The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-11-03
For the Central Presbyterian.
NARRATIVE
OF the State of Religion in the Bounds
of the Synod of Virginia

the following report:
Narratives prepared with commenda-
bic care from the Presbyteries of Abing-
don, Montgomery, Roanoke, East and
West Hanover, Greenbrier, Lexington,
Winchester, Chesapeake, and Maryland
have been placed in the hands of the
committee, from which information is
gathered upon the following points:
l. The preaching Of the a0ord of God.
With but few exceptions our churches
have enjoyed the ministrations of pas
tors and stated supplies with regularity,
and by Gods blessing the Jealous labors
of these, his servants, have been crowned
with an encouraging measure of success.
Fidelity to the pure truths of God, and
to our time-honored standards as the
faithful expression of that truth, has
been and is distinguishing characters
tic of our ministers, and cases of defec-
ton from the plain doctrines of grace,
as set forth in these standards are hard
ly known among them. Permanently of
relationship, as between pastors and
congregations, is becoming appreciated
and harmony prevails to degree which
is highly creditable to our ministers and
their respective charges. But few
changes are reported and those are
most beloved who cease not to declare
faithfully the unmixed truths of divine
authority
2. Tile attendance on the public
means Of grace on the Sabbath is, in
general, good, whilst in some cases there
is lamentable lack of interest in meet
| ings for social PRAYER.
3. The holy Sabbath of God is treated
in many Of our congregations with in
creased honor, but there is much need of
deeper sense of its sacredness, and a
correction of abuses and profanations in
social visiting and travelling on secular
errands. Placards and advertisements
of Sabbath-day exercises in secular pa
pers show that temptations are album
dant, and professors of religion are
sometimes involved in this crying sin
and shame. Pastors and church sessions
owe it to God and the honor of religion
to watch this evil with jealous care.
4. Sabbath Schools are now, more than
formerly, taken under the care of church
sessions; teachers are selected with more
prudent discrimination, and give more
attention to their own qualifications.
Normal classes for teachers are growing
IN favor. The conversion of the pupils
in our Sabbath Schools is more a direct
aim, and an increasing number of addi-
lions to the churches from these schools
OF the church is reported. In many of
our Sabbath Schools regular contribu-
tons to the various objects of Christian
benevolence are encouraged, whilst the
habit of iberality is thus early cultiva-
ted and established
5. Christian 6enefce1ace among orr
congregations is becoming more matter
| OF conscience and of system, and the va
rious departments of church work are
better understood and more regularly
sustained. There is, however much
reason for improvement in this regard
and if all oar people could be brought to
appreciate the duty and privilege Of hon
oring the Lord with their substance thew
would reap a rich blessing in their own
souls, and all Of our church enterprises
might be well sustained in their present
plan of operation, and these plans great
ly enlarged.
6. The subject Of popular onausemeats
demands careful investigation. There is
not room, IN paper like this, to discuss
this subject; but this much may be ap-
propriately said, that some Of the widely
prevailing forms of popular Amusement
if not positively sinful IN Themselves, as
many of our people believe-are, as often
INDUCED in, of eU5J tendency, and should
be avoided by those who profess a gepa-
ration from the world unto Christ.
Christians are called upon to avoid the
appearance of eviL and to abstain from
courses Of conduct in respect Of which
they may feel a liberty Of conscience, in
order to avoid giving offence or an occa-
sion for stumbling to others
z. Family a0or8hip It is painful to
find in the reports from the sessions
coming to us through the Presbyteries-
that the high and holy duty and privi-
lege is, to any crte,1t, neglected in the
households Of any Of our people. Such
neglect is plainly sinful, and is most
solemnly rebuked in Gods Word.
8. Pastoral Support. It is with sor-
row that your committee find evidence
in the Presbyterial narratives that the
! pledged support Of not few Of our