The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1888-04-18
For the Central Presbyterian.
The Presbytery of Lexington

daWes; temporary clerks, Rev. J. w.
Laferty and ruling elder T. G. Morton, of
Staunton.
The Rev. W. E. Baker, formerly pas
tor In Staunton for twenty. FIVE years, was
dismissed to the Presbytery of Cherokee,
in the Synod of Georgia. Several of the
older members of the Presbytery, who
were his associates in labors in the years
gone by, expressed their strong attach.
ment to him and their great regret at his
severance of his connection with this
Presbytery, In the bounds of which his
labors were so successful and so highly
appreciated, especially among the weak
churches, in which he always felt SO in
tense an interest and which he aided 40
earnestly.
The Rev. DR.. D. W. Shanks. of Mont
gomery Presbytery, now residing in Lex
ington, was granted permission to labor
In our bounds.
Rev. S. r. Preston, of Abingdon Pres.
bytery, and Rev. E. W. MoCorkle of
Montgomery Presbytery, were invited to
sit as corresponding members.
Beverly church, in Randolph county.
w. Va, was chosen as the place of the
next meeting.
After long discussion the call of the
Wytheville church was placed in the
hands of Rev. F. j. Brooke, with the adj
vice that, If consistent with his convic-
lions, he remain at Clarksburg, at least
for the present.
The Committee of Home Missions
made an encouraging report. Only two
OF our fields are vacant, and one at least
OF these will soon be supplied. The con.
trbutlons OF the churches for this cause
were in excess Of the amount asked of
them by the Presbytery, being S3,475
for sustentation alone.
a proposition was made that inasmuch
as the Committee of Inquiry on the sub
Ject of union with the Northern Church
has published its correspondence with
the northern committee, the Presbytery
now give expression to its views on this
subject. The matter was referred to a
committee consisting of the delegates to
the last General Assembly and those who
Will represent us in the next and the
following overture to the General Assem-
bly, was adopted That as the Commit.
tee of Inquiry has accomplished the work
for which it was appointed, the Assem-
bly, discharge the committee, and that
the matter of organic union with the
Northern Church be dropped. Passed
by vote of Al to 6.
The Committee on Foreign Missions
reported constantly increasing amount
contributed annually to this cause, and
that more of the churches contribute
than ever before.
The narratives on the state of religion
gave an encouraging account of the
churches of the Presbytery, 444 addi-
tions being made to them on profession of
faith during the year.
The Rev. DIR. George L. Petrie, of West
Hanover Presbytery, was with us today.
and was invited to sit as corresponding
member.
The Rev. WE. Hill, of Montgomery
Presbytery, was invited to a seat as a
corresponding member
Candidate William II. Miley was dis
missed to the care of the Presbytery of
Paducah, Kentucky.
The Presbytery gave its consent to the
changes proposed in the Book of Order,
to adjust it throughout to the article Civ.
ing the ruling elder the right to moder-
ate the higher courts of the Church.
Mr.. John M Paxton, of Fairfield
church, now student of Washington
and Lee University, was taken under the
care of the Presbytery as a candidate for
the ministry.
The following was adopted That it
is the judgment Of this Presbytery that a
mistake in the printed minutes, or in a
transcription thereof for publication, can.
not vitiate the action of the Assembly, and
ought not to delay the action Of the Pres
bytery thereon, where sufficient evidence
is had as to the action taken.
The Rev. F. J. Brooke received per.
mission to hold the call to Wytheyille
until the 10th of next month, when an
adjourned meeting will be held in Staun-
ton to license two or three candidates to
the ministry.
A larger number of the churches have
paid the pastors salary in full than for
years past
The afternoon session Of Friday was
taken up with discussion Of the subject
OF Sabbath observance.
The Presbytery will hold a second ad
journed meeting the lst OF June at Ty-
gart's Valley church, w Va, to ordain
and install Mr.. ]. B. Bitteuger as pastor
Of that church and Mingo Flats.
The following are the commissioners to
the General Assembly to meet 10 Balti-
more next month Revs. A. Jones and f.
). Brooke. with elders Prof. J. J. White