The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-04-07

than hundred had presented themselves,
ninety-seven of whom, including ten by letter,
had been received, and were this day to be ad-
mitted, by covenant TO church fellowship. in
the number were the two sons of the pastor,
Rev. A. Psrke Burgess. 1t being Easter Sun
day, the ladies had tastefully decorated the pull
pit and platform with variety of foliage plants
and flowers. including profnsion of calla lilies
one of which was SO placed that the large pure
blossom lowered like dove just above the font
The day was gloomy and inclement without,
but radiant and joyful within the spacious we'll
filled sanctuary. No sermon was delivered. but
the pastor, after the usual Introductory services
and brief remarks respecting the nature and
uses of the two ordinances about to be admins
tered, proceeded to baptize the fifty two Of that
newly converted company, who had never re-
ceived the rite. This was varied gronp, rang
ing in age from childhood to past middle life.
Several were heads of families And as one by
one they came silently forward and kneeled at
the font, fearful eyes all over the house wit
messed to the solemnity of the scene, and the
deep interest felt in the service. Then followed
the covenant, and when that goodly company
rose to their feet, it was indeed an impressive
testimony to the power and preciousness of the
Cross. For there were some who had once
professed to be infdels; there were business men
of talent and influence; there were singers from
the choir, all of whom are now converted there
were two daughters of DIR. Aumock principal
of the Academy; and there were many from
the old and beloved families of the Church.
many from the Sabbath School and not few
who were till lately unfrequent in their attend
ance in the house of God. Two from the Roman
Church, and one from the Lutheran Church of
Sweden, were of the number. Perhaps never
before were there so many in that loved sane
tuary, to unite in fellowship around the Lords
Table Rev. A. Cooper assisted the pastor in
the duties of the day, he has in many ways
during his residence in the place
There are besides these considerable number
of converts, fruits of the special revival interest
who will doubtless be received at the next com
munlon In June. This church has nearly 400
members; Sabbath School which reported last
Sabbath 3O9; young peoples Sabbath afternoon
and Thursday evening prayer meetings, well
sustained; Ladies Aid Society Womans
Home and Foreign Missionary Society a Girls
Guild for missionary work and a Cameron
Band, No. 2, contributing to the support of Miss
Cameron's work in Afrioa.-N Y. E1angeyst
Other Churches
Brooklyn.-At the Easter service at St.
Mary's Protestant Episcopal church. at the cor
ner of Classon and Willoughby avenues, the
Rev. DIR. Johnson found upon one of the contri
button plates which had been turned over to
hlm, package containing the sum Of $4,000.
1t was gift of Seymour l.. Hustled, PRESIDENT of
the Dime Savings Bank of Brooklyn 1t was to
wipe out the debt of the society. There was no
debt on the church, but there was mortgage to
the amount named on the.rectory.
GTowth.-Fourteen years ago, when Bishop
Clarkson went to Niobrara and parts adjacent
there were four (Epscopa) churches. seven cler-
gy, and fewer than two hundred COMMITMENTS
In that extensive field Now there are within
the same limits, 50 churches, 54 clergy, and q
800 communicates
Mr.. Muller heartily endorses Moodv's work
IN Great Britain. He says he has recently Wis
tied all the chief cities in England and Scotland
where the American evangelist labored, and has
carefully inquired as to the permanent results of
his work. He is satisfied that tens of thousands
were converted through the simple preaching of
Christ by that man whom God has honored and
whilst some may have fallen away. the great
majority stand fast in the Lord. The evanpeli-
cal ministry of Great Britain sowed the seed
The evangelist gathered the harvest
Joseph e. Brown, of Georgia has placed
in the hands of Rev J P. Boyce, Treasurer of
the Baptist Theological Seminary of Louisville
$4,000 for the endowment of a professorsbip
1t is the intention of the faculty to add to this
and to make a special endowment fund of $3.50
oOO for the support of professors.
The Decline of Unitarianism.-A morn.
ing daily paper, in commenting last week upon
the recent Unitarian Conference in this citv said
that nobody had any facts TO give which showed
that Unitarianism was marching on in New
York; that neither here nor elsewhere was IL a
progressing body and that instead of being
vigorous and expanding, Unitarianism seemed
now rather declining than advancing In proof
OF this, it noted that in New York Unitariapism
is now nething like the vigorous plant that it
was quarter Of a century back, or even before
When DIR. Bellows came here, more than forty
years ago there were two Unitarian churches in
the city, and there are still only two with the
addition Of a Harlem chapel which, az Dr. Bel
lows said in opening the Conference, had for