The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-11-08
For the Central Presbyterian.
Narrative on the State of Reli-
gion in the Synod of Virginia.

leave to submit the following report:
l. The Presbyteries generally report
tavorably concerning the official fidelity
of pastors, ruling elders, and deacons
Some of them, however, call attention to
the fact that ruling elders, to compare
lively limited extent use their office for
the spiritual oversight of the flock in the
matter of pastoral visitation. 1t is Just
to some of them to say, that this is not SO
much question of choice with them as
of necessity. Many of them, also, do an
important work in the prayer-meeting
and in the Sunday School
2. Very few of our churches are with
out stated ministrations of the Word. In
most of them, moreover, the services of
the sanctuary are well attended.
3. Within the limits of none of the
Presbyteries has there been any general
or widespread revival of religion, so far
as by this is meant large increase of
church membership at given periods. A
few report seasons of special interest in
some of their churches, with happy and
encouraging results. One speaks of the
past year as year of spiritual dearth
Others, again, while referring to crafty
ing indications of steady, gradual
growth in certain directions admit that
the general outlook is one calling for
profound humiliation before God, with
everywhere the prayer, Help us oh God
of our salvation for the glory of thy name,
and deliver US, and purge away our sins
for thy names sake
4. AS regards worldly conformity it is
still true, that, while there are many of
Gods people among ns who hold the
honor of the Lord that died for them too
dear to put il in peril by yielding, in one
lit or title, to the dictates of uusanctified
custom or fashion, there are others, and it
is to be feared that the number of them
is not diminishing, who give themselves
a liberty In this matter the whole ten
dency of which is to lower the tone of per-
sonal piety and work mischief to the
cause of religion.
D. There is every reason to believe
that the obligations OF the Sabbath are
faithfully recognized by the majority of
our people. At the same time, some of
the Presbyteries speak with much en-
phasis of the desecration of it by social
visiting as a growing evil.
3. The family altar is by no means
universally honored. In Christian homes
among us, and not few, the voice of
prayer and praise is never heard under
the direction of the heads of the house.
Beyond doubt in regard to this whole
matter of family religion, which is so
deeply concerned with the spiritual life
and growth of the Church, much more is
to be done than has ever yet been done.
7. Our people seem to have a growing
appreciation of their responsibilities in
regard to the benefcent enterprises of the
Church. In the grace of giving there
have been, to say the least, no indications
of declension.
8. The Sabbath Schools are generally
under the immediate supervision and
control of church sessions; and, on the
whole, there is encouraging progress in
this department of Christian work.
g. Catechetical instruction is, for the
most part, habitually maintained in the
Sunday School; but it is by no means GER
tain that this is true of it in the family
10. Very little has been done for the
special religious instruction of the colored
people this, however, is owing not so
much to Indifference as to the fact, on
the one hand, that they have numerous
church organizations OF their own, and
on the other, that very little hopeful
work can be done among them except
through preachers and pastors of their
own race; and hence the strong claims
which the Tuscaloosa Institute has upon
the support of the Church
Perhaps the most significant fact which
appears in a general review of the past
year is, that, with no evidence OF actual
decline in the spiritual life of the Church
at large, nevertheless there have been
very few indications of the special pre-
sence and power of the Holy Ghost among
us. The preaching of the gospel has GER
tainly not been followed by results cor
to the ends aimed at.
We feel constrained to admit this must
be owing, here and there, to lack Of
faith in the case Of both pastors and peo-
pie. The whole Church obviously needs
to be reused to a deeper sense of its re-
sponsibilities in regard to this matter,
and to higher conception Of the power
of the Holy Ghost to do his work through |
the faithful use, on the part Of the peo-
pie Of God, of the means and agencies Of
his own appointment.
a Lex. MARTIN, w F. WILHELM, |
A. II. HAMILTON, p F. HOWARD,
Committee.
M oct J.