The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-10-26
NEWS FROM THE CHURCHES
Southern Churohes.-( Continued from LIST
page.)

congregational meeting. presided over by Rev.
j. j. Cooke, was held last Sabbath after morn
ing services to consider the question of electing
pastor The meeting had been called before
the death of DR.. Robinson, and at time when
his early departure was not expected. And
some of his old friends felt that it too soon
after his death to vote for successor. The
unanimity of the congregation. in the circum-
stances, was remarkable. Two hundred and
fifteen votes were cast on the first ballot for
Rev. John w. Pratt. D. D.. and only twenty
three against. DR.. Pratt has been supplying
the pulpit with very great acceptability for sew
.eral months, and been steadily growing in the
affections of the congregation He is a preacher
of extraordinary power, and will be cordially
welcomed. should he see his way clear to accept.
AT the same meeting a committee was appointed
to draft paper expressing the deep sense of
the loss sustained by the congregation in the
death of him who, for more than twenty years,
had sustained the intimate relations of loved
pastor.-Christidn Observer
Hopewell Church. Tenn.-Rev. w. L.
Rosser sends this good news: 1--WE had a good
meeting at Hopewell church, EN- bracing Sep
TENDER oath, to October I'd. Rev. G. A. Rus
and JUNCTION. There were twenty -one profess
ions, and the church was refreshed and strength
ened."-I6.
Northern Presbyterian.
Mission Work at Home-The Eleventh
Annual Report of the Presbyterian Board of
Home Missions is document to be studied.
Every pastor ought to make himself familiar
with its facts, figures, and principles Twelve
of the Boards missionaries have died in the
year Fifteen thousand dollars more than in
any previous year have been received by the
Treasurer.
In the last ten years the immigration to the
extreme west has surpassed everything that has
transpired before. Minnesota has increased its
population rs per cent Montana, SO per cent :;
Kansas, 267 per cent and Arizona, $50 per cent.
1t is estimated that not less than 1900, 900 i'm
migrants have made their homes west of the
Mississippi during the past year Kansas has
increased her population by 631 ,O0O and Texas
by 100000, and Dakotah Territory by 10000
and the most of it in the last two years.
Nebraska has nearly quadrupled her popula-
ton, Oregon has doubled hers and Colorado
has increased almost FIVE fold.
Last year FIVE hundred and eighty-six thou
sand foreigners came TO our shores to find per-
manent homes. This number, if they have
gone to the frontier would make 1900 congre
cations of $50 each, which is much larger than
an'average frontier congregation.
The Board wants money, and, more than
that, it wants men. These are tremendous facts.
~. Y. Observer.
Mrs. DR.. Talmage has Bible-class of 200
ladies. She is said to be bright, intelligent
woman, and very fine Bible teacher.
The number of students now in attendance
at Lane Seminary is forty-but one less than
last year.
We have heard SO little about " fraternal
relations" for the last few years that we are
somewhat startled when the familiar words
suddenly reappear. This time the subject has
been stirred in the South Notice was gwen in
the Presbytery of North Mississippi, at the
spring meeting that a resolution would be
presented to Presbytery asking it to overture the
General Assembly TO take measures to bring
about fraternal correspondence with the Pres
byterian Church North The Northern Church
Is quite ready for this, and always has been
ready.-Presbyterian
(The Southern Church has always been ready
for this. The only question is about the terms
OF fraternal rrespondence.-EDs CEN. PRES. J
The Rev. Thos. n. Skinner, DID,, pastor
of the Second Presbyterian church, Cincinnati,
has signifed his acceptance of the Chair of The
ology to which he was elected by the Directors
OF the Seminary of the Northwest at Chicago.
Rev. DR.. Crosby, speaking in religie us
assembly last week, inveighed with great but
merited severity against the use of Meyers
Commentaries, which, he said, were tn oroughly
rationalistic and exceedingly injurious to young
preachers.
The Theological Seminary of the
Northwest, at Chicago has an attend
ance of fourteen students three of the Pro
lessons, Rev. Drs. L. ]. Halsey, Herrick John
son, and E. 5. Curtis are busily engaged Rev
DR.. Skinner has accepted the Chair of Theology
and will enter upon his duties about the first Of
November; Rev. DR.. Craig has accepted the
Chair of Church History DIR. Marquis has de-
cllned to accept the Professorship of New Tes-
lament Greek for the present, and DR.. Halsey
will discharge the duties of this chair during
this session Mr.. Mccormick literally guarantees
the erection Of residences on the seminary pro.
perty. The Interior pronounces this equivalent
to frst-class sunrise on the Rigi."
The Presbyteries OF the United Pres.