Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-10-04
1.-THE Ninlttatnt.
FRIDAY MORNING. OCT. 4. 1878.
Local
Religious Intelligence.

Local =.
Religious Intelligence.
LEXINGTON PRESBYTERY-ORDINA
OF REV. MEsSRs BOOKER AND PRES
ToN--INsTALLATION BAPTIST
QUARTO-CENTENNI EPISCO-
PAL CHURCH,
&C., &C., &C.
The largest called meeting of Lexington
Presbytery ever held in Augusta county
assembled in the Second Presbyterian
Church, on Friday morning last, to or
dain Mr.. James E. Booker. licentiate, to
the ministry. At the same time Mr.. Jno.
Preston, licentiate, who has been called to
Pendleton county, w. Va, and happened
to be in this vicinity. presented himself
for ordination also. There were present
Rev. E. Jun kin, d. D., Rev. D. B. Ewing,
d. D: Rev j. Rice Bowman, D. D., Rev.
B. M. Smith, D. D., and Rev. Messrs.
Moffett, McCutchan, Gaines, Thomas,
Richardson, and Rosebro Rev. j. II.
Murray, of Bethel, presided as Moderator,
and Rev. r. II. Walker, the Stated Clerk of
Pfesbytery, WAS in his seat. The eXamina-
lions of the candidates, which were con-
Quoted by Rev. DR.. Bowman, were salts
| factory, and Oh Friday afternoon MIR.
| Booker preached his trial sermon. That
night MIR. Preston preached his trial ser
mon, ter which both candidates were or
dame to their high office, by the laying
on OF hands Of the ministers present, i'll
the manner prescribed by the Church Form
Of Government, and the Gu tom Of the
| Apostles
Rev J. W. Rosebro and Rev. G. S. M.
| See were then appointed, with Rev. Sam1
| McCune and Rev. j. Rice Bowman, D.
D., as alternates, to install Rev. John
Preston, III Pendleton county.
INSTA LLATION OF REV. JAS. E. BOOKER.
On Saturday night Rev. MIR. Booker was
installed at his church. Rev. ]. W.
RoSebro preached the sermon, at the con-
clusion OF which the pastor came forward
from the congregation, and standing before
the pulpit answered atirmatively the
usual questions, whether he was willingto
take charge of this congregations; whether
his taking charge was Influenced by a de-
sire to promote the glory of God and the
good OF His church, and whether he pro-
missed faithfully to discharge the duties of
his office, and to be careful to maintain a
department in all respects becoming a
minister of the gospel of Christ. The con-
md 10 Ici n o.
the right hand, the usual questions, as to
whether they willingly received the new
pastor, would encourage and uphold him
in his Office and give him competent
worldly maintenance.
Rev W. I. Richardson then delivered the
charge to the pastor in an earnest and I'M
pressive manner. With men in every profess
sion even the humblest and obscurest, God
has to do, but especially has he to do with
men who preach His gospel. The PASTORS
life should be the nearest to Christ, and
one Of the closest cooperation with Him.
He could cooperate with Him even
more closely than the angels do, for he En-
Jers into the very office that Christ has
made honorable and glorious by his own
labors therein. His aim should be above
that of any other calling. The ministry
| is not entered for position or WEALTH. is
not trade which man may adopt to
| earn his bread. 1t is entered with the one
great object of winning souls to Christ,
and he who loses sight OF this will fail of
hrs reward. That is the chief and eX-
hpr fn WI, hi FOL
| be used. Like Paul, his ''heart's desire
and prayer to God must be for the saving
or souls. He need not tremble for the
result. God would take care Of that. If
the minister but have faith God will bless
the means used. and he that goeth forth
weeping shall return, bearing his sheayes
with him.
Rev. DR.. Bowman then delivered the
chan sc to the people, making the word
mutual his text. The people should
take care THAT every duty of the pastor
found d co-rtlative one Oh their part. II
is the pastors duty to study and more
and more fit himself for his place. that his
preaching shall be such as will not only
edify them. but will interest and attract
| others. This being SO, they should afford
| him such worldly support and in such man
ner as will enable him to study with free
mind. Secondly, they had invited the
pastor as a ruler, and he charged them
that, III the Lord, they submit to him.
Third, he urged them not to forsake the
ASS milling OF themselves together. When
your pastor is here it is your duty to be
here also. The duties are co-relative. 1t
the pastor were to O1ier such excuses for
absence as are given by members of his
congregation it would be an absurdity
Imagine your pastor giving as an excuse
for not coming here that he bad sick
headache, and y'ur finding that it WAS not
bad enough to keep him from attending
another church And yet there is not
one excuse that is good enough for you
that should not be good for him. a small
audience is no encouragement TO a4miiiis-
ter, but ID small audience from large con-
gregation is. Remember to take need
hoto you hear the gospel You ought to
prepaie Yourself for hearing it, and one
prepar ito is always to be there. Some
times minister is preaching ''at,' OF
rather for the benefit of certain persons
and it is very discouraging to go to church
and not find those certain persons there.
I GU must assist your pastor by informa-
ton. How Can he know that your child
is concerned about religion unless you tell
him Your child may be sick. How is he
to know that ? 1t you stand by your pas
tor he can be great blessing to you.
DR.. Bowman then declared Rev. J. e.
Booker duly installed as pastor of the