The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-08-30
Montgomery Presbytery.
NEW RIVER CH1pcH VA Anrnst

The Presbytery of Montgomery began its ses-
sions at this place on Wednesday, 2Sd inst, at
II o'clock. 1t was opened with a sermon by
Rev. E. C. Gordon, the retiring Moderator, on
John xvii: %, 90. Rev R. McIlwaine, D. D.
was elected Moderator, and Rev. X. P. Julian
and ruling elder ] F. Curtis were chosen tenn
porary clerks.
The attendance is 20 ministers and II ruling
elders.
The permanent committee of Foreign Missions
presented their annual report, from which it ap
peared that the contributions of the churches to
| this cause for the year amounted TO about
1000. A special consideration was given to
this subject the interest of which was much in
creased by the presence of Rev. a. T. Graybill
of the Mexican Mission a member of this Pres
bytery. Mr.. Graybill was invited to deliver an
address, which was full of instruction and en-
couragement. 1t appeared, from his remarks.
that in eight years the result has been the for
nation of three churches, the addition of three
hundred Mexican members on profession of
faith, the ordination of two native ministers
with three candidates for the ministry now in
training, and the opening of sixteen preaching
stations, with Sabbath Schools containing about
! two hundred scholars
Rev. R. McIlwaine also delivered an address
warmly endorsing the work of Mr.. Graybill
and his associates, and commencing it to the
prayers of the Church.
These addresses, with one from Rev. Dr. Hall
the chairman of the committee, made the meet
ing, in this behalf, an exceedingly interesting
one.
The permanent committee on Publication and
Colportage, Rev E. G.. Gordon chairman, pre-
sented their annual report, from which it ap
peared that the work OF the committee is gradu.
ally and usefully enlarging, and that colportage
has been successfully lnaugurated this summer,
two colporteurs having been employed, both of
whom are candidates for the ministry.
Rev. II. McIlwaine, by invitation Of Presby-
terry delivered an address on Home Missions.
which presented graphic view of the wide
field yet to be occupied by the Southern Church,
and illustrated by thrilling incidents and nara.
tives Unsuccessful labor, the immense Importance
and infinite spiritual advantages of cultivating
the field
Ministerial Education has received especial
attention An hour was set apart for the con.
slderation of this subject. Addresses were de-
llvered by Rev. B. w. Moseley, chairman of the
permanent committee on Education, and Rev.
Dr. Shepperson. This Presbytery has within
the last fifteen years licensed, perhaps, in pro.
portion to its size more candidates for the min
istry than any other Presbytery under the care
of our Assembly. Within few years, however
the formal falling off in the number of candi
dates has been sadly experienced here. But at
! this meeting 1T appears that God is answering
the prayers of the Church for an increase of la-
6orers. Three candidates have been taken un-
der the care of Presbytery, making six now on
Its roll. Three others were repoRted to Presbv-
terry who are expecting soon to apply to be
taken under Its care; and still another probable
candidate was referred to. The three taken un.
der care at this meeting are Mr. Hagan. of the
Chrlstlansburg church. who was examined on
his collegiate course and Is now prepared to en-
ter the seminary. Mr.. A. l.. Shelor. of the
church at Floyd @. H., and Mr.. P F. Price of
| High Bridge church in Rockbrdge. The two
latter 60 to Hampden Sidney this fall. Mr.
Hagan has been for two years teacher in the
Indian territory.
A pastoral letter on Family Worship was
read by Rev. DR.. Shepperson, chairman of
committee appointed by the last Presbytery to
prepare such letter. 1t was approved, and
committee appointed to publish it for general
distribution.
Rev. ]. K. Harris asked for release from his
relation as stated supply of the churches in
Floyd, and permission to labor at discretion till
the next stated meeting pleading his own health
and the health Of his family as his reasons for
this request. Presbytery granted the request
reluctantly and with profound regret at the sus.
pension of the important work which Mr.. Har-
rrs has been doing in Floyd by his very useful
school and his ministerial labors
Three new churches were enrolled viz. Low
Moor in Allegheny county, Turtle Rock in
Floyd and Ottervile in Bedford, and the union
of Peaks and New Bethel in Bedford to be
hereafter known as Peaks" was reported and
accepted.
On the subject of dancing and other worldly
amusements Presbytery expressed It's unqualified
approval of the testimony of the General AS
sembly on this subject, and recommended to
Sessions the careful study and enforcement of
our standards, as the best safeguard when pro-
perly observed, to protect the Church from these
evils
special committee was appointed early in
the session to consider the action of the General
Assembly on the subject of fraternal relations
majority report was presented by Rev. 3
W. Moseey, chairman Of the committee. which
sustained the action. DR.. Hall in behalf of
himself and one other member Of the commit
tee, ruling elder ]. F. Curtis presented a minori.
ty report mildly but firmly dissenting from the
action Of the Assembly as not satisfactory to the
Church, not expected and too hastily done and
objecting TO the response Of the Northern As
sembly as Of doubtful import. The minority re.
port was IN the form Of memorial TO our next
Assembly asking that body to seek for further
explanatory action from the Northern Assem-
bly, before the entrance Of our delegates and
also proposing that any fraterna correspond
ence that may be established with the Northern
Assembly shall be by letter, and not by dele
gates The discussion was earnest and pro
tracted. The minority report was rejected by