The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1888-04-18
NEWS FROM THE CHURCHES
Southern Presby terrain.


Rev. Colin Stokes post-office address has
been changed from Worsham to Collierstown,
Va. He has returned, and been welcomed back,
to his congregation after years absence, which
had been granted to him. Rev. W. H. Ochil-
tree very acceptably supplied his place during
this absence
Gala Church, Botetourt Co, Va.-The
members of the Locust Bottom church who com.
pose the new organization at Gala were very
glad to have among them recently the Rev. j.
D. Thomas, the Presbyterial Missionary of
Montgomery Presbytery. Hs came and preached
very earnestly and acceptsbly for three days
Two persons were received by the session and
several others seemed to be interested This
new church starts out in an encouraging man
n er. There have been ten persons received by
the session in six months. Six of these by ex-
animation and four by letter. E.W. w.
Colley Memorial Church Norfolk, Va.
Rev. L. II. Baldwin, pastor.-On Sabbath,
April 18th, Mr.. M. P. Rare was elected as an
additional elder in this church. Although Col
ley Memorial is but in its infancy yet it has
undertaken mission work. 1t has established
very promising mission at Lamberts Point, the
terminus of the Norfolk & Western Railroad.
This is very important point at which all of
the coal that comes over the road is handled,
$4,000 tons per month. Already number of
families reside there AS the business of the
railroad increases the town will grow. We
have weekly preaching appointment upon
which interested and incT easing numbers attend.
A suite of rooms has been given us by the rail-
road company in new building. The floor
where we hold the services is used for no other
purpose. Thus the great-grandchild of that
venerable mother church, the First church of
Norfolk, comes into exstance
The pastor of the church has large infant
class numbering one hundred which he teaches
in the manse The department of the Sunday
School taught in the church is also large The
childrens missionary society are paying the
rent Of building in Tsing-kaing-pur China,
where school for young men and boys is es
tablished. II.
Staunton, Va.-The annual report, to
March 3lst of the two Presbyterian churches
of Staunton, has just been presented.
The First church Rev. D. K Mcfarland,
D., pastor-has 519 commandments There were
received during the past year 20 by examina-
ton and by certificate 81
The regular and miscellaneous expenses, in
Guiding pastors salary and church improve.
ments, amount to $6,247 81 to which add for
assessments for general church purposes 81 .245.-
so; evangelistic, $273.O2; invalid fund, 1857 S.
foreign missions, $l334.82; education $308 rs;
publication, 1925 70; Tuscaloosa Institute. $40
81; Presbyteries $3O-making an aggregate of
SIS, 767 80 collected and appropriated during the
year.
The Second church-Rev H. H. Halves,
D. D., pastor received 80 communicates during
the past year The total number is las.
The amount contributed for all purposes the
past year was So 61844 The balance of 81
251 81 due on the church debt was paid off and
$500 paid on purchase of manse. The manse
cost So 500, and the amount due on It is in good
manageable shape, and in all other respects the
burch is entirety free from debt and has paid
up all the assessments made upon it.
The Presbytery of Harmony met in
Florence church April 4th. 1t adopted the fol-
lowing:
Touching the amendments to our Form of
Government proposed to the Presbytery by
the General Assembly, the following action was
taken:
L. Ihls Presbytery declines to advise and con-
sent to the amendments proposed for the pur-
pose of harmonising our Book Of Church Order
In the matter of the Elder Moderatorshp
III. This Presbytery declines to advise and
consent to the amendments in reference to Or
ganic Union proposed by the General Assembly,
Oh. v, Sec. 6 Par. 8.
l. The propriety of a Church providing a
method for the extinction of its distinct exist
ence is at least somewhat doubtful
2. This Presbytery regards Organic Union as
undesirable and so are of opinion that no con-
stitutiona method should be provided for it's
accomplishment.
3. The effect of the proposed amendment
would be to place it within the power of two
thirds OF the Presbyteries to carry with them
into union with some other Church. not only
their own property, but all the property of
our Church, including that of those Presbyt eries
who might decline to enter into such union.
4. The approval Of such amendment by this
Presbytery would be construed as an endorse
ment Of the project for organic union now agi-
tating our Church.
The Presbytery of Bethel met in Purity
church, Chester, s. G April 9Th.
Mr.. E. Mack was licensed az probationer
for the gospel ministry
The Presbytery overturned the General Assem-
bly, to send down the proposed amendment to
the Constitution, touching organic union with
other bodies, in unquestioned form; but asks that
in case the coming Assembly should decide that
the matter has gone down regularly, in the Per-
II