The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-07-03
The Baptist Meetings.


Church. which was as novel as interesting
and marks near departure in christia
labor which we trust will result in gref
benefit to the participants and prove a
example that will find worthy lmmitatio
among other denominations. For some tim
past the question of missionary work anon
the blacks has been prominently DISGUISE
at the various conventions Of church mem
bers, and the desirability of more closel
uniting these people with the whites i
church fellowship has occupied the attentio
of some of the most eminent divines of tn
State. Not long since Bishop Kaene, of Rici
mond, inaugurated the work by severa! pow
erful sermons, and followed them up by wei
directed efforts which brought many int
the fold of the Catholic church. AT the las
meeting of the Lexington Presbytery tn
subject was preached and favorably consid
cred, and other denominations have take
steps in the same direction. The Baptists
however, were the first to bring forward TIN
movement in the most practical shape. whel
at its assembly held some weeks ago it wa
proposed by DR.. Manly of this city and Rev
Mr.. Pitcher of Covington to assume the mi
tiatve in general meeting of all the white
and colored ministers of Baptist churches il
Augusta, Allegheny, Albemarle, Bath, Rock
| ingham and Rockbridge counties, to be helt
in Staunton. Asstated in the letter of these
two gentlemen, the object was ''to promote
mutual acquaintance and interest among oul
churches, resulting in more active enterprise
in all our work, and especial in further ing
our UNCONVENTIONAL influence throughout the
territory named." - The plan thus proposed
found ready approval, and the work was COM
menced in the white Baptist church of this
city on Thursday morning last. The pro-
gramme of the various services was publish
ed last week, and. as then stated, it was ar
ranged that meetings should be hel in the
white and each of the two colored Baptist
churches of Stanton. These services were
participated in by the white and colored
ministers of whom the following were pres
ent Whites Rev. Solomon Funk, Of Rock
ingham Rev. W. S. Perry, Bridgewater :;
Rev. J. NJ. Pitcher. of Covington Revs. J. Fl.
Taylor and G. E. Fry, of Augusta; Rev. W.
A. Abrahams, OF Goshen Rev. Chas. Manly
of Staunton. Colored; Revs. 7. L. Jack
son and G.. W. Elliott, OF Lexington; Rev.
c. Fl. Payne, OF Hinton Revs. Milton How
ard, s. NJ. johnson, and r. Banks. Of Angus
ia. Rev. B. l.. Jones, Of Waynesboro and
Revs. r. H. Porter ard Wiley Simpson of
Staunton and B. A. franklin, of Lewisburg.
The Introductory sermon was preached in
an able manner by Rev. Solomon Funk, OF
Rockingham and the permanent organization
was effected by the election of Rev. j, NJ.
Pitcher, of Covington, as moderator, and
Rev. B. A. Franklin (col) of Lewisburg as
clerk.
The most interesting part of the first
days proceedings was the pastors reports of
the condition and number of their charges.
DR.. Manly reported membership of 440,
including few colored. lev. Solomon
Funk, of Rockingham, and Rev. W. S. Per-
~, of Bridgewater, made favorable reports
OF their work and success. Rev. c. F. Fry
reported South Bottom Sunday School and
Church as being Gourahng, the congr ga
ton numbering 100 against 60 three years
ago. Rev. j. II. Taylor, OF Laurel Hill,
gave in 40 members, and a prosperous |
church. He also has charge of a church at |
Mount Crawford, numbering 60 members -
Rev. W. L. Abrahams, OF Deerlield, report
ID IS members, and IS at Craigsville. Both
churches &rs proGpering. Rev. P. Swami
exported good results from his efforts at
Goshen, and in Bath and Rockbridge. Rev.
+. M. Pitcher, of Covington, reported IS
members, IS at Healing Springs, 81 at Sha-
on, and 40 at Aowmqor. Mr.. Hqndley,
of the Sunday School at
1undley's Mill, which numbers 90 members,
rave an encouraging account of the work.
The largest membership was reported by
Rev Il. L. Jackson, {col.) OF lexington
lis congregation numbers $50, and upon
ne occasion he baptized lis persons. Rev.
/. w. Elliott, (col) of Lexington. reported
membership Of $50 members. His church
) only four years old and organized with 45
Members, Rev. p. II. Porter, (col.) of
taunton, reported the number of his con-
regaton at 500. Services were also held
t the Federal Cemetery. "Sistersn prayer
MEETINGS and sunrise prayer meetings are
mong the services. Rev. Wiley Simpson,
,ol.) of Stapnton, whose church was organ
sed some six months ago, with member
hip of only reported So active members
nd an encouraging prospect. Rev. B. S.
ones, (col) of Wayneshoro. reported lsa
lembers, and 1872 members at Hilsboro,
-lbemarle. ''Sisters" prayer meetings form
part Of the services in his church. Rev. i.
go. 3. Howard, (col } Of Harrisonburg, re-
orted $50 members and new house OF
orship. His congregation in Page county ,
cached 1870 members. Rev. L. W, Carter,
ol.) of Newport, Augusta county, reported ,
active members who are building =
ew church. His charge at Port Republic
umbers 81. Rev. C. Ii. Payne, tcol) of |
linton, W. Va, reported that he labored in '.
ayette, Monroe and Summers counties with
'ccess. Rev. B. Banks, (col) of Fisher
lie, reported 70 members, and 60 at his
her charge in Abemarle. Rev. B. A.
rankin, of I.ewisburg, W. Va, report ed y
members, and 80 at Anderson. Rev. Mil Z
n Howard, (col.) OF Augusta, made favor
lie report. =
The meetings were continued Thursday l.
ght and Friday and Saturday, and the
lestions set for discussion as announced in fs
e Published programme Of last week, were h
ly handled by both white and colored n n
lnisters. They were all Of deep and inn a
rtant interest, and their presentation by K
e various gentlemen showed how carefully II
ID thoushifully they had been studied. 1t P
rprised many to hear the fine arguments, lie
bust thoughts and choicelanguage of some +
the colored ministers. g
The entire proceedings were characterized n
the utmost harmony, and we feel sure 7,
at much good will result. The next meet. !
2 will be held subject to the call of the or V;
mixers of this movement, DR.. Manly and =
:. Pitcher
We regret that " clnnot in this issue de- nj
te more space to the proceedings OF this &C