The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-09-29
For the Central Presbyterian.
The Presbytery of Lexington.
CENTENNIAL SESSION

cEN1ENN4hL OESslCh.
After existence of one hundred wears the
Presbytery met the 22d of September at
Timber Ridge church, where it was originally
organized. The Rev. L. B Johnston preached
the opening sermon The Rev DIR. T. l.. Pres
ton was elected Moderator, and the Revs. L H
Paul and B. A. Pendleton temporary clerks
The following were nominated as commits
sloners to the next General Assembly, to be held
at st. Louis next May Rev. Drs T. L Preston
and c. R. Vaughan Elders William Witbrow
OF Waynesboro, and Judge G. g. Grafton of
Harrisonburg
Rev. s. Taylor Martin, of Mecklenburg Pres
oytery, was invited to sit a corresponding
member also Rev. C. S. NJ. See, OF Texas, who
la6ored many years in this Presbytery.
The Rev. W. A. Dabney was received from
Mecklenburg Presbytery, and call from Ok
ford church was placed in his hands.
The subject of Home Missions received full
share of attention. The committee was direct
ed to apportion $4,000 among the churches for
Sustentatlon, four -fft hs of which will probably
be needed in our own bounds Hereafter church.
es receiving aid from the Sustentaton fund will
be required to make annual applications, with
the reasons therefor. The Home Mission com
mlttee has authority to decide cases requiring
action between the regular meetings of the Pres
bytery.
-Four pastoral charges are vacant, some of
which would make promising fields for earnest
laborers.
The resignation of the chairmanship of the
Home Mission committee by the Rev. John A.
Preston was not accepted.
The Rev DR.. j A. Quarles, professor of Moral
Philosophy in Washington and Lee University
was received into this body from Lafayette Pres
bytery, Missouri. He declared his desire to do
the duties OF a Presbyter and to preach where
bis services are needed HI was placed on the
Committee of Education.
The Revs. ]. W. Rosebro, Of Petersburg, and
r. ID Gaines, OF Montgomery Presbytery, were
invited TO SIT as corresponding members
A long discussion took place on a proposition
TO employ an evangelist to labor among the va
cant churches and destitute communities living
mainly between the churches in the Valley
counties. Dr. Preston advocated it in a long
speech The Rev. F. ]. Brooks and others op-
posed 1t. 1t was defeated as at present imprac-
ticable
Messrs. II A. White and Edward Leyburn,
members Of Lexington church, were received ss
candidate Tor the ministry. Mr.. White is a ma
tive of Greenbrier country, w. Va
The committee Of Home Missions was author
lied to call upon the pasto.s for one Sabbath
each between this time and the next meeting
to be spent in the supply Of vacant churches
Lcentiate James T.. Bear will continue bis
labors in GIlmer county, W. Va and adjacent
fields.
The next regular meeting will be held at
New Monmouth church the first Tuesday of
May 1887.
The examination Of seasonal records has been
greatly simpli6ed by committing this work to
permanent committee and adopting system of
rules for their guidance which will be furnished
TO the clerks Of sessions
The Rev. W NJ. McElwee resigned the pas
toral charge Of Walker Creek church. and an
adjourned meeting will be held at Befbesda
church on the 18th Of October when all1 arties
will be heard and the case decided.
The Presbytery is now composed OF thirty.
six ministers and ffty-6ve churches, and has
under its care twelve white candidates for the