Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-13
THE LEXINGTON PRes8YTERY.
Last Days session-The State of Religion.
Foreign Observation-Disclosures Work.

Foreign Observation-Disclosures Work.
Correspondence OF the Richmond Dispatch.l
MossY CREEK. Va, May 9.-The narrative
on the state OF religion presented this
morning was favorable in many respects
though the growth of our churches rs @
whole is much less than usual during the
past year. There were 225 additions on
profession of faith and 20S on certificate
which made net gain of only twenty-eight
members. The total number of communi-
cants is now 7,4S4. Only four churches
out of sixty were blessed with special out
pourings Of the Holy Spirit.
MISSION CLAIMS.
The report of the Committee on Foreign
Missions was presented at the morning
hour for public worship. Many of our
churches and people are supporting this
cause with greater liberality than formerly,
but the majority are not awake to its
claims upon them. Two of our strongest
churches now support missionary each,
and an unknown individual of LexIng-
ton has become responsible for the sup
port of another. At the close of the deep
ly interesting meeting this morning, which
was stirred by the addresses of Revs. A.
Lydenstricker, of China, A. +. Lard, chair
man of our committee: II. +. Campbell
and DIR. Quarles, resolution was adopted
urging single churches and individuals TO
consider the matter of assuming the ex.
penses of missionary in the field, and
groups of churches and clubs or individ.
usls to do the same.
The Rev. j. +. Bear was dismissed tc
unite with the presbytery which is to be
formed by the missionaries in China.
Rev. Mr.. Armstrong, of the Methodist
Church, was invited to set with US as q
visiting brother.
DECLINED.
The overture to the General Assembly
asking relaxation of the requirements in
scholastic studies for licensure and ordina.
ton to the ministry came up again to-day
and elected another earnest discussion.
The presbytery declined to send it up by O
vote OF ~ TO 10.
The report Of Rev. +. J. Brooke, evange
list, shows him to be a diligent workman
In four months, during three of which the
weather was most unfavorable, he visited
II churches and other points. preached
GA sermons. held 10 meetings of congrega'
tions. 10 meetings of sessions, had d pas
tors called. settled seminary students IN
work for the vacation, received 10 men,
bers into the churches, collected on bacl
salaries sass, for presbytery's evangelistiC
fund S4S, and raised by subscription $500
and travelled by railroad 1885 miles, and
by private conveyance 619. be was aided
by the Chairma of the Home Missions il
securing the pastors and students.
NEW LABoRERs.
The following students will labor in oul
bounds during the vacation: MIR. Il. Nj
Craig, in Beulah, Stony Run, and Mountain
Grove churches; Mr.. s. p. Halves, in Nc
Dowell and Williamsville; Mr.. L. I. Well
ford, Of Richmond, in Lebanon; Mr.. w
ID. Reynolds. Jr.. OF Norfolk, IN the mis-
sion work OF the First church, Staunton
MIR. i. q. Hartman, at Elkton and Shen
dun. and Mr.. A. NJ. Smith, at Alpena, Ran
dolph county, w. Va.
LAST DAY.
The presbytery passed resolution re
questing, in behalf of 1900 members, tn,
managers of the Columbian Exposition h
keep the doors closed on the Sabbath, anC
asking the Hon. II. st. George Tucker Il
present IL.
A letter of sympathy with Rev. J. w
Laferty, who has been greatly afflicted
during the past year at his home at David
son College. N. G., was adopted and order.
cd 70 be sent to him.
VARIOUS CHANGES.
Permission was granted to Rev. +. p
Lydenstricker TO labor half of his time fol
one year at Buckhannon church in connec
ton with the Northern Assembly, where
his labors have been greatly blessed.
Licentiate Charles d. Gilkeson accepted
the call Of Beverly church, and arrange
ments viii be made 10 hold an adjourned
meeting there TO ordain and install him
the I'd Of July.
Messrs. Z. II. Slower and B. @. Patterson
both Of Augusta county, were licensed tc
preach che Gospel. Mr.. Patterson, having
accepted an appointment as a missionary
70 Cnins, was also ordained SIS foreign
evangelist.
Calls from Rapidan and Mitcheil'i
churches, OF West Hanover presbytery
We're presented for the pastoral ser vices 81
MI. 4 II. Slower.