The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-06-07
For the Central Presbyterian.
Narrative ofthe State of Religion
in the Bounds of Roanoke
PreSbytery.

Liz ndrTdClNe Oh Cne SLate OF religion
was prepared with great care and ability
We offer it for publication, leaving out
only part of the introduction and the
statistics upon which the subsequent re-
marks were based.
Sessions have different standards by
which they measure the condition of their
respective churches No doubt one Ses-
sion reports favorably on state of things
over which another would mourn. Your
committee, however, can do nothing else
than present the picture as drawn by the
Sessions and call especial attention to it's
bright lights and dark shadows" "The
pleasing features of the picture are quite
numerous. 1t appears from the statisti-
cal showing that very large majority of
our churches report more or less encour-
agingly on seven out of the eleven mat
ters submitted to their attention. Pas
tors, elders, and deacons seem to be work
men who at least feel no need to be
ashamed, and in more than one case they
refer us to Prov. xvii: 2. The services
OF the sanctuary are appreciated. The
sins of intemperance, worldly .amuse-
ments, ct alta SlmalIla, are rather decreas-
ing than increasing within our bounds.
Catechetical instruction is very general,
and the seed sown in the tender hearts
of the children cannot fail to find much
soil that will yield in due time "some
thirty, some sixty, and some an hundred
fold" The fourth commandment is re
spected to an extent that should awaken
sentiments of gratitude, when we reflect
how widespread and alarming is its VIC
lation in the country at large. The grace
of giving, it would seem, is gradually
loosening the purse strings of our people
and prompting them to glorify God with
spoils taken from the shrne of mammon
Only one church in our bounds is desti-
tute of stated preaching. Surely in these
facts we have proof of considerable spirit
ual vitality, and ground to feel encour-
aged. God is still with us, and His mer-
cy has been conspicuous in the past years.
history.
The unpleasant features of the picture
are, perhaps, less numerous, but the i'm
preston they make is not for that reason
less strong. A majority of our churches
report unfavorably on four out of the
eleven matters. Of these four, two are
matters of prime Importance. There has
been no special outpouring of the Spirit
in any of our churches. Certainly the
people of God are sadly to blame for the
want of fidelity in the use of Gods APP
pointed means, or for the want of faith in
Gods promises. The Holy Spirit is the
one thing singled o9t and specifically OF
fered on condition of believing prayer.
awe have not because we ask not; we
M ,,,o IL 49,.
In either case we Should not rest satisfied
while for twelve months the great and
sole agent of edifcation to Christians and
of regeneration to sinners, has given us
no special manifestation Of His presence
and power.
Is it not possible that this deplorable
want is intimately connected with the
other matter of prime significance to
which reference has been made, viz: the
matter of family worship. When the
fires of devotion burn low upon the fami-
ly altar, we think it indicates that how
ever much mechanical activity and reve
rent behavior may be observed in the
temple service, there is in reality little
spiritual fervor, and little earnest desire
for spiritual manifestations.
IernapS we Snould nave added third
to our list of significant deficiencies in
our churches. Most of the Sessions men
ton, by way of explaining and justifying
the uniform neglect of religious instruc-
ton of the colored people" the fact that
they have preachers of their own, and
prefer to attend their own churches
1t is sad to conclude this report by
repetition of the old, old story-delin
quency in the matter of pastors salaries
Fifteen churches (out Of the twenty seven
reporting) confess to failure to meet pc.
cuniary obligations voluntarily assumed
under circumstances of peculiar solemn
ty. In many cases, however, these de-
linquencies are small, and it is believed
the consciences Of the people are gradu-
ally warming into life. Until this life
becomes healthy and vigorous we should
continue to stir up their pure minds by
way of remembrance.
Justice to the writer of the report requires
the statement that the abruptness with which
this topic closes is owing to the fact that Pres
byterY struck out a few lines here which it was
thought animadverted too strongly upon the in
sufiiciency of the excuse alleged. S. CLERK.