The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-11-05
NARRATIVE
On the State of Religion in the Bounds
of the Synod of Virginia.

Of the Synod Of Virginia.
The Committee on the Narrative beg
leave to report as follows: Ten out of
the eleven Presbyteries composing this
Synod have reported on the state of reh-
gion within their bounds, No report has
been received from the Presbytery of Sac
Paula.
From the statements made in these re-
ports it appears that there is foundation
for deYout thankfulness that the lives and
health of the ministers of this Synod
have been so largely preserved: that har-
mony has prevailed with but few excep-
tons in all the churches that there has
been favorable and encouraging in
crease in the average attendance upon
the ordinances of public worship: that
there has been some increase in the num-
Der Of churches contributing to the be-
nevolent objects of the Church. that
there has been growing interest in the
Evangehstic work: and that there are
fewer vacancies among the churches than
hitherto,-the Presbytery of Winchester
reporting that all of her thirty-three
churches are supplied, and West Hanover
reporting, also, no vacancies. Seven
churches in Lexington and FIVE in Win
chester report that they have been great
ly refreshed, and Roanoke makes men
ton of several churches in which there
has been special work Of grace. Mont
gomery Presbytery reports one church
as having been organized for colored peo-
pie Lexington reports that there has
been an increase of several hundred dol
lars each, to the cause of Foreign Mis-
sions and Sustentation over last year, and
a favorable increase to all the other OBJ
iects. of benoyolence. The Sabbath is
generally observed among our people
with a good degree of faithfulness And
Bible classes and Sunday Schools are es-
tablished in most all of the churches.
The above results call for an express
sion of gratitude on our part. But there
is a reverse side which. cannot but evoke
regret and sorrow, and which demands
humiliation and confession in many parts
of our Synod. Several of the Presby-
teries report that there are very consider
able arrearages due to pastors and stated
supplies that the contributions to benev-
client causes and for church purposes,
have fallen short and that as a conse-
uuence of this latter, some of our church
buildings and manses are going to decay.
One or two of the Presbyteries lament
the slimness of attendance upon the pray
er meeting, and great derehction in the
important matter of family worship. To
the last mentioned is attributed the fact
that many of our young people are led
astray into ways Of ungodhness because
of the want of the wholesome restraint
of family religion.
One Of the Presbyteries pointedly states
that the elders, in the majority of
churches, seem to neglect the important
work of family visitation, by which the
hands of the pastor might be held up,
their own efficiency and usefulness in
creased, and the work of the Lord pros
pered.
From the above general statement it
will be seen that there is cause for min
gled thankfulness and regret. Encour-
aged by past mercies and the favorable
symptoms of spiritual life existing
while reused to action by the recital of
failure and neglect of duty-let us send
up fervent petition to the great Head
Of the Church that He would send His
spirit to quicken our faith, and so help us
to realize by outward acts our cherished
belief of vital union with Him.
CHARLES WHITE, Chairman.