The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-04-14
NEWS FROM THE CHURCHES
Southern Presbyterian.

Southern Presbyterian.
Norfolk Va.-For nearly seven years past
the session of the Second church has carried on
a mission work in suburban village called
Atlantic City, in which place the church owns
handsome brick chapel and two acres of ground
Most of the time, in addition to the Sabbath
School and week day evening preaching SER
vice, there has been service each Lords day
in the chapel conducted either by the elders or
the pastor. No other religious services are held
in the place besides those conducted by this
church. There are not less than four hundred
persons of all ages and classes embraced in that
field, and the pastor of the Second church (Mr.
Woods has never been able to give to them
any thing like the amount of personal attention
necessary to their spiritual welfare. The erec-
ton of large cotton mill, now in progress, and
the promise of considerable influx of popula
ton caused thereby, have led the church to
make effort to secure for that field minister
who shall devote his whole time to it and an
other field in the country just beyond it. The
other field referred to is only three miles dis
tant, and embraces large number of well-to.d
truck farmers, who are largely destitute of rel-
gious privileges. The Rev. A. E. Grover, late
pastor of the Presbyterian church in Shelby
vile, Tenn, has been secured for these fields,
and has already entered upon the work The
experiment is to be tried for six months, the Sec
ond church guaranteeing the salary of Mr.
Grover without either asking for outside help
or withdrawing its contributions to the general
work of home missions. If these fields show en-
couraging results, and give promise of growth,
churches will be organized in them and min
lister will be permanently engaged for them
Eastern Shore of Virginia -Powellton
is neat little village in Accomac county, Va,
situated in full view of the OCEAN, Just ten miles
south of Drummondtown thecounty seat. Rev.
John G. Anderson is pastor of the Old Mackenzie
church, situated at the county seat and carries
on a fourshing mission work at Powellton
This village, it may be added, is only ten miles
from Belle Haven, the village in which Presby-
terian church was organized and neat house Of
worship erected last summer and to which Rev
R. d. Stimson, of Northampton county, devotes
one half his time. There are only few com
municants of our church residing at Powellton
but the country is thickly settled in that vicinity
with people who are to great degree destitute
of religious privileges and Mr.. Anderson finds
no difficulty in securing large audiences when
ever he goes there to preach
Quite recently Mr.. Anderson conducted a
series of meetings in this field, assisted by Mr.
Stmson of Northampton, and Mr.. Woods of Nor
folk. Deep seriousness characterized these meet
ings, and great good was accomplished There
being no church of our faith there, no one was
received, but quite number will Join us as soon
as church can be organized. The result of the
meetings has been the stirring up of that com
munity generally upon the great question of per
sonai religion, and the fixing of their attention
and purpose upon the speedy erection of a
Presbyterian chu-ch in their midst The way
now seems clear, with little aid from outside
to go forward, and it is reasonably certain thai
before the end of the summer we shall have
one more church and house of worship on tn,
Eastern Shore People of means who are look
ing for place whereon they may wisely be
stow their aid will do we'll to confer with Mr.
Anderson.
Randolph County w. va.-The Tygart,
Valley church at Huttonsville has lately beer
graciously visited Of Gods Spirit, who in His re
viviiyng and regenerating influences has mos
slgnally proved His continued presence anc
power in His church. For some months past 3
solemn interest has been apparent in the con
gregation, and attention 10 the preached WORD
has been serious, and in many cases, anxious.
About the middle Of February special service,
were commenced. A prayer meeting was con
Quoted by the elders of the church. immediately
after this the pastor preached, and an enquiry
meeting followed. This continued for about
two weeks during which the congregations were
large and devout, and religious concern took
hold upon many. Quite large number availed
themselves Of the enquiry-room, and many re-
Joced in a salvation applied TO their souls.
1t was, however, deemed wise to postpone the
reception Of members for month to afford time
for calm reflection. Accordingly the communion
was celebrated March 2lst, with preparatory
services Friday and Saturday At this time
twenty two persons were received upon profes.
sion Of their faith and one by letter. Of these
several were baptized non communicates. while
The major part previously sustained no such re-
lation to the church. Several of these persons
were heads Of families, and there is reason 10
believe that in homes where hitherto God has
been forgotten, He is now devoutly worshipped.
] Family altars, neglected in too many Christian