The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-05-04
NEWS FROM THE CHURCHES.
Southern Presbyterian.

Second, and Grace Street Presbyterian churches
To the First church Or Preston's) four persons
were added by examination and FIVE by certif-
cate; to the Second dr.. Hoge's) eighteen by
examination and eight by certificate; and to the
Grace Street (Dr Read's) four by examination.
Charlottesville. va.-On Sunday, April
23d, Rev. 81. M. Houston preached in the Pres
byterian church missionary sermon. The con
gregation contributed $l75 to Foreign Missions.
Bethel Church. Craig County, Va
On Sunday. April Oath, at congregational
meeting of this church, Rev. w. R. Coppedge,
who has been supplying it for several years,
was elected pastor. An elder and deacon
were elected at the same time. The people are
showing unusual zeal. and the church is growing
Ashland Church. va.-Divine grace has
blessed this little church. There are seventeen
persons about to unite with its membership. Its
prospects are bright and encouraging. There is
an increasing interest among those who wait
upon the mnistrations of the pastor, Rev. w.
Frost Bishop. He is much beloved by his peo-
pie, as an able and careful expounder of the
Word and an eloquent preacher. He is es
teemed by the community for his warm and ac-
tive sympathy, his genial and generous nature
"In wit a man. in simplicity child"
A series of lectures on the book of Job, deliv-
cred on Sabbath nights, attract large and inter
ested audiences. 1t is pleasing to note the Incl
dent that the pastor recently received an ele-
CANT silver Tea Service. in Tifanys latest de
sign, as gift from one of the Elders of his con-
gregation as token from himself and his lady,
of their appreciation of his merits
AT a congregational meeting of this church
held on the 18th ult it was deemed necessary
to have two additional Elders. Upon vote
being taken the majority were cast for Messrs.
James A. Scott and R. H. Cardwell who will
no doubt accept and be ordained at an early
day. *#*
A Mission Sabbath Scool.-Last sum-
mer, at the request of their pastor, Rev. VIM. T.
Price, two young gentlemen and three or four
ladies conducted mission Sabbath School at a
point few miles east of Rawley Springs, Va
Among the foothills of the Shenandoah that
skirt the Valley, there is secluded settlement
consisting of dozen or more families, almost
totally deprived of religious advantages. Their
subsistence is mainly derived from variety of
occupations splitting rails, making shingles,
cutting hoop-poles, peeling tan bark picking
berries. and coopering. The school numbered
near fifty pupils, old and young, and marked
Improvement was made in their studies. The
pastor preached here few times, and his heart
was greatly drawn towards the people, During
the months of October and November continued
services were held by him almost nightly for
five weeks, without any ministerial assistance :;
but he was very efficiently helped by the teach
ers. About thirty persons of all ages, manifested
special interest, sixteen of whom have applied
for admission to the Presbyterian church. Com
paratively few of the older people can read, and
while there was much singing and expoundng
of the Scriptures, but few hymns were sung and
but few passages of the Scripture were taken up
The oftener hymn was sung or pertinent
portion of Scripture repeated and commented
upon the more interested the people seemed in
the singing and preaching.
This pastor also conducted series of meetings
at the New Erection church for three weeks. in
November and December, which were inter
rupted by the snow and brought to a sudden
conclusion. Thirteen persons were known to be
interested. During these services two excellent
sermons were preached by Rev. S. w Watkins.
Five OF these persons were received at Sacra-
mental meeting few weeks since, when Rev.
j. B. Converse was present as ministerial assist
ant to the pastor, Rev. w. T. Price.
Attendance upon the meetings among the
foothills was with much inconvenience. and
some risk Of personal safety at times, especially
on cloudy nights. One night the pastor was
about to make arrangement to sleep out in the
woods, when colored person, perhaps "pos.
sum hunter" incidentally passed near with a
pine torch, which enabled him to find the path
from which he had wandered in the intense
darkness
At the close of these meetings the pastor felt
refreshed in spirit and body In the effort to
lead others to Jesus he reviewed the first princi
pies of the gospel as patiently and carefully as
if learning them the first time himself, and the
influence is marvellous upon ones own spiritual
interests
QU1NSrMoNT, w. VA, April 18th, 1881.
Messrs. Editors,-Please ACKNOWLEDGE receint
OF following contributions for the benefit of
Hinton and Coal Valley churches: Gen. John
Echols, Stanton, Va, $40; Rev. s. R. Preston.
Blacksburg, Va, So of the "Tithe" fund Miss
Mary ]. Baldwin Augusta Female Seminary
Va, S. Ladies Missionary Society. Buffalo
church, Va, through Miss Bessie Hunt, $3.50.
Rev. Alexander Sprunt and Mrs. Sprunt Fort
De6anca 70 Fr;ond 10 H. a.. >, NJ