The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-01-29
A Deep Religious Feeling

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have recently held. or are now holdln
special services, and the interest mani
tested IS remarkable. The most noticeabl
awakening has been caused by the service
at the First Presbyterian church.
| Immediately succeeding the week 0
prayer, appointed by the Evangelical AL
lance, Rev. DR.. Dinwiddie, of Alexandria
Va. commenced a series of sermons II
this church. His first sermon was preached
Monday night, Jan. 10Th. He preached
only at night until Friday of that week
when services were held in the lecture
room in the morning at II O'Clock. and II
the church at u at night. and every da.
since except Saturday, the oath, when M
rested. About the close of the week al
enquiry meeting was held every evening a.
Al o'clock in the lecture room for half al
hour. and about the same time young
/ mems prayer meeting was organized, meet
ing at o'clock. p. m. in the lecture-roon
every evening and lasting until services
began in the church. DIR. Dinwiddie com
| menced this series of sermons by preach
| ing to the christians of the church, show
| ing them their blessings and the duties ane
| responsibilities resting upon them. In tha
beginning Mr.. Strider desired any who
| felt so inclined to send in petitions fol
| special prayer. The character of the dis
courses has been simple and tender but
very strong and logical. with an occasional
outburst of thought that Eonld fash con
| viction to the darkened mind like IN cleo
trlc light.
The commentary upon the petitions foi
prayer which are very numerous am
varied and the reading of which some
times consumes half an hour, has been
marked feature of the meetings. the
mingled pathos, argument, and pleading Of
! the commentator being wonderful sermons
| in themselves.
After most Of the services, those who
4 felt disposed to confess Jesus were asked
to stand in their places for moment, and
their names were obtained afterwards that
DIR. Dinwidde might have an opportunity
of talking to them and that they might be
| invited to the manse, where the pastor of
| the church has been confined during a
good deal Of the time by severe indisposi-
ton. We are glad to know that Mr..
StIder was sufficiently restored to be pres
ent Tuesday and Wednesday and give bis
assistance
! On Tuesday night, according to appoint
ment, a special service for males alone was
had, at which the church was flled-a sin
gular sight in this city, the largest church
in it filled with eager listeners to the Cos
pei and not a female among then, The
sermon was strong, solemn and impressive, i
and at its conclusion fifty men and boysl
asked the prayers of Gods people for
| themselves and many of them profes ed to
| have found hope in believing.
The work CT the Spirit was first nani-
fest among the young ladies' of the CON
gregation and seminary, but He haGhow
shown his works among the men and boys
of the city.
SO far we have reason to believe hat
some $50 persons have in one way oran-
other made profession of their faith, Ind
the work seems only to have fairly en-
menced. One of the most enjoyable Ca |
lures of the meetings is the presence nd !
evident sympathy Of ministers and mo- |
bers of cthee churches. The prayers Of |
Gods people are going up for Pentecosal |
blessing and the prayers are being d. |
sWered. There have been marked apaWfs |
to many of tie petitions for prayers sent i,
Last Sabbath was Communion day at til
I'd Presbyterian church. The Rev. T.. j
johnson, Of Hebron. preached on the Sal
urday preceding, and the services on Sun
day were conducted by the pastor, Rev. j
E. Booker. Eight persons united with tn
church, three on profession of faith. and
five by certificate.
Last Sunday night, Rev. R. Smithson,
pastor of the Methodist church, delivered
q special sermon to a very large congrega-
ton. A collection of 1925 was taken up
to aid in church extension, foreign mis-
sions and education.
AT the Baptist church, on Sunday night,
the pastor, Rev. A. Curr, delivered the
first of a series of special sermons to a
large congregations