The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-11-08
Progress of Presbyterianism in
Kentucky.

The historian tells us that nearly one
hundred years ago the Synod of Vir-
ginia, finding noble company of between
thirty and forty young men Of fine talents
and requirements painting for active SER
vice, determined to take advantage of
the golden opportunity" that on the
oath of October, 1889, they appointed a
Committee of Synod for Missions, consist
ing of four ministers and four elders, to
receive and disburse funds that they
divided the Synod into four districts to
correspond with the Presbyteries, and
agreed to assign as the pay of mission
airy $50 per annum, Virginia currency,
in half-yearly payments, and that the
funds were supplied by the voluntary
contributions of the people.
The Presbytery of Pennsylvania in
cluded the States of Tennessee and Ken
lucky and the vast unknown regions
west of them, where no civilized inhabi-
tant had come, and from whence as yet
no praise of the true God had ever as
cended.
These young men were the fruits of a
remarkable revival which occurred at
Hampden Sidney and Liberty Hall (now
Washington and Leg colleges in I7S6.
Among them were names destined to
stand high in Presbyterian annals, and
to be greatly honored of God in spread
ing knowledge of His truth and found
ing churches in the wilderness of the
West-Nash LeGrand, Cary Allen, Arch
lbald Alexander, John Lyle, John P.
Campbell, Robert Stuart Thomas Poage,
Robt. Marshall, and Robert Wilson.
These (dission) Meetings
were anticipated by the people with the
deepest interest. From all parts of the
land they came as to a solemn feast.
There met the reverend fathers of the
Synod, there met hoary- headed sires,
there met the young sons of the Church
and 1t was an affecting sight to witness
the tender and fraternal union that
bound heart to heart as they all gathered
at the sacramento board. And as one
after another of the young missionaries
rose in his place and told of this toll
and difficulties and success the tear of
sympathy coursed down many a pa
trlarchal cheek, and many an aspiration
went up for heavens choicest blessings
to rest upon them. These seasons were
regarded as eminently profitable and
tended greatly to animate and encourage
the Church, to fan the spirit of piety
into a constant flame, and to keep up
such a pleasant and social interest in
religion as TO resemble an antepast OF
heaven"
InGdelity, we learn, had even in that
day cast its shadow over the Church.
Gods people were full of sorrow and
dependency. The ministers of the
Church were advanced in years, and the
young men of talent avoided the minis
terial calling. 1t was at this solemn
juncture-when the Church lay humbled
in the dust-that He with whom it is
nothing to help, whether with many or
with them that have no power" graci-
ously interposed and by His divine Spirit
brought about sudden and joyful trans
formation. The remarkable work of
grace in which so many young men were
led to devote themselves as heralds of
the cross, was by their means perpetuated
and extended.
Brighter Prospects Damned
upon Zion, churches gasping for existence
were resuscitated, new congregations
started into being, and the progress of
intidelity and immortality received
signal check.
Eight of these missionaries found their
way into Kentucky, and to their labors
and to their efforts is much of the early
prosperity of Presbyterianism in our
State to be ascribed The sod of our
Commonwealth covers the sacred dust of
most Of these devoted and earnest SER
wants of God and His Church. Though |
long slumbering in their silent and al
most forgotten tombs, their works live
after them. Congregations then planted,
even in this very county in which we are
assembled, exist and prosper children,
grandchildren and great-grandchildren
still worship Him whom the missionaries
served, and the precious faith they
taught still remains to us for transmission
in its purity to those who will come after
us.
The lapse Of century has not changed
our symbols of faith, nor our form of
government. This Synod is to-day the
Of that church then form
ed in the wilderness, and though three
generations have come and gone, the
great Head Of the Church is still pre-
sent by His Holy Spirit, and the banner
of the cross still floats to the breeze, and |
the same sweet story Of Jesus and His |
love" that these tiding-bearers told in
the stockaded fort and beneath the shade