The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-06-08
NEWS FROM THE CHURCHES
Southern PRESBYTERIAN.


Installation.-By appointment of the Pres
bytery of Montgomery, Rev. W. R. Coppedge
was, on Sabbath, May Goth, installed pastor of
Bethel church. Ministers performing the SER
vice-P. B. Price and R. X. Moseley.
Bethel is in Botetourt county, Va. about
eighteen miles northwest of Fincastle. Craip's
creek runs through the section in which the
congregation lives. 1t is peculiar and some
times formidable stream, flowing from mountain
to mountain, enclosing in it's windinps much
excellent land, and many beautiful views. Dur.
ing the season of drought, when we saw it its
waters SO transparent and attractive. were deep
er than they seemed; and while the farmers
sighed for rain, we were glad to escape time
OF nigh water at its numerous CROSSINGS II
seems to deserve its former name of Crooked
River more than that of a Creek. The mine
raj resources of this region are noted, and the
proht which is in view from their further de-
veiopment is attracting attention to them. The
richmond & Allegheny Railroad is only fifteen
miles from the mineral centre-the old Grace
furnace, and the southwestern railroad. if
built will probably pass through it.
In this secluded valley we found hospitable
people and warm hearted Christians, Methodist
ana Presbyterian; among whom it would have
been pleasant to sojourn for longer time
AS Bethel congregation has no house of wor-
snip but school house, the kindness of their
Methodist brethren in lending theirs for the oc
casion, was gratefully appreciated, as was the
warm interest which they manifested in the SER
wees morning and evening, the latter being at
the school house.
Mr. Coppedge, for some time. stated supply
seemed, by his installation, to enter more deepiv
into the affections of his people, among whom
are some jealous coworkers.
Inc illness Of one of the two Elders Mr.
Joseph Hannah, saddened the hearts of his mas.
tor and flock, but did not repress the svm.
pathy with which on his sick bed he encouraoed
all who were actively engaged. A new Elder
Mr.. Samuel Reid, has been elected, and would
have been ordained if the Elders of the Session
had not been provdentially absent.
The grouping of churches, recommended So
often by our Committee of Home Missions and
the General Assembly is illustrated in this case
1t Is desirable as a system by which feeble
churches are maintained and destitute fields re-
claimed But if there are any who theoretically
praise and recommend the plan without due
consideration of its practical working, they have
much to learn of the labor, toll and privation OF
study, to which their brethren are subjected
and Of the sad effects Of the falling off in the
number of our candidates for the ministry, sug-
gesting continuance of this system
Besides Bethel, Mr.. Coppedge is pastor Of
Catawba in Roanoke, and Sinking Creek in
Craig county, and stated supply of New Castle
at the county seat of Craig. In this wide field
forty miles long and Proportionally wide, there
are constant demands for preaching at inter.
mediate places, and for three sermons on the
Sabbath, with long rides between.
Rev. w. M. McPheeters, the only Presbyte-
rian minister in Franklin county, in the same
Presbytery, is pastor Of two churches, and
breaches at sixteen places.
Rev. W. B. Arrowood, our only minister in
Giles county, is pastor of three churches and as
far as Presbyterianism is concerned, is bishop of
the whole county, with Mercer county, where
we have feeble vacant church as asupplemen-
tary field, sending up Macedonian cry from a