The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-01-07


mode of division to be proposed, let them be
proposed, let them be brought forward"
The new Presbyterian church in San Antonio,
Texas, the corner stone of which was laid by
Rev. DR. Bunting in 1855, and which has re-
manned in unfinished condition about twenty
four years, is at last completed and dedicated to
the service of God 1t is built of limestone, and
cost $4,000. 1t has had many reverses and dis
couragements, and when Rev Mr. Neil became
Its pastor in 1872, was struggling under debt
of several thousand dollars, which rested upon
its unfinished building. Under his pastorate that
debt has been paid the building has been com
pleted, and the church is now in a thriving con
dition.
Other Churches.
Dr. Howard Crosby, of this city, is giving
course of lectures before the theological students
of Yale College, on Preaching. In one of them
he pricks bubble which has taken the eye and
fancy of great many people. He says: Young
preachers who go to the stage for an example
of manner or utterance, are on the high road to
ministerial ruin, although they may make a
newspaper fame. The stage. actor is etymologi-
cally and classically the hypocrite, and has, so
far as he is a astage-actor no sympathy with the
preacher and his solemn duties. He will teach
the foolish preacher who goes to him for instruc-
ton poses, gestures, tones, and grimaces, that
have no more to do with minister's person
than Hamlet or Romeo has to do with his
theme. ."-EUangelist
Just as our paper went to press last week we
received the news of the death of Dr. George w.
Coan, the venerable and beloved missionary from
Persia, so well-known in our churches as well
as in the field where he labored so faithfully
during large part of his life He died on
| Sabbath evening, December Dist, at his home in
Wooster, Ohio, his long life of usefulness and
arduous labors sweetly passing away He leaves
widow and two sons, who have the prayers of
the Church in this sad hour, and the sympathy
of wide circle of frends-Ib.
CoLoRED CHURCHES SoUTH-The Narrative
of the State of Religion within the bounds of the
Synod of Atlantic which Synod includes most of
our colored churches in the South and was re-
! Gently IN session at Charlotte n. c., is a cheer
ing document. 1t was drawn up by the Rev
NJ. A. Hopkins member of the last General
Assembly-and is short and to the point, as all
such papers should be. In contrast to what oc
CURED elsewhere in the Church during a portion
of the time covered the year was more fruitful
IN conversions than any preceding twelve
months. The statistics have evidently not been
as carefully kept as they should be, but it is
stated that during the present year ! 1877 per
sons have been added most Of them on examina-
ton and 46l infants have been dedicated to the
Master in baptism" This last number would
have beenup to the previous year record but for
the want Of opportunity on the part of both
parents and pastors" This being So the con
clusion drawn is very legitimate, that thus our
Sunday School work has a glorious outlook for
the future"
The Synod feels the need Of being brought
more closely into contact with the Church at
large, and committee was provided for by re-
solution " to see if some plan cannot be devised
by which the Presbytc ian Church of the United
States of America can be made more thoroughly
acquainted with this work and its wants. SO that
the contributions can be increased and the whole
work enlarged, and especially the Svnod's
schools be endowed Dr. Allison, Of Pittsburgh
was presentin behalfofthe Assembly's committee
and gave assurances of increasing interest on tho
part Of the chuchos-Ib.
The NJ. f. Church has now in Mexico over
300 members on probation, and more than 900
attendants on public worship. During 1873 the
mission press issued over million and quarter
Of pages Of tracts books, and periodicals. There
are fifteen native Mexican preachers and twenty
preaching places
Three members of the organization known in
England as the Salvation Army" have come
to this country, and commenced holding services
IN Philadelphia. Their meetings are largely at
tended, and numerous conversions are already
reported. They expect reinforcements from Eng
land
The clerks report at the recent annual meet
ing of Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, showed
that the present number of members on the roll
IS 2,52l as against 2515 at the close Of the pre.
ylous year. The total receipts from all sources
during the year were $65, ,365.84
The first Bishop in the American Episcopal
Church was the Rev. Samuel Seaburv D y
Bishop Of Connecticut lie was consecrated at
Aberdeen in November. 1884 by three Scot
hsh bishops, namely KiIgour, Petrie. and
Skinner. The American Episcopal Church
though she is one with the English Church in
doctrine. discipline, and worship-thouph too
she claims double succession-vet she is indeli.
bly, stamped by Scottish influence. saws tho
Scottish dWcricg5J L,,,.,,gJ al ILL -