The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-04-18
Fourth Day Of the Session of the East Han
over Preshyiery In Petersburg.
THE NARRATIVE COMMITTEES REPORT
No Increasing Indulgence In Tntcm.
perance and worldly Amunement
In the Cities an Incrensing Ten
dency te Disregard the Sabbath
ts Found-ConditiOn Improved.

East Hanover Presbytery met in fourth
days session in Tabb-Street Presbyte.
rian Church yesterday morning at 9:3(
O'Clock, and was opened with prayer by
Rev. j. II. Rennie, OF Amelia Court.
house. The minutes OF yesterdays ses
sion were read, and after corrections
were approved.
DR.. Kerr. chairman OF the narrating
committee, read the following paper:
East Hanover Presbytery
Petersburg, Va, April IL. 1896
The following is ordered TO be read
from all OF our pulp!ts:
/. Family worship. though somewhat
Increasing, Is far from what II should
be. There should be an altar In every
household around which the servants
children. and parents should gather dai,
ly for instruction ana praise.
Z. In worshipping the Lord with their
substance. the people show very com.
mendable diligence, though II Is believed
that by greater system. and by the ofIl-
GERS OF the churches inducing every mem.
Der TO make at the beginning of the
year. subscription of weekly offerings
much more can be accomplished.
8. Attendance on public wor:hip Is
goou at morning services, not so good
In the evening, but believed to be i'm.
proving.
=. NO special outpouring of the Holy
spirit are noted. but from nearly all OF
our churches come reports of steady
work. and constant blessing upon the
regular means Of grace We note with
pleasure that an some of the churche,
communion classes have been establish.
ed. and a catechism prepared for the
purpose Is being used for the Instruction
OF those abuot to make public con-
tession. and also OF those who are al
ready full members of the church. Pas
tors and people Should look more 10
the regular use of the means of grace
than to spasmodic efforts.
o. There Is general Improvement I'm
ihe condition OF our churches. and near
an report gratifying growth
b. The Christian Department of the
people is in the main excellent.
q. Ihe Bible and the standards of the
ehurch are taught with commendable
nuellty In all our churches The cafe
chism is more used than ever.
.. In the cities there is an increasing
tendency to disregard the Sabbath COM
mana on the part of those within and
without the churches. which call for
speedy prayer. and an earnest effort
to stem the tide tha. Will. unless check-
ed. sweep away the sacredness of the
day of rest
.. we note with qualification that
some Oh the congregations pay the ex-
pehses or their pastors In their attend
ahee upon the courts of the church. All
churches should pay the expenses of both
pastor and elder.
a. we ma no increasing indulgence
ments
l3. Faithful and successful efforts are
put for'h in many places for the desti-
tute ana mission churches and Sunday
sS"o'Is are being established and SIM
ported
IA. All of our churches. except two
nave paid their pastors salaries in full
ana lhese two have nearly paid the whole
amount due. '"e "''e
IN conclusion we find our churches
t,',.. any IN good condition. and doing
with commendable diliranca tho n,nrI
OF me Lord, and the pure Gospel is being
preached according to the standards Of
'ne cnurch, In all our pulpits without
exceptions. Sensationalism and n falsa
uoctrlne are unknown to the churches
OF the Presbytery.
,,,'.B urge upon our people an increased
uiHsence W. In training up their children
nf ~ tIar oi God. and upon the officers
- IL uiches more personal attention
- tne spiritual wants Of those over whom
,hey pear rule, especially in the wav NJ
mousse 10 house visiting and PRAYER.
ROBERT =. KERR,
Chairman.
He foregoing paper was adopted and
bly,. "S ''ou anu Asse'h-
Rev. Moses D. Hoge and Ruling Elder
- u Harrison were excused.
IT. Jones submitted the report on
SYSTEMATIC beneficiaries which show that
- 80 congregations have contributed TO all
,shL opjects of benevolence ordered by
.ne General Assembly, eight have con-
.iiouted TO seven. two have contributed
10 SIX. one has contributed to two and
mas contributed to one and have
contributed to none. The total contri-
buttons amount to s47.566.95. The report
vas adopted and ordered TO be sent to
synod and General Assembly.
ihe report of the treasurer was pre-
sehted. 1t shows the following amount
Ieceiveo, s343.61: amount disbursed.
|"n:'3; balance due treasurer, 34f2; In
aebtedness of Presbytery to treasurer,
sSf'l2; quota to Synod for 1895, s25: ba-
lance or travelling expenses OF j. p. Gam
mon to General Assembly $50; balance
Tor same purpose to General Hundley,
about sl3; total, s92l2 The report says.
As we send four delegates to the As
sembly the expenses of ithe Presbytery
since Norfolk was cut off have been
diminished very little. this Will be nee
essary for the quotas to Presbyterical
fund be increased. - The report was
referred to the Finance Committee.
A communication was received from
Rev. e. w. McCance, chairman OF the