The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-03-23

those around him, and be stirred by the same
sympathies and warmed by the same impulses
For the enforcement of the truth all genius and
learning and originality can find sufficient scope
in the gospel. The same gospel suits all classes.
Workingmen and merchants alike can partake
OF 1T together. The services were presided over
by Rev. Dr. Adair the Moderator PhiladeL-
phia Times Of the 1871.
In the West Forty-fourth Street United
Presbyterian church, New York city, Rev. w.
N Richie, pastor, special services have been
held for the past two weeks, and already there
are over fifty conversions. The meetings still
continue, and the pastor is assisted by one or
two evangelsts, also by some of the ministers
of the city.
We clip the following items from the Phila-
delphia Presbyterian;
We learn that quiet but effective work of
Gods gracious Spirit exists in the First Presby-
terian church of New Brunswick, n j. of which
the Rev. W. ]. Mcknight, D. D.. is pastor.
At communion Sabbath March 9th, thirty
seven members were added to the church.
thirty three of them by profession of faith in
the Lord Jesus and four by letter. number
of these were from the Sabbath School. The
Lords Spirit seems to have made efficacious the
regular services of the church as conducted by
the pastor and his people. The only other SER
vices held were one sermon by the Rev. H. G..
Hinsdale on week night and two on Sabbath,
February Goth, by the Rev. DR.. Murray, both
of Princeton, who came of the commit
tees appointed by the Presbytery of New Bruins
wick to visit all its churches during the winter
which sermons helped forward the good
work. Others are still earnestly seeking ths
Lord, and Christians are praying for many con-
verts
The communion was administered on
Sunday morning, March 9Th, in the Columbia
Avenue Presbyterian church, Philadelphia, the
Rev. William II. Hodge pastor. AT this service
there were added to the church eighteen new
members. ten by certificate from other churches
and eight on profession of faith Since Decem-
Der lst forty three persons have united with this
church.
We are glad that the vacant pulpits in
Philadelphia are filed up. The Rev. Mr..
Northrop has come to the North Tenth Street
church; Rev. Mr. Heberton to Kenderton
church. Tioga street Rev Mr. Mcintosh to the
Second church; Rev. Dayton Roberts to the
Temple church; Rev. Mr.. Robinson to the
Fourth church Rev. Mr.. Skillman to Tabor
church; Rev. Mr.. Cullss to German Street
church. and Rev. Mr.. Sharpe to Hestonville
church. The Old Pine Street church. South
church, West Arch Street church and Alexander
church are still pastorless
At the Walnut Street Presbyterian
church, Philadelphia. (Rev. DR.. S. W. Dana
pastor,) thirty -four new members were received
last Sabbath, sixteen on confession of faith and
eighteen by letter from other churches The
additions to this church for the year have been
seventy two, and its present membership is six
hundred and seventy three.
The Average Ministerial least ninety
FIVE per cent Of our churches must be supplied
by average preachers, if at all. There are a
few positions of special responsibility for which
God has raisedup small percentage of eloquent
men. We rejoice in this. We want these men
to be where they can be most useful. But now
if some average church insists upon having one
of those men and succeeds in securing him, what
is the result? 1t cannot keep him long, for
there are larger and more important churches
that will want him. And when he goes away
]
preaching the congregation will run down, and
there will be a sad reaction. Better for the
average church to call the average minister,
and to esteem him very highly in love for his
works sake, than to try to get one above the
average, and not to be able to keep him-Prcs-
| byterian.
The rapid and healthful growth of
the Eighth Presby terian church, Chicago, shows
what energetic, faithful work can accomplish in
few years In June, 1877, Rev. John M
Worrall, DID,, was called to the pastoral charge,
when the congregation was greatly depressed
and discouraged by reason of a debt of $l7,500
which had been hanging over it, The roll of
members then numbered 271, so weakened by
removals and other causes that it seemed diff
cult to pay off the debt-whicb, in fact was not
done till it had increased to $4,000 But
through the skilful lead of the new pastor, who
set to work in dead earnest, this burden has
been removed while $40 members have been
received since he came making the present
actual membership AS, with an average attend
ance in the Sunday School of 800, and on the
roll $50. Besides this the church has a good
mission school in a distant part of the city. fulv
organized and at work, under the direction Of
its own efficient Board of Elders and Deacons.
/ DR.. Worrall stands in the first rank of efficient
working pastors and is deaervedlv adnirad os.