The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1885-01-28
Letter from Staunton. Va.
JANUARY 26th, 1886


NesSrs. ditors-During the Week of Prayer
in Staunton, which was observed by all the
evangelical churches of the city, with one ex.
cePtlon, there was so much interest in the meet
lngs which were union in their character, being
held alternately in the several churches that
Rev. j. P. Strider, pastor of the First Presbv
terian church, determined to protract the SER
vices In his congregation. Rev DR.. William
Dlnwiddie, of Alexandra, came by invitation,
expecting to spend week in preaching here
he commenced preaching at the First church
Monday night the 18th inst, and his congrega-
tions from The first were good. His preaching
which is characterized by great simplicity and
power, and is peculiar in its directness and per-
senality, not unlike that of Mr.. Moody, took
right hold of the people, and by the last of the
week the large church edifce was filed everv
night, the day meetings well attended, and the
interest so much increased that another week
OF services was decided upon. At the beginning
OF that week the presence of the Spirit began to
manifest itself in the conviction of sinners. at
tendance upon meetings of inquiry, the organ
izatlon of young mems prayer meeting, the
rising of anxious persons in their seats at the
conclusion of the several services, and numer-
GUS petitions in writing from Christians for
prayer in behalf of unconverted husbands
wives, brothers, sisters, children, and friends,
which were read by DR.. Dinwiddie from the
pulpit at the commencement of each night SER
vice.
This interest has increased all through the
past week, and larger congregations are not
in bio fba, bo,, Al. j
ly In this church, the people and pastor of the
Second Presbyterian church, as well as members
from all of the other churches in the city, ioin-
ing In and taking part in the services, until the
whole community has shared in the blessing
that has been poured out so richly. On Sun
day last Rev. ]. P. Strider was taken quite sick
with severe cold and confined to his room dur
ing the week, the services in the church and
lecture room continuing without his presence,
but daily loving messages, requests, and sug-
gestions were received and presented to the con-
gregation In his name, and as he convalesced
lnquirers We're invited to his siol room and re-
eeiVed instruction and encouragement from tho
pastor there.
UP to this time there have been reported So
persons who have professed hope in Christ
and gwen IN their names, As of whom are pu-
pills OF the Augusta Female Seminary, while
there are numbers of others from all classes of
the community anxiously inquiring the way of
lte or who being seriously impressed are still
holding back from any spoken manifestation of
their interest, and it has been determined to
continue the services through the present week
DR.. Dinwiddie having by the consent of his
own Session, consented to remain another week
and having taken last Saturday for a rest. On
that day service, preparatory to the Lords
Supper, was held in the Second Presbyterian
church, when Rev. Lewis B. johnson, the new
pastor of Hebron church. preached most adj
mirable and appropriate sermon to good con-
gregation. On yesterday, Sunday, the COM
munlon services were conducted by the pastor,
Rev. j. E Booker and eight persons were re-
ceiyed into the church, three of them being
members of the pastors Bible class. The occa-
sion was a very interesting one. The pastor
held an inquiry meeting in the afternoon, and
others are expected shortly to connect themselves
with that church
At the First church there was a very large
and intensely interested congregation. Dr. Din.
widdie preaching most impressive sermon, be-
fore which he read number of requests for
prayer His replies to and comments upon
these requests were specially appropriate and
searching, and constituted an interesting feature
of his services On Tuesday night there is to
be special service for men The ladies were
urged to work and pray for that meeting, but
were not expected to be present. Sunday, the
9Th Of February, Is the day appointed for COM
munion in the First church, Rev DR. Kirkpa-
trick, Of Lexington, has been invited to assist in
the services, when it is expected that large
number Of persons will be added to the church,
and an unusually interesting occasion Is anti
cipated. r G. M.
?. s. The professions yesterday and last night
increased the number to about one hundred