Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-05-09
LEXINGTON PREsBYrERY.

| NEW PREACHERS LICEN SCI DIR.
| vAUGHAN's PAPER-A VISIT TO WASH
INGToN s. LEE UNIvERsITY-THE TOMB
OF THE NEW COMMITTEES
| LEXINGTON's HOSPITALITY.
&C., &C., sc.
Reported for the STAUNToN VINDIcAToR.]
| Continuing our report of Lexington
Presbytery, the largest and most infuen-
tial presbytery in the Southern church,
which had commenced its session as re-
ported ia our issue of last week, we can
. only note some of the most important
transactions of the long and busy session.
There were present 81 Ministers and 81
Elders, representing a membership of
about 6 ,0C0 communicates.
| THE ELDER QUESTION.
Elder VIM. M. Tate, of Hebron Church,
offered an excellent paper on the much
discussed Elder question, which by many
was thought to be preferable to the
overture of DR.. Smith, which has been
sent up by the Virginia Synod to the Cen
eral Assembly. The Committee on Bills
and Overtures to whom Maj. Tate's over
| ture was referred, recommended however.
| that as similar overture had come up to
the General Assembly. it would not be ex-
pedient to send another.
ADDITIONAL MINISTER'S.
| Presbytery acquired at this session
quite an addition to its strength by the
reception of three new clerical members
Rev. c. J. Ralston has been for eight
years minister in the "Chrlstian"
church. He was raised Presbyterian
and several years ago returned to that
communion, and has been for the last
two years taking the theological course at
Union Seminary which is required of Pres
byterian ministers. After very satisfac-
tory examination before presbyterY Mr..
Ralst0n was licensed. At the same time
Mr.. W. G. McClung of Rockbridge, and
Mr.. D. N. Layton a ruling elder of Mt.
Horeb church In Augusta, both of whom
have been for the past three years pursu-
ing their theological course, were licensed
to preach as probationers. Rev. Plum er
Bryan, the Moderator. conducted the in.
teresting ceremony in very Impressive
manner.
Mr.. Layton is well-known in. Stanton
as having on two occasions been an active
member of the Y. M. q. A. conventions
which met there several years ago. He
promises to make useful minister and
his trial sermon was very favorably re-
ceived. He expects to commence his la
bors at Chenille, W. Va. The trial ser
mon of Mr.. McClung was fine effort
He is a much younger man than the 9th
er two. He goes to Pendleton county,
W. Va, where is presented an inviting
missionary field.
THE EVANGELIST QUESTION.
Rev. DR.. Vaughan of New Providence,
read an admirable paper upon the evange-
list question, which he supported with a
very interesting argument. His presen-
tation of the subject was pronounced one
of the ablest discussions ever heard in the
venerable body. The paper was sent up
to the General Assembly, and by unani-
nous vote the Central Presbv terrain" and
Southern Presbyterian Review" were
requested to publish it.
The election of commissioners to the
General Assembly resulted in the selec-
ton of Rev. D. c. Irwin of Lexington, Rev.
A. H. Hamilton of Mt. Carmel ruling
G. Morton of seau ct NJ VITA GtarR Rs1s a9 H f
Cooke of Millboro, Alex. Sprunt of Au.
gusta church, and ruling elders. r. D. Lii
ley, OF Stanton, and Prof. J. J. White of
Lexington, alternates. The Assembly
meets in Vicksburg, Miss. on the 18th OF
this month.
| A MEMORIAL VISIT.
A vary interesting episode Of the meet
ing was a visit which the members of
presbytery made, by invitation of the
faculty, to Washington & Lee University.
At the Lee Mausoleum they were received
by Professors Nelson, Harris, Campbell,
Graves and others of the faculty, Judge
Mclaughlin, of the Executive Committee
of the Board John Campbell Esq, Secreta-
| ry,and other gentlemen connected with the
venerable institution, and the recumbent
statue of Lee was viewed with admiring
interest; also. the elegant chapel, the
tomb of the Lees, and the room of Gen.
| Lee where the furniture, books and papers
| OF the heroic President remain as they
were left by him on the evening before his
fatal illness eleven years ago. At the
Library, the body was received by Gen.
Custis Lee, the President, whose affable
and courteous bearing impressed every
one. The museum also attracted great
deal of attention and the visit will Ion e
be remembered by all who were 50 fortu-
nate as to be present.
FOREIGN MISSIONS.
The report of the Committee on Foreign
Missions presented by the chairman, Rev.
D. A. Penick, was carefully prepared and
very interesting. Some individuals have
contributed very literally, sums ranging
from 5000 to ST. 900, but the amount does
not aggregate what the committee thinks
this great cause should receive.
| VACANT CHAIRS.
| Vacancies on che Committee of Home
Missions, occasioned by the removal of
Revs. VIM. E. Baker and Frank Gaines,
were filled by the election of Revs. Alex
ander Sprunt and j. E. Booker.
Revs. Alexander Sprunt, Frank Nc
Cutchan, and T. c. Morton, Esq, having
resigned their positions upon the Publica-
tion Committee, the vacancies were filled
by the election of DR.. Thos. L. Preston, and
Revs. D. A. Penick and D. g. Irwin, and
the headquarters of the COMMITTEES remov-
ed from Stanton TO Lexington. 1t is
hoped that the committee will be able to
report some active colporteur work at the
next meeting Of presbytery.