The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-08-17


quest to Presbytery that he should become
their pastor The warmth of their greeting.
after the pastoral tie had been established. was,
very interesting and significant of strong afsc-
ton and real pleasure.
The New River church stands on the Mac
adamized road, nine miles southwest of Chris
tiansburg and three miles from New River. IL,
is substantial brick building.
The chapel lately erected near New River is.
neat wooden building 1t is very convenient
for the Sabbath School and for prayer meetings
and other services at night. At Central Depot.
on the Norfolk & Western Railroad, three niles
from New River church, where a part of the.
congregation resides, Mr.. Ochiltree breaches
once month.
This field previously occupied and faithfully
worked by Rev. ]. K. Harris, who rode frorr
Floyd Courthouse, thirty miles to meet his ap-
polntments there, presents several aspects that
promise growth and enlargement. 1t has am
intelligent and excellent band of working Chris
tians, male and female, extends over beautiful
country along the banks of New River. and
embraces varied population among whom
there will, we hope, be gathered rich fruits of
faithful pastoral labor
The railroad, now well advanced in construc-
ton, that is to connect the Norfolk & Western
line atNew River Depot with the Chesapeake &,
Ohio at hinton, begins in this vicinity, at New
River Bridge The distance between these two
points is sixty miles. A branch of this road is
projected which will run into Tazewell county
to develop rich mineral resources there.
Hitherto transfer from the great south west
ern line of Virginia to the Chesapeake g. Ohio
or western line, has been difficult. Many
grand commercial results are anticipated from
this link soon to be found, as the bringing to-
gether of the coal of one section and the ores &
another But there is an ecclesiastical conse
quence which is important in its bearing upon
the question of dividing the Synod of Virginia.
The facility of communication about to be es
tablished between Greenbrier Presbytery ON IL G.
Chesapeake q Ohio line and the two Presbyte
rles OF Montgomery and Abingdon on the
Norfolk d Western, will remove one of the,
principal geographical difficulties that have
formerly beset this question: while at the east
ern end OF Montgomery Presbytery the Rich
mond d Allegheny, and Shenandoah Vallev
Railroad are bringing Lexington and Mont
gomery Presbyteries near together When all
these lines are completed the advocates of di--
vision will have fair and open field for argu--
ment; and unless sentiment proves to be more
invlncible than interposing mountains the old
Synod will separate into two or three each O. e
which will have members and scope enough s0
develop vigorous youth.
The improvements on New River are pro
gressing slowly. The money used was appro-
priated by Congress, the object is to make the
stream navigable for STEAMBOATS, from tn q
Kanawha to the Lead mines of Wythe, and
other numerous manufactures from mineral
substances now in operation or yet to be starteda
on or near the stream
New River is study for the student of physI.
cal geography. 1t flows on the plateau which
IS really the top of the Allegheny range. tt
has a mysterious and unfathomable depth, in
one place at least, which suggests the idea thar
its waters find outlets at the base of the meun-
tain and in support of this view it is said thas
there is more water in it in the vicinity Of New
River Bridge than there is at Hinton, sixty
miles below p r
Pulaski County, Va.-The Joint annual
communion of Presbyterians in Pulaski COUNTY
was held with Dublin Depot church, Rev
L. N. Naff, pastor, on the 9th Sabbath Of July.
Sermon on Saturday, A. NJ, was, by assignments.
preached on Presbyteriansm and Calyiuisrn
how they differ" by Rev. w. E. Hill. From,
a ?. M. to o'clock, two papers on 1.-THE bess,
means of raising pastors salary promptly" ,"
were discussed, and afterwards referred to sonn-
mlttee to report at next annual meeting.
Tithing' was also before the body conn
posed Of Elders (ruling and teaching) and Dea--
cons, but did not 60 behind it, for want Of time.
and preparation upon the part of the (rulingD
Elder assigned to open. 1t was unanimously
decided to continue these Joint communions, ana
July was selected as the month, the place ana
days to be selected by committee. A commit
tee TO prepare programme was also appointed,
and it was decided that the collections taken Up
at these meetings be appropriated to Domestie.
Missions.
At night, Rev. 1. N. Naff preached good SEP
mon on the subject assigned him, to wit ~TRs
scepticism Of the times and how 10 meet it y ta,
a large and interested congregation. On Sab
bath morning an interesting sermon was preach
ed TO full house by Rev. G.. H. Gilmer. on
Christ our Sympathetic Priest" The commuD
ion was administered by Rev. W. E. HilL as
sisted by Rev. ]. M. Humphreys. After com
munon Rev. Mr.. Staples, Secretary of the Vir-
rffr,f 10 III IL