The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-09-28
Lexington Presbytery.

DR.. sTRICKLER ACCEPTS CALL TO ATLANT
AND Is DISMISSED TO THE GEORGIA PRES
BYPKRY.
Yesterday an adjourned meeting of Licking
ton Presbytery was held in the Lecture room
of the LIST Presbyterian Church, Rev. J. E
Booker, Moderator.
The session'was convened to consider the cal
OF Rev. DR.. G.. B. Stricken, pastor of Tink
ling Spring Church, to Atlanta, Ga. At i
also appeared the commissioners from the
Presbyterian church at Lexington, Va, urging
the acceptance of the call of that congrega
ton. The commissioners from the Atlanta
church were Messrs. J. M. Patton, j. c. Kirk,
patrick and R. A. Anderson; Lexington
Prof. Alex. Nelson and Col Ross Thinking
Spring-Messrs. D. s. Bell, J. G. Slower, F. NJ
Bell, G. B. Koiner, B. NJ Ellis. Samuel Life,
J. W. Churchman, DR.. David Hanger.
The calls from both Lexington and Atlanta
were laid before Presbytery. The claims of
Atlanta were forcibly presented by Commits
sioner Patton, and those of Lexington by Rev.
MIR. Irvine and Prof. Nelson In opposition
to the dismissal Mr.. John G. Slower made an
earnest and affecting address in behalf of the
Tlnkling Spring congregation. He was fol-
lowed by Col. D. s. Bell in a touching appeal
for his pastor. With voice husky with emotion
the venerable commissioner referred to Df.
Strickler's connection with the Tinkling
Spring church, to the love and devotion which
the people not only of the congregation but
OF the whole community bore him, and to the
great work he had done and was doing in his
present field of labor. He declared that his
place could not be supplied-that the sphere of
his usefulness was rapidly extending, and that
it was the duty of Presbytery to say that be
should remain.
Mr.. Stricken being called upon to express
his own views, stated tina. after mature and
prayerful consideration he had accepted the
call from Atlanta. He appreciated the call
from Lexington, because he knew the people
there and felt that he was known to them.
Rockbridge was his native county, and Lex
ington had been his residence for some years.
But, as stated before, after conscientious con-
sideration of the subject his conclusion was
in favor of Atlanta. He had reached that con-
clusion not because OF any dissatisfaction with
his present charge, for the comm issioner had
feelingly alluded to the happy relations which
existed between them not from any thought
Of self, for the work before HIM was arduous
not from any pecuniary consideration, for all
'hings considered. his salary at Thinking Spring
was as large if not larger than it would be at
Atlanta, but solely from sense of duty, sole
y because he felt that the field of labor in the
south was the one in which he could accom-
,lish the greater good for the Master.
After hearing DR.. Stricken, the Lexington
declined to press their call.
There was then general discussion by the
members of Presbytery, and at its close the
'ote was taken and resulted in the dismissal
y very large majority.
By this decision Augusta County and Vir- |
inia loses one of the ablest ministers in the |
Union, a man beloved as few have ever been |
eloved, and whose place as pastor or preach
r, 1t will be difficult, if possible, to fill. But
0 his new home he will be followed by the |
nited prayers of his congregation and the
incerest good wishes of his many admirers