Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1891-05-22


FROM FLORIDA TO HIS CONGREGATION
THE DEDICATION OF THE UNITED
BRETHREN NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF
NEW PASTOR AT THE ''oLD STONE
CHURCH,
&C., &C., &C
Last Sunday was an unusually interesting
one at three of the Staunton churches-the
First and Second Presbyterian and the Uni
ted Brethren churches.
The Second PRESBYTERIAN Church.
IT'S FIRST PASTOR COMES ACROSS THE SEA
TO VISIT IT'S CONGREGA ALTON.
Rev. McDuff Simpson, the first pastor
the Second Presbyterian church had and
under whom it built it's present place of
worship, filled its pulpit on Sunday morn
ing last. He arrived III the city on
the Thursday afternoon previous from
Scotland after thirteen years absence, and
became guest of Mrs. Lucy d. Woods, at
whose house he had been warmly greeted
by many old friends. Sunday morning he
took for his text the verse, 'Now unto him
who is able to do exceeding abundantiy
above all that we ask OF think, according
to the power that wor1eth in u.s.
At the close of his sermon, MI. Simpson
spoke Of the mingled feelings of pleasure
and pain he experienced in standing once
more in his old pulpit. Pleasure, because
he saw so many familiar faces which
he used to meet in the happy times OF the
past. Pain, because many dear friends
of that day had passed away forever. 1t
was with intense SORROW that he called
to mind friends that were now shrouded
forever in the dust and their voices hushed
in the silence of the tomb. 1t was, howev
Ell, matter Of great satisfaction to see
such evidences as he saw Of great prosperi
ty in the church, and to learn that
their zeal and energy through all these years
had never tagged until eventually they were
crowned with splendid success. While he
noted with great satisfaction the success Of
the past, he ventured to predict still great
Ell success in the future. He thanked the
members of the congregation for the warm
expressions of their friendship with which
they had greeted him on every side and for
the pleasure they had afforded him by in
viting him to fill the pulpit which was as
sociated with such happy events in his
life.
Mr.. Simpsons time was fully taken up
while here in receiving calls from his old
friends and returning them. His reception
was a sort Of ovation. On Monday he went
out to Churchville to visit some of his old
friends Of Loeb Willow church of which
he was for q short time the pastor thirteen
years ago, and was much pleased at his
kind reception there. He left Staunton
yesterday morning by the B. & 0. route for
New Y ork whence he will sail tomorrow
in the steamship City of Rome for Glasgow.
A representative of the VINDICATOR
had quite an interesting talk with him
about hisspresent charge in Scotland. He
is a minister Of the Established Presbyte-
rian Church-that is the State Church-of
Scotland, and is in charge of Edrom parish
in RerWickshire. about fifty miles from
Edinburg. The church was built over seven
hundred years ago and some parts OF it
were erected by the Roman Catholic Arch
bishop Blackador when American was dis
covered by Columbus. There is one arch
in the edifice, Of decorated Norman style,
which was built in the year 1lG0 A. D., said
to be one of but five OF six of that age still
standing in Great Britain. The stone is a
soft sandstone which hardens ON exposure
to the atmosphere. Edrom parish is TIL
ral parish Of about 1850, and the church
has $50 members. The health Of the locality
may be inferred when there were only
deaths in thousand people for the past
thirty years. The manse of the church is
situated in glebe Of twelve acres.
Mr.. Simpson said that Rev. Samuel Nc
Cune, who was his companion when he
came to this section thirteen years ago and
who had church in Highland county for g
time, is now pastor of the Second Presby
terrain church in the town of Macherafelt
county Derry, Ireland, not far from The
famous city of Derry. He and his wife
who are still kindly remembered in this sec
ton. arc doing well and have three fin(
boys.
Mr. Simpson says it is possible he may
visit America again in 1892 to view thu
Worlds Fair at Chicago. He has altered
very little since he was pastor of the Sec
ond Presbyterian church, some grey in hal
and beard being the only change.
First Presbyterian Church.
RETURN OF DIR. M'FARLAND, THE BE
LOVED PASTOR, AFTER SEVERAL
MONTHS ABSENCE.
The announcement that DR.. d. K. Nc
Narland, the pastor, who had been absen
in Florida for his health several months
had returned and would fill his pulpit Sun
day morning, packed the First Presbyterian
church with members Of every denomina
ton. So large was the crowd that TIL
ushers Of the congregation after their du
ties were through had to find places TO
themselves in the gallery. When DR.. Nc
Farland came from the manse and reache
the church door, he was compelled to hold
sort Of levee there and receive the enthus
astic welcome Of the crowd waiting Out
side, many of whom could not find seat
within. Before commencing his sermo
to the congregation the pastor made til
following personal preface:
Before beginning my sermon this morning
feel that I must say at least word or tw
expressive, not only OF my great pleasure, bl
also of my devout gratitude over being one
more in my place among you. do not a
tempt to say how thankful | am, to the LoT
in the first place, and iii the second place
you all, for the opportunity have had fl
getting back the health and strength which
few months ago 1 felt l needed in order to IL
continuation of my work with you. The gel
erous consideration Of this congregation fo
me- manifested indeed in such manifold way
during my whole past connection with it, b'
especially in your conduct towards me duriI
the Last few months [ feel has been beYOr