The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-12-22
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

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The Oldest congregation here was that of Reho-
both, In Maryland about 1890 and the first
Presbytery was in Philadel phia in 1905. The
first ministers on record preachers and founders
of churches Were Francis Mckenzie and John
| Hampton-the former from North Ireland. the
| latter from Scotland-both of whom were sent
hither by body of London Dissenters to ex-
pound the Gospel They settled on the eastern
shore of Virginia, near the Maryland border,
and preached wherever people would listen to
them. From the formation of the first Synod
| Q7l6) in Philadelphia the body grew by emf
grations, not only from Scotland and Ireland but
from Wales, France, Switzerland, and Holland,
while it was also strengthened by New England
ers, who were induced by various reasons to
enter the denomination. Presbyteries have been
very busy for $50 years in keeping the doctrines
of the Church pure, and they still continue their
labors with the utmost diligence and zeal. In
1888 the American Presbyterirn Churches were
united, and thirty years later a General Assem-
bly, was instituted. The congregations then
numbered 4l9 and the ministers lSS Their in
crease was rapid, for in 1854 there were % Syn
DDS, III Presbyteries and some 1000 ministers
A scheme of union between Presbyterians and
Congregationalsts was devised in 1901, and
hundreds of congregations were formed by it in
several of the States. In 1888 the Church
was divided into the Old and New School, the
former holding high Calvinistic and the latter
somewhat modified Calvinistic doctrines but
they recombined in 1869.
On THE CONTINENT OF EUROPE.
On the Continent of Europe and in Switzer
land the Presbyterian Church remains substan-
TALLY as it was organised by Calvin. In Ger
many the elements of Presbyterianism still ex-
list in the Reformed Church." which claims
fellowship with the Presbyterian Church in
America. In the Netherlands Presbyterianism
brought from Switzerland in the time of Viii.
liam, Prince of Orange, found a congenial soil
and at this time four ffths of the Protestants
OF the Netherlands are Presbyterians The
historic members of this Church in France are
Huguenots, baptized by blood in the massacre
of st. Bartholomew. In Austria, Hungary
Pennsylvania and Russia many Presbyterians
have found home-HeraLd and Presbyter
-Messrs. Reveillaud and Dodds of
the French Protestant Deputation addressed
large congregations at the Madison Square Pres
byterlan church and the Broadway Tabernacle
on Sunday last, and on Monday night went to
Boston on the invitation of the Rev. Phillips
Brooks and others, for the purpose of addressing
a meeting in Holy Trinity church on IuesdaT
evening. They returned here to fill an appoint
ment to speak in the Marble church (Dr. Ormls-
tons) last evening Wednesday,. To day and
to morrow they spend in Philadelphia, and re.
turning to this city for Sunday, they have ap-
polntments to speak in the church of the Gov
enant (the Rev. DR.. Marvin r. Vincents) in the
=. Cuthbert Halls) in the afternoon, and the
French Episcopal church in West Twenty-second
street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues REV.
M Wlttmeyer rector) in the evening. Mon
day, goth. will be devoted to a brief visit to
Washington. The final meeting, perhaps it
should be styled reception, In honor of the
Deputatlon. Is called at Association Hall on
Tuesday evening call to this end having
been signed by Drs. R. s. Storrs Crosby. Tavlor
Hitchcock, Ormiston, Prime, Field. Mr.. Will
liam E. Dodge, and others. Dr. Storrs will pre-
side, and the occasion will doubtless prove one
OF very unusual interest Wednesday. 22d
these beloved brethren sail for France Ey1n
gelist.
In the Old World the English spar
row builds only in old walls, the ivy. covered
ruins, the old thatch of houses and stacks: but
never, so far as known, in trees. On their in.
PRODUCTION to America, they found no old ruinss
no thatch and little ivy and verv few circum
stances such as they had been accustomed To-
But 1t is wor noting that necessity is the
mother OF invention in birds, as we'll as among
human beings, If, indeed, they are not gifted
with the power of choice to an extent thew have
not been credited with. About the public
squares OF Philadelphia they took to BUILDING
nests In the trees last year Thev were sorry
looking structures, to be sure-such botches as
men might make of their dwellings in the early
history oil the race. They were mere bundles of
straw to wipe his muddy boots No doubt. if
they keep on, they will improve for bird in
It's nest architecture shows generally a taste for
the beautiful which we have all thought to be
instructive, but which, judging by this sparrow
experience, may have been in measure ednca.
tional. Even the swallows could not have
built in chimneys till the white men came here
Independent.
Archbishop Purcell, of Cincinnati
tailed about two years ago, and his liabilities
were stated to be about 100000. Not one
cent OF this immense Indebtedness has vet been
PAID and there are many of the creditors who
VIII go to their graves without seeing anv of
the money which they entrusted to the Arch
bishop. 1t is the most stupendous ecclesiastical
failure ever known.
The Congregatio1saJist says :-"Word
has Just come that one hundred Jesuits. elected
from France, have been sent to Constanti1onle
doubtless to cripple the work of Foreign Mis-
slohs. one year ago the American Board
published It's plan of work for Umzila's country
Before 1t could carry out this plan the Roman
catholic Church had sent its emissaries there
ana to Bihe, where they have already created
serious trouble"
"A MINIATURE ENGINE.-A Meriden
matchmaker has completed small steam engine
weighing only fifteen grains. The works are Of
silver, and three drops of water are enough To
keep them in motion twenty minutes.