The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1884-05-14

they should be able to provide one of their own
This offer was accepted and the two oongrega-
lions worshlpped together for several months
our pastor Or. Armstrong; conducting the SER
vice IN the morning, and the other (Mr Woods
In the evening.
A few months after the organization, before
the members had provided building to wor-
ship in or even had called pastor, some Of
them began to employ themselves in efforts to
supply the spiritual distributions in communi-
ties adjacent to the city. In November 1872,
two members of the session, Elders Broughton
and Humphreys, visited Atlantic City, a then
small suburb of Norfolk and began to labor for
the organization of Sabbath School over there
In January, 1878, a school was organized and
taken under care of the session of this church
From that time forward the members continued
to labor faithfully IN that community A de-
voted member of this church, Mrs. Elizabeth
Colley, seeing the prospect of usefulness opening
before these earnest workers and wishing to
help forward the work, came to their assistance
with the donation of a lot worth 81 900, and
$1,000 In money By this means a chapel was
erected capable Of seating $50 people in which,
Sabbath School and preaching services were con-
Quoted. The enterprise prospered from year to
year, until now a Aourshing Presbyterian
church Is organized there with seventy-6ve
members, over whom the Rev. l.. II. Baldwin
Is installed pastor. Thus it appears that the
Second church inaugurated the beginning of its
existence with missionary labors. 1t was con-
ceived under missionary impulse and baptized
in its earliest infancy with the spirit of propa-
gandlsm. We have endeavored to water others
and God in falthfulness to his promises has
watered us. 1t has been the aim and desire of
this church from the beginning to care for others
trst and for themselves last, and in accordance
with this policy they have always giucn alOay
more than they kept for themselves. May this
spirit prevail to the end.
In March, 1881, the Rev. Mr. Woods, after
eight years Of successful and laborious service
resigned the pastoral Office carrying with him
the love, goodwill and prayers of all the mem
bers. His work here was by no means Of an
evanescent or transient character. 1t remains
until this day.
long vacancy occurred after Mr. Woods
departure, extending from March, 1881, to MAY,
1882. On the second Sabbath of Nav, 1882
the present pastor entered on his labors. Dur
ing this vacancy of fourteen months, it should
be stated TO the credit Of the session. that thew
did not allow the church to be closed a single
Sabbath; but were careful to supply the con-
gregation with ministerial services the whole
time.
Prior to the organization of the Colley Me-
moral church, In December 1883, the member
ship Of this church amounted to 144 When
that church was established we dismissed "A of
our number; but, in consequence of recent ac-
cesslons, we can still report an actual member
ship of III.
Since the present pastorate began, two years
ago. there have been added to this church 3S
members, "A by profession and IA by letter.
We have lost seven by death and four or FIVE by
removals. Among our dead are two Ruins
Elders, VIM. Il. Broughton and Joseph NJ Free
man. These brethren were possessed of eminent
Christian worth, faithful in their official duties
and exemplary in their personal department.
Three others of our dead were eminently pious
and devoted mothers in Israel-Mrs. Jean
Broughton, Mrs, Hicks, and Mrs. Mary Ghiselin.
CONTRIBUTIONS.
During the two years now closed, this church
has contributed for Foreign Missions, 1886 for
Home Missions tncluding Sustestation Evange-
hstlc Work and amounts gwen in aid Of Colev
Memorial church IN Atlantic City, enlargement
of chapel, building manse, and support of pastor
OF Colley Memorial, $4,766; Invalid Fuud,
4ll3; Education, S341 Publication, $50 Tus-
kaloosa Institute, $S3; Congregational, $l 965;
Miscellaneous $500 Including various items
not coming under either of the above heads, it
may be said that this church, in the past two
years Of the present pastorate, has gwen in
round numbers between $4,000 and $l3 900 for
all purposes.
And so having obtained help Of God we con-
tnue unto this day. " And here we raise our
Ebenezer, saying, hitherto hath the Lord helped
us