The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-07-07
ESPoN ENCE.
DR.. Plumer at Montgomery Female
College.

CHRIsTIANsBURG, Va, June 80, 80.
MeSSrS. EditorS,-We have lately had
a short but delightful visit from that ven
cradle and beloved man of God, DIR. Will
liam S. Plumer He came to preach the
Commencement sermon before the young
ladies OF Montgomery Female College,
and few who saw and heard him will ever
forget the man or his message. The large
audience of seven hundred and more,
which. filled the Presbyterian church,
listened with breathless attention as this
patriarchal preacher plead with the
youngto remember their Creator in the
days of their youth The text was Eccle.
xii: l, and the sermon, which, for the
most part, was delivered by the Doctor
from his chair, was in his own inimitable
style; simple, direct, incisive, and very
solemn. The closing hymn, most ftly
chosen, was Rock of Ages" and the
great congregation sung it with spirit
and power in keeping with the impressive
occasion. A scrap or two of historical
incident may be appropriately added
here 1t is local indeed, but of general
interest because of its connection with
this venerable minister DR. Plumer was
here once before nearly forty years ago.
1t was in October, 1912 The Rev. Mich
olas Chevalier, Of precious memory, was
then pastor of the church here Early
in the preceding September communion
services were held. The pastor was as
sisted by the Rev. Robert Glenn Mr..
Glenn was man of remarkably fine pull
pit abilities and preached with great
power. The meeting continued from the
2nd to the 9TH of September five days
and Gods Spirit was poured out. Nine
or ten persons made profession of faith in
Christ, and many more were awakened.
On the 18th of September, special services
were again held This time the pastor
had the assistance of the Rev William
Cunningham, of Lexington, think. -
About the same number of persons made
profession of faith as at the former meet
ing. The whole community was now
pervaded by deep religious feeling
which was slow to abate, SO that on Tues
day, October 21st, it was thought best to
resume special services. DR. Plumer
came to preach, and for five days he
preached with great effect. He says that
he has never seen greater outpouring
Of Gods Spirit AS he went back he
preached at Big Lick Fincastle, and per-
haps at other places, and Gods Spirit
accompanied the word as preached by his
servant, with great power, at those places
also
The Circuit Court was in session here
at the time of DR.. Plumer's visit, and was
adjourned every day at the hour of preach
ing that the lawyers and others attend
ing 1T might go to church. Judge Brown
OF Wythe county, now dead, was holding
the court. He was an irreligious man,
but was much impressed by the first in
the series of DIR. Plumer's sermons. which
was from the text, (Ezek. xviii: A., Gall
souls are mine. The morning after he
heard it, while sitting in front of the
hotel with some gentlemen, one of the
young lawyers came out and spoke dis
paragngly of Dr. Plumers argument in
the sermon The Judge no sooner heard
him than with considerable warmth he
said, Any man who says that argument
was not true, complete, and unanswerable.
is unfit to practice at the bar of any
yourt Then addressing several nem-
bers Of the bar around him, he added.
You, gentlemen, may do as you please
but 1t is my purpose to adjourn court at
o'clock that may have the privilege
Of listening to this eloquent preacher
again.
1t was at this same meeting that the
Hon. Robert Craig, then and for many
years the representative from this dis
ulct In Congress, was awakened. and pro-
iessed his faith in Christ Just after the
meeting began he started to take his an
nual deer-hunt, but his heart had been
touched and he returned. DR.. Plumer
was invited to dine at his house, and dur
ing their conversation took occasion to