The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-09-15
CORRESPONDS CE.
Letter from Nashville, Tenn,
NASHVILLE, Sept. 9, 80.

NASHVILLE, oepG. ., OO
Nashville celebrated her centennial
this year with nearly $4,000 inhabitants.
Her population has nearly doubled since
the last census, and by 1890 she is likely
to report half as many more. Large and
handsome buildings are in process Of erec-
ton on all the principal streets. Her
rapid growth is due not only to her large
and increasing trade and her manufac-
turing interests, but also in large degree
to her extraordinary educational advan-
tages. In no city in the South is the
public school system better managed or
more thorough. The old University, in
a certain sense, survives in medical and
normal school, and in the Montgomery
Bell Academy, of which Virginian is
prominent teacher. The Vanderbilt has
gathered "men of renown" from every
direction. Wards famous female school
trains wives by the hundred for the grad
yates of the other institutions The Ro-
manists have several large seminaries,
and there are two fourishing universities
for colored students. These and smaller
establishments, of well-deserved fame,
make the city an educational centre. .
Some enthusiastic citizens anticipate for
her the title of "The Athens of the
South, and that eventually she will be-
come 1.-The Hub"
Ten years ago there were in the present
limits of Nashville two Southern Presby-
terian churches, three ministers and $50
members To-day there are six church
es, seven minister's and 1900 members.
This splendid increase is due not only to
ministerial faithfulness, but to an enthu-
siastic body of Sunday School workers
who every Sabbath gather more than a
thousand children in the various churches
and missions.
Ten years ago the First church had a
membership of about four hundred =
Since that time she has colonized north,
south, and west, and reports nearly dou-
ble-733-the largest membership in our
communion with the one exception of the
church of DR.. Palmer, which goes to the
seven-forties. After the losses by
colonization, &C., DR.. Hoyt is permitted
to rejoice in me- gain of two hundred
during his pastorate of seven years. A
portion of this increase has been gathered
in the missions. Such visible results
speak for themselves, but are not surpris-
ing to those who know the activity of the
minister, the zeal of the officers and Law
members, and last but not least, the eff
cheney of those women who labor in the
gospel, which last suggests that the
music is simply exquisite. 1t is not ne
cessary to apologize for speaking of this
important church, as there are none who
know her past history and the sainted
names associated with her, who will not
rejoice to learn that she is still a power
in the city, in the State. and throughout
our whole connexion.
Besides the pastor of this church, the
well-known Evangelist of the same name
lives in Nashville The latter is ortho-
graphically distinguished by silent E.
the only silent possession he can boast
DR.. j. w. Hoyte The success which has
attended the efforts of this very able min
lster, is extraordinary. He has gathered
in hundreds during the last few months.
and wherever he has visited for years,
there has been quiet, splendid ingath-
erIng. He has been especially blessed
in connexion with that large class who
are near the kingdom, but are so hard to
be moved to take the final steps. He has
no plans, no measures, no anything, but
SIMPLY to carry on the work of the pastor
IN pleading Christ, and inviting men to
accept Him. The name Of this min
lster Is introduced because it is believed
he could be induced to visit us here in
Virginia, and because it is also believed,
that if he came, his work would be blessed
here as elsewhere. While the writer
shares with many Of his brethren an in
tense opposition to the whole system of
lhnerant reyivalists, and all kinds of
measures, he believes there are those who
sow and those who reap, And where