The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-12-31
NEWS FROM THE CHURCHES
Southern Presbyterian.

The Post-ofice address of the Rev, George L.
Wolfe is changed from Charlottesville, Va, to
Van Buren, Arkansas Mr. Wolfe writes us
that he has Just begun ministering to the two
churches of Van Buren and Alma, in the Pres
bytery of Arkansas, and directs us to send him
the indispensable CENTRAL"
The following officers were elected for the
Brunswick church brunswick county, East
Hanover Pre8bytery) on the 21st of December,
1879: Ruling Elders-Jacob NJ Flounoy Pc
ter NJ King, and William H. Rawlings Dea-
cons-Reuben B. Hicks, James Rawlings, and
B. B. Wilkes, Jr Their ordination was ap-
pointed for the third Sabbath of January. There
have been eight accessions to this church since
the 1st of October
s4Sop or MIssIssrrrI. -Tbo Committee on
the Narrative reported the following, which was
adopted
The Committee on the Narrative Of the State
of Religion in the bounds of the Synod of Mis-
sissippi, beg leave to make the following report
1t is a call upon US for special thankfulness to
Almighty God that during the year the lives Oi
most of our ministerial brethren have been pre-
cious in his sight. -Four have been called home
to their reward A kind providence has gra-
ciously protected us from the threatened return
of the epidemic Of last year. Peace and hamony
have reigned throughout our bounds.
Most of our churches enjoy the stated minis
trations of the preached gospel. Preaching has
been characterised by increased earnestness.
There is a decided increase in the attendance
upon public worship, with many indications OF
a growing interest among the people in hearing
the word. And while there has been no extra
ordinary outpouring of the Spirit, many churches
report large ingathering of souls-some as many
as forty or fifty additions; almost all have had
more or less accessions The churches in the
Teche country of Louisiana, so sadly ravaged by
fever and storm, maintain their growth and pros
perity. An increase of 80 per cent. in the mem
bership is reported in the churches Of n. Orleans
Presbytery, along the line Of the jackson Rail
road. The new and aggressive work among the
seamen under the charge of Rev. A. ]. Wither-
spoon, gives evidence of much fruit, and the un-
dertaking bids fair to produce happy results upon
the men WHO go down to the sea in ships
Our congregations, most of them, are growingin
morality and knowledge Yet there is sad
want of ministers in some quarters, both to oc-
cupy fields already organised and to reach out
into new fields where the people are anxious to
to have chuHhes formed. Many of our churches
are going to waste for want of stated preach
ing. A large number have no Sunday Schools
and in many where there are schools they are
small Others report them as houriShing, and
that many therein taught are experiencing the
converting power of the Spirit. Our Sunday
School interests have not declined..-Southern
Presbyterian.
The ladies Of the Presbyterian church realized
last week for the manse fund the sum of $l20
by the sale of fancy articles at their Bazaar,
which was held at theresidence of Col. Venable.
On Thursday evening next, an effort will be
made to still further reduce the debt on the
manse, (which is not very large, by the volun-
tary offerings of the congregation, all of whom
are invited by the pastor to visit the manse on
the evening of New Years Day, and bring with
them in a sealed envelope such contributions as
they may feel disposed to make for that object.
Charlottesville Chronicle
The Rev. W. E. Baker, pastor of the First
Presbyterian church of Staunton, preached three