The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-07-07
NEWS FROM THE CHURCHES.
Southern Presbyterian.
Visit to Princeton Church, w.

Visit to Princeton Church, w. Va
Princeton the county seat of Mercer county, is
thriving little town of 800 or 400 inhabitants.
We have an organized church there of fifteen or
eighteen members and two Ruling Elders. 1t
is under the care of Montgomery Presbytery,
and the only church. believe, in the Presbytery
not supplied with regular preaching
We have, as yet, no house of worship. All
denominations worship in the Court House The
Methodists and Baptists have built a union
church, but it has been standing there nearly a
year unoccupied on account of the inferior work
manship and the consequent refusal on the part
of the committee to receive it. The Presbyteri-
ans were solicited TO unite in this union church,
and take fourth part but they preferred not to
do so in the hope that after while they could
build a house of their own. Indeed three or
| four years ago they were in a fair way to get a
house. Most of the money, labor and lumber
necessary to build it were subscribed and part of
the money paid in, but too many masters put a
stop to the Lords work. They could not agree
on a lot, and consequently the scheme fell
through But they have by no means abandon.
ed the idea of building a Presbyterian church ;
and they think that the time has now come to
revive the work. Consequently, while I was
there we appointed a committee to look up the
funds and subscriptions already received and So
licit new ones. Hope Gods people throughout
this Synod will respond literally to the call of
this little scattered flock so anxious to have
house of worship of their own, but not able in
themselves to build it.
Our beloved Church has lost ground bv not
occupying that field FIVE or six years ago with
an energetic, Jealous worker Even now if we
could Locale and support such man among
them, the prospect of building up fourishing
church would be encouraging. A great many,
young and old, are members of no church at all,
and Presbyterianism stands fair with the maori-
ty of them. began a meeting there Thursday
night and closed 1T Sunday evening The attend
ance was good, Notwithstanding it was in the
midst of wheat harvest. One good sister,
widow lady, came thirteen miles Sunday morn.
ing to preaching, (would have come Saturday,
but was prevented while one of the Elders.
who lives seventeen miles away, came Saturday
morning and stayed for the afternoon service
Sunday-then went home that evening q
Such zeal is worthy of imitation How little
we, who have preaching every Sunday, or twice
month, or even once a month, appreciate our
privileges For true Presbyterian to be de-
prlved of his own preaching is like turning him
out like Nebuchadnezzar TO eat grass like the
OK" He almost starves for the pure word"
These good people had not seen or heard a
Presbyterian preacher since last August. How
delightful for the pastor to 60 out from home oc
caslonally, where many Of his flock are spiritual
| dyspeptics from much feeding and little digest
ing, and he worn out from much preaching and
no resting, and gather together the scattered of
Christs flock among the mountains where they
are without shepherd, and see with what relish
the thirsty soul drinks the life giving draught of
Gods word, while JOY looks from every eye and
love flows IN every heart. Yet many of our
churches '0ho are supplied NTH preaching eveyy
! Sabbath are so selfish, and have so little concern
about the spiritual welfare of others. that when
their pastor desires to visit these destitute fields
there Is dissatisfaction and grumblng; and per-
haps the Session will absolutely refuse to give
their consent for him to go, Let them starve
provided we are filled we have paid our preach
er for his fuH time, and he has no right to de.
prive us OF it. Thus they try to Justify their
selfshness under the garb of Justice. The crown.
| '"o N'iNOiCO WHICH, CuIlsI gave 10 JOnn the
Baptist of His divine mission was, "The poor
have the gospel preached unto them" But the
thing seems to be reversed in our day, and the
rich have the gospel preached unto them and
the poor must do without except as they can
pick up few crumbs which fall from the table
of the rich. The point which make in all this
is, that Mercer, and all other similar destitute
fields of such promise, ought to have preaching
| oftener than once or twice year, and the more
favored churches ought to deny themselves some
thing to accomplish this end
JtLy lst, 1890. w. B. ARRowooD
Lexington Presbytery resolves not to
dissolve Rev. ]. A. Prestons pastoral relation
with the Pendleton church.
called meeting of Lexington Presbv
terry was held in the Second Presbyterian
church. Staunton, Va. June 20. Rev. Frank
Gaines, Moderator, and Rev Alexander sprunt
clerk pro tem.-for the purpose Of considering
call for the pastoral services of Rev. John A.
Preston, Of Pendleton w. Va, rendered him
by the Presbyterian church at Salem, Va
The elders representing Mr.. Prestons congre.
tions in Pendleton read very earnest protest
before Prosbytery against that body granting
the dismssion asked for, representing that a