Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1888-10-26
LOCAL.
THE PRESbYTE

SYNOD OF VIRGINIA IN ITS TOOTH SEES.
sIoN-INTEREsTING REMINIsCENCE Els
THE OLD BOUNDARIEs-AT STANTON
so YEARS AGO-A BIG FIRE-RARE
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES THE MULTI
TUBES.
&C., &C.. &C.
Reported for the staunton VINDIcAToR.l
NEW PROVIDENCE CHURCH, Oct. "a
When alighted with eight others, from
the old fashioned stage coach which
brought US over here to-day, to attend the
centennial services of the Synod of Vir-
ginia, was amazed to see the great crowd
that was already On the grounds. The
grounds and grove around the church. as
far as we could see, were full of carriages,
buggies, horses and people, and when we
went in the church, we found that large
building full also. What will these peo-
pie out here in the country do with all
these folks asked myself; and thought
these who had said that New Providence
had bitten off more than she could chaw,"
when she invited Synod On centennial
year, were about right. changed my mind
though, when at dinner time [ found the
immense gathering of twelve OR fifteen
hundred people, bountifully and luxuri-
uusly fed from the many long, loaded
tables, and the generous hosts hunting for
more guests to help dispose OF the viands
still in reserve. Ana then again in the
afternoon when Synod adjourned, aud the
crowd began to dispalse, the committee
on entertainment was besieged with re-
quests from a number of hospitable en-
tertainers who wanted somebody togo
home with them. Mr.. Smiley, the
chairman, told me that he had room for
100 more if he could only get them. Many
people had no company yet. and others
were only half full and complaining that
all their guests had not come. So New
Providence knew what she was about
when she invited Synod.
Synod had organized land the first day of
the centennial exercises were over when
your correspondent got upon the ground,
but even to tell half of one days proceed
ings. will occupy more space than [ can
find in your now crowded columns, so l
can barely sketch what would like to tell
you fully of this very interesting occasion.
MEETING PLACES DURING THE ONE
HUNDRED YEARS.
lind from data at hand, Chat this body
in the 100 years of its existence has never
x,,ot xuitb anv otbor cnunfru ohu,ch hocjdac
New Providence, except once, when it met
at LIckinghole church. Goochland county,
III 1872. During the 100 years since 1885,
it has met - times in Staunton, Is times
in Winchester, 10 times IN Lexington, Z
times in Richmond, times IN Charlottes-
vile, twice in Harrisouburg, and divided
its other sessions bstWaeu other towns in
Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and
Pennsylvania.
IN sTAUNToN FIFTY YEARS AGO.
at its session in 1902 in Lexington, the
body was divided and the Synods of Pitts
burg and Kentucky constituted and the
Synod of Virginia reconstructed. Synod
met in Staunton in 1888, just SO years ago.
The only survivors of the 80 members then
present are Rev. DR.. Samuel Brown and
Elder Frederick Johnston. They are both
present here, and remember very wildly
a destructive fire which occurred at the
time, which burnt livery stable,i in which
% horses belonging to the members, were
lost. Mr.. Johnston lost bis.
THE OLD VETERANS.
The oldest minister of the Synod is DR..
Pryor. who is "a years old. and has been
preaching Sc years. DR.. Samuel Brown
has been in the ministry So years. Elders
J. T.. j.. Preston and Frederick Johnston,
the oldest ruling elders known in the body,
are both here. and have been elders 50 years.
The unique occasion has brought out an
unusually venerable delegation and the
grey heads seem to predominant. Among
them are seen-Drs. Pryor, VIM. Brown
Chas White, George White, H. M White.
Drew, Hopkins, Waddell, Richardson,
Dinwidoie. Alexander, Preston. Alex
Martin, S. T. Martin, Vaughan, b. NJ
Smith, Shepperson, Wilson and Craig;
Elders Preston, Johnston, Brooke, Hogs
head, Fitzgerald, Hotchkiss, Henry, and
Reys. J. A. Scott, 2. B. Price, Watkins
and others.
THE ORGANIZATION.
There are so far. 1852 members Of Synod
in attendance, of whom some 100 are cler
icai and 60 lay delegates. DR.. Pryor
preached the opening sermon, after which
Kew inc. A. Scott was unanimously cleo
ted Moderator. and Rev. A. T. Graham
and elder E. NJ. Crutchfeld Clerks. The first
Swo DAYS were devoted to the centennial
exercises, and tomorrow the regular bust
ness Of Synod will be taken up, which
will consume the rest of the week.
GUEST FROM THE NORTH.
An interesting feature Of to days pro
ceedings was the presentation and address
of Rev. j. M. Barnett Of Washington
PENNSYLVANIA. a visiting Commissioner
from Redstone Presbytery. once part Of
the Virginia Synod. He said that Il
Fresbvteries had been formed from thu
territory at first occupied oy old Redstone
including 1855 ministers aud 81 600 mem
hers. There were only ministers wheI
il was constituted. At that time The
Synod embraced the whole Northwest, in
cindine Ohio and PENNSYLVANIA. Mr.. Bar
nett hoped that the time would come wher
all fine Pcesb7teries North and South en-
hracad in the old territory would be again
,,,itAd as one church and spoke feeiingll
and eIoauently on the subject.
latter was received from DIR. M. d
Hegs. regretting that the state of hi
heaitu had prevented his preparing tn
..o,tenn;al sermon which was expected o
him, This was great disappointment
THE HISTORICAL PAPERS.