The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-18
THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPERS
Create a Lively Discussion in East Han
Oyer PFesbytary.
MlNY REPORTS RECEIVE APPROVAL.
An Interesting Review Of the Work and
Condition of the Churches-sad
Death of Mrs. George Rodgers
i'm Petersburg.

East Hanover Presbytery met In its
fourth days session In Tabb-Street Pres
byterian church this morning at $3.50
o'clock, and was opened with prayer by
Rev. j. II. Rennie, OF Amelia Courthouse.
The minutes Of yesterdays 50 hon were
read, and after correction, We're ap-
| proved.
DR.. Kerr, chairman Of the Narratlng
Committee, read the following paper:
East Hanover Presbytery,
Petersburg, Va, April l6 1876.
1.-THE following is ordered to be read
from all OF our pulpits:
| ID Family worship, though somewhat
| increasing, Is far from what it should
| be. There should be an altar in every
| household, around which the servants,
J children, and parerts should gather
| daily for instruction ana praise
80 In worshipping the Lord with their
| substance, the people show q very COM
mendable diligence. though IT is believed
that by greater system and by the Of
| iicers Of the churches inducing each
| member TO make at the beginning each
| year subscription OF weekly offerings,
much more can be accomplished.
| "(D Attendance on public worship is
| good at morning services: not so good in
| the evening. but believed 10 be improy-
ing.
| 20 No special outpourings of the Holy
| Spirit are noted, but from nearly all OF
| our churches come reports OF steady
| growth and constant blessing upon the
| regular means Of grace. We note with
| pleasure that in some churches cOmmu-
| Mon classes have been formed and a
| catechism. prepared for the purpose, Is
| being used for the Instruction of those
about 10 make public confession, and
also of those who are already fun men,
bers OF tho church. Pastors and people
should look more to the regular use Of
the means OF grace than TO spasmodic
efforts.
GENERAL IMPROVEMENT.
40 There is a general Improvement
In the condition OF our churches, and
nearly all report gratifying growth.
20 The Christian department Of the
people is. IN the main, excellent.
90 The Bible and the standards Of
the church are taught with commendable
fidelity in all our churches. The cate
chism is more used than ever.
"CJ In the cities there IS an increasing
tendency 10 disregard the Sabbath COM
mand on the part OF those within and
without the church, which calls for
speedy prayer and an earnest effort TO
stem the tide that Will, unless checked
sweep away the sacledness Of the day
Of rest.
20 We note with qualification that
some OF the cOngre9. tions pay the ex-
penses of their pastars In their attend
ance upon the cCurt4 the church. All
churches sAouiu pay tAe expense VI both
pastor and elder.
'GO We ind no increasing indulgence
in intemperance and worldly amusements.
"QD Not a great deal is done directly
for the instruction of the colored people.
"Q9 Faithful and successful efforts
are put forth Ia many places for the destl-
tute, and mission churches and Sunday
schools are being established and sup
ported.
"QO All OF our churches except two
have paid their pastors salaries IN full,
and these two have nearly paid the whole
amount due.
In conclusion, We find our churches
generally IN good condition. and doing with
c0mmenlable diligence the work OF the
Lord, and the pure gospel IS being
preached according TO the standards OF
the church in all our pulpits without ex-
ceptOn. Sensauonalism and false doc
trine are unknown IN the churches OF the
Prcsbytery.
I'VE urge upon our people an increased
diligence i'm the training OF their chill
dren In the fear Of God and upon the
officers Of the church more personal at
tentiOn 10 the spiritual wants OF those
over whom they bear rule; especially In
the way Of hOuse-tO-house visiting and
prayer.
(slgned) ROBERT p. KERR,
Chairman"
The foregoing paper was adopted and
ordered 10 be sent 10 Synod and Assem-
bly,.
Rev. Moses ID. Hoge and Ruling El-
der S. g.. HOWiton We're excused.
SYSTEMATIC BENEFICENCE.
Dr.. Jones submitted the report on Sys
tematic Beneilccncc, which shows that
ten congregations have contributed to all
eight objects Of hcaevOlence ordered by
the General Assembly, eight have contrib
utod 10 seven. two have contributed 10
six, one has contributed TO two. one has
contributed 10 one and two have con-
tribued 10 none. The total contributions
amount 10 Si7,5Gj.g5. The report was
adopted ana ordered 10 be sent TO Synod
and General Assembly.
The report Of the treasurer wes present
ed. 1t shows the following amount re-
ceived, s3i36l; amount disbursed, S377.73.
Balance due treasurer, sA.i2 indebted
ness Of presbyteTy to treasurer, SAP.
quota 20 Synod for 1885, SIS; balance OF
travelling expenses of j. +. Cannon 10
General Assembly, SO; balance for same
purpose TO General Hundley about Sl3;
total $q2i2. The report says: AS we
send four delegates 10 the Assembly the
OF the Presbytery since Norfolk
was cut OF have been diminished very
little. il Will be necessary for the quotas
to Presbyterial fund be increascr." The
report was referred TO the Finance Com
mittee.
4 communication was received from
Rev. +. W. McCance. chairman of |
the Synod's Foreign Mission cause. which |
was referred to the Foreign Mission Com |
mittee The report says in part the to-
tai falling OFF from the gifts OF last year |
on this Synod IS s26ll.A."
Reports on Publication was received and |
adopted. II says in part: by compari- |
son Of the gifts OF the churches 10 the |
cause OF Publication and Sabbath School |
Work. we find an increase. The amount |
Of contributions last year was s27g 95. the |
year before it was s2ll. but II Is very evil
dent that our people do not appreciate |
the Importance of this great aim OF our
1hurch's work"
THE BIBLE SOCIETY.
The report on bible Society was next
received aud adopted The report SAYS:
.The Proshytery urges every church in
lbs bounds 10 take up a collection once a
year for this great cause, and TO for
ward the same promptly 20 the Rev. Dr.
~ A. Campbell. secretary and general
agent. Richmond, va
Rev. Robert T. Kerr presented the fol-
owing paper: "ln dismisslng Rev. VIM.
: buchanan 10 the presbytery OF Fay
,tteville, n. C., We place on record this