The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-11-09
Report on Evangelistic Labor

Report on Evangelistic Labor
Presented to the Synod of Virginia at its
meeting in Petersburg, Va.
Your committee has had more difficulty than
usual In obtaining reports from the Presbyte.
ries, and after due diligence, have failed to re-
ceive written reports from two Presbyteries.
Reports and other testimony showed that
much has been done by the Presbyteries and
that yet much remains to be done. Our progress
has not been commensurate with either the
Church's resources or the extent of her destitu
ton. There is evidence of increased apprecia.
ton of this work. but we think that it has not
been made to occupy that prominence to which
its real Importance entities it,
THE WORK IN THE PREsBYTERIEs.
Abingdon still employs one evangelist, Rev.
j. G. Carson. Two points heretofore under his
care have now been grouped with established
churches under pastor. Three whole counties
are without the stated ministry This Pres
bytery could proftably employ six evangelists
Chesapeake has no evangelist and has notn-
ing of interest to report to Synod.
Greenbrier has two evangelsts and has or
ganized FIVE churches Another evangelist is
needed along the line of the c.. & o. r. The
houses that can be commanded for worship are
borrowed from other denominations, or are pub
lie school houses or private residences. Owing
to the nature and extent Of this field it is impos,
sible to build houses of worship that will be
suitable to any considerable number of com
municants. One of the eygngelists has gathered
scattered elements enough out of his field to or
ganize church. Other points are growing un-
der his labors. Presbvtery is unable to supply
the remote points without neglecting those
nearer home yet so great is the demand from
other parts of our Church that Presbytery does
not deem 1t advisable to ask the General Assem-
bly, for aid
Lexington employs FIVE evangelists and has
held its own and made some progress.
Rev a. IL. Price gave his time to this work
half his time to evangelistic work in Bath coun-
ty. Rev. Robert Scott still labors in Randolph
and parts OF Tucker with prospect of an organ
ization soon. Rev. w. S p Bryant labors in
Tygarts Valley, Rev. F. ]. Brooke, in Barbour
and IN Tucker. The two last named are trying
to make female schools, over which they exer.
else some general supe vision, auxiliary to their
ministry. new church building is in process
of erection-at Millboro depot and at Huttons-
vile. Two have been built in Pendleton.
Montgomery has no evangelist and works
mainly under the sustentation plan Five
brethren are really doing the work of evange-
lists Mercer county Is unoccupied In Floyd
we have one minister and one organization.
In that part of Franklin lying in this Presbv-
sixteen preaching points. Craig has one min.
lster and three churches; this minister labors in
Botetourt and Roanoke counties. Many church
buildings are In progress of erection at different
points. third church has been organized in
Lynchburg Our colored Presbyterian church
at Lynchburg, the only one identified with our
Church IN this Presbytery, is not in a satisfac-
tory condition This Presbytery is getting along
very well In general evangelistic work
Roanoke has an evapoaliet Do, y L.
in Charlotte and Halifax counties. Lunenburg'
long vacant is now regularly supplied Sew.
eral churches now vacant trying with every
prospect Of success, to get pastors The princf-
pal evangelistic field lies in Patrick and in parts
of Henry, Franklin, and Pittsylvania.
Presbytery is using ali means to induce it's
churches to give largely to the evangelstic fund.
a larger number of them than heretofore have
contributed to this fund
West Hanover has one evangelist Rev. Thos.
ID. Bell D. D., in parts of Albemarle Fluyanna.
and Nelson. The results of his labors have
been strengthening weak churches and steady,
increase OF Presbyterian influence. One church
was organized in Albemarle county with 81
members Only one church is now without a
pastor. Presbytery engages all its ministers in
evangelistic work The general result is that
every minister endeavors not only to care for
his own charge, but to extend his labors to other
fields
Winchester has two evangelists, Rev. ]. w.
Walkup and Rev. J. @. Sherrard. The evan
gelistic field occupied by Rev. W. S. Cosner was
vacated by the death Of this most estinable
brother, November 18th, 1880. Presbytery has
spared pains to find successor for this be-
loved man of God, but at this time it has not
succeeded. Page county is still unoccupied,
though growing in importance
To the Home Missions Committee is entrusted
the duty Of supplying all vacant churches and
destitute fields. Presbytery has an evangelistic
committee whose duty it is to make temporary
arrangements for occasional supply Every
pastor is practically an evangelist. Every
church is either supplied, or is in fair way Of
being supplied soon. Our churches contribute
pretty generally to the Tuscaloosa Institute for
the education Of colored ministers.
Maryland-Ihis Presbytery employs no evan