The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1878-05-15
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
EAST HANOVER PREsBYTERY.

FREDERICKSBURG. Va, May 4, '78.
Oily few days ago, the April meeting of
East Hanover Paesbytsry ended its session
in our town, and have thought some brief
account of last Sundays services may be of
interest to your readers, especially as several
Richmond ministers off ,iated in our church
es; and the Bible Society of Fredericksburg
held its annual meeting in ST. Georges
church on Sunday afternoon, at which were
gathered all denominations and their pastors,
and addresses were delivered by Rev. Drs
Hoge and Preston of your city.
Upon such occasions at this, it is especial
ly pleasant to note how potent becomes fra
ternity of faith and sympathy of feeling
among different congregations and differing
COmmunions Recognizing zone God, over
all, they also illustrate "the unity of the
Spirit, in the bond of peace" The Presby
terian church was crowded night after night
during the week, by all classes of citizens,
earnest, intent listeners. On Sunday morn
ing, Rev. DIR. T. L. Preston, preached in the
same church to large congregation, from
Genesis xxi: 1, God did tempt Abraham
and in that wonderful Bible story of the pa
triarch's three days journey to Mt. MOriah
to obey Gods command in the sacrifice of his
only son, Isaac, pictured with thrilling power
and pathOs and rejoicing, the trial of faith,
the triumph of faith, and Gods tribute to
faith. In response to an invitation rendered
by the unanimous vote of the vestry and ur-
gent desire of the rector and congregation,
Rev. DR.. M. D. ROge preached in st.
Georges Episcopal church. His audience,
the largest assemblage of the morning; his
subject, Repentance, Luke XIV: Z; and his
sermon described by devout Episcopslian
as the most eloquent ever heard, certainly by
the hearer, who added, He preached from
the depths of bis own heart and it went to
the very depths of mine. Such apprecia
ton, for it was as unanimous as sincere,
shows not only the power of oratory but the
power of the gospel, of the truth, whose elo-
uuent presentation reaches all Christian
hearts with overcoming, enGghtening, fervent
realization. Doubtless to many of his hear
ers, the simple form of Presbyterian worship
was most unaccustomed, but DR.. HOge was
made to feel as completely at home as if he
had been of the same communion, and our
Episcopal brethren enjoyed to the utmost
their pulpit privileges of the day. The beau
tiful illustration used in his evenings sd-
dress for the Bible cause, was opposite in
many ways, appealing to the universal in
stincts of humanity and to the higher princi-
pies of Christianity, when describing one OF
those grand frescoes that adorn the walls Of
the Vatican, he painted in glowing words the
three figures, Charity with the little children
in her arms and clinging to her robe, Hope
with eyes lifted hesVenward in joyful expec-
tation, and both leaning upon Faith whose
arms are clssped around the dear, sad Cross
The Bible Society meeting in the after
noon was attended by very large assembly
and conducted by the minister of the differ
; ent churches, all denominations being gath
cred together and all united in one common
interest, the spread of the Scriptures in Oul
community and adjacent counties. Rev. DR.