Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-03-08
Staunton vindicator.
FRIDAY MORNING, MARCH 8, 1889.
LOCAL.
Rev. John A. Preston Call to Florence


Lexington Presbytery was called to meet
in Staunton, last Monday, to consider the
application of Rev. John A. Preston, of
Thinking Spring church, to be dismissed to
North Alabama Presbytery, he having ac-
cepted call to Florence, within the bounds
of that Presbytery. The rain was falling in
torrents on that day, and from high water
OF other causes, the members of Lexington
Presbytery failed to get here.
The Florence Wave of last Friday pub
fishes report of the congregational meet
ing there, Feb. 9th, which called Mi. Pres
ton. 1t is as follows:
ga congregational meeting was held at the
appointed time, with Rev. NJ. L. Frierson, the
pastor, in the chair. Mr.. Frierson stated the
object of the meeting to be, to request the con-
gregation to unite with him in requesting the
Presbytery to release him from charge of the
church He stated as the reason, that he was
not able to give proper attention to both school
and church, and spoke touchingly OF the
charge which he had had for thirteen years,
and recommended to them MI John A. Pres
ton, of Virginia, whom he had invited to
preach for them recently. He then requested
to be excused from the meeting and retired.
MI R. T. Simpson was then elected mode
rator of the. meeting and j. W. Miner secre-
tary.
The motion of Judge J. j. Mitchell that we
unite with MI Frierson in requesting Presby-
terry to release him, was seconded and carried.
II,,J., hot O
appointed to draft resolutions expressive of
the regret that the congregation feels III part
ing with Nh. Frierson as pastor. Fhe motion
was seconded and carried unanimously. The
moderator appointed Judge Hudson, Dr..
Moody and Mr.. w. z. Campbell as the Com
mittee.
Judge j. j. Mitchell nominated Mr.. John A.
Preston, of Virginia, for pastor of the church,
and moved that he be declared elected by ac-
clamation. Judge Hudson offered an amend
ment that the Elders be authorized to present
the call in proper shape at once. MI. W. ?
Campbell offered another amendment that he
be called at salary of two thousand dollars
year The amendments were accepted, and
the motion carried unanimously.
J. w. MINER, Secretary"
Last Sunday q congregational meeting
was held at Thinking Spring church at
which the following preamble and resolu-
lions were adopted:
WHEREAS, The time has come in the histo-
ry of our church when we are called upon to
sever the connection between the church and
our dearly beloved pastor, Rev. John A.
Preston.
Our hearts are filled with gratitude to God
for the great blessings which have attended
his ministry and we cannot, nor would not
conceal our profound regret at the loss of one
who came to us almost, if not entirely a per-
sonal stranger, yet he bound us to himself by
ties which, though tender and delicate, may
not be easily broken. He has been in sympa-
thy with us in all things; rejoicing with us in
our prosperity, and mingling his tears with us
in our Affections.
Therefore, it is with much grief and reluc
lance that we unite with Mr., Preston in ask
ing Presbytery to dissolve his pastoral rela-
tons with US, and we furthermore adopt
the following resolutions expressing our great
admiration, true regard and brotherly love
for him.
1st. That we desire to assure MI. Preston
that our brotherly affection will follow him
wherever he may go, and that our humble
prayers to God shall be for the richest bless
ings of heaven to rest upon him and his work.
End. We desire to put upon record our
thankful testimony to the success of his min
istry, the evidence of which, was the regular
attendance at his preaching, the accessions to
the church from year to year, the liberal sup
port of all benevolent objects, the increased
efficiency of the working power and godly
union of the congregation. and the large in