Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-09-22


report az the approaching meeting.
The report OF the Home Mission Com
mittee will probably awaken more In
terest than anything else that Will oc-
cupygthe attention Of the synod. This
committee has charge Of the evangelistic
work of the synod. Evangelists are sent
out into the destitute sections of the
country TO preach the Gospel. and 10
build UP churches where there are none.
This work was undertaken six years ago.
A year ago the committee reported that
for the first FIVE years the work done by
the evangelists was: Sermons, 5000; pas
toral visits many thousands; professions,
Of faith 5000: churches organized, IS;
baptisms-aduts. 6Sl: infants, 929; money
raised. SSl 900; tracts distributed, thou
sands.
Money raised by eyangelists for
pastoral work. church erection,
and schools. ...... ........ ....$l 900 90
Expended in this work............ 2,7@ "A
Raised in excess Of expenditures. 2,1O6 Go
The above sum 1881. 900 does not include
any sums collected by evangelists for the
synodcal evangelistic work, which was
much.
No work ever done has given better
returns for the money spent. A table Of
cold figures cannot possibly tell the true
story
UNION SEMINARY BUILDING.
Another matter of interest will be the
report of the committee to whom was
referred at the last meeting the ques-
ton: What shall be done with buildings
OF the Union Theological Seminary when
that institui shall have been moved
70 Richmond What the committee Will
recommend is not known. but several
plans have been proposed. one is that
they shall be turned over to Hampton
sydney College to be used i'm any way it
may choose. Another is that female
college be established there, as a branch
OF Hampden-Sldney College. A third plan
proposed is to establish there a Presby-
terian high school for boys; and fourth
plan is suggested that the synod shall
establish there an orphan asylum. What
ever action Is taken must be concurred In
by the Synod of North Carolina. as these
two synods Jointly control the seminary.
The synod meets earlier this year than
usual i'm accordance with the request
OF the Lewisburg church; that 1t might
be present to unite In celebrating the
1c0th anniversary of the building OF the
old stone church." in which the congre-
CATION worships. This church was or
ganized by Rev. John McCue, the first
minister in Greenbrier county, in 1873.
The building was erected 100 years ago.
Colonel John Stewart gave the ground
and $3.50. and his wife gave her patrimony,
g GOO more. The church was originally
square and the entrance door faced the
east sounding board hung over the
pulpit. An outside stairway led TO
gallery for the co'ored people. The
church has been much changed, enlarged,
and remodeiled 1t is the pride and
sanctuary of the whole community" on
a plain. rouehly-hewn slab. built into the
wall lust over the door. the following
Inscription Is carved:
This building was erected in the year
1875 at the expense Of few OF the
first inhabitants of this land, TO COM
memorate their affections and esteem for
the holy Gospel of Jesus Christ. Reader.
II you are inclined to applaud their vir-
tues. give God the glory"
NOTED MEN.
With the early history of this church
are connected the names of some of the
men who were noted in their day, and
whose influence was not limited by the
little village in which they lived, nor by
the beautiful valley in which II is
situated.
one of the most striking of the figures,
which occupy the pedestals around the
monument of Washington, in the Capitol
Square. In Richmond. is that OF Andrew
Lewis AS he thands there, In his buck
skin suit. resting upon his rife, he gives
a better idea OF the sturdy character OF
the neonle who first settled that country
than any words can convey. 1t was In
honor OF him that the name OF the place
was changed from Fort Union TO Lewis
burg.
The PRESBYTERIAN Church In Lewisburs
has had some very able men to supply
IFS pulpit, but none more remarkable
for his ability OF his influence than Rev
\ In
iicensure he took charge Tin 1909 or this
church. In connection with several others
which together formed q mission group
"on the western frontier" He grew up
with the country, and gained the good
viii and esteem of all who knew him.
Few men had as much to DO with mould
ing the character OF the people as did
John McElhenney.
HIS INFLUENCE.
The following incident. recorded by one
81 his contemporaries, who knew him
well, shows how his personal influence
was felt. Says this writer: His IN
Huence over the people of Greenbrier
was almost unbounded. remember
witnessing a display of his authority In
the rapid dispersion of crowd assem-
bled for a fight. The parties had met
by appointment. about sunset. on the
common. and were stripped for action.
THE Doctor saw them from another
street and took the shortest cut TO them
across lots He arrived just as they
were sauaring themselves for blows
attempted between them. showed them 10
right and left, and commenced an In
d,gnant scoldlng for their wickedness.
The crowd OF witnesses began sneaking
OF. and the combatants hustled on their
clothes and left the ground, under a
sense OF duty to keep the peace"
Father McElhenney." says another
writer. was dear TO all the country
side. and upon one abortive occasion,
where an opinion got abroad. fostered by
q few advanced spirits. that DIR. McEi-
henney's ministry was growing stale and
that a new man was needed In his place.
the whole countryside was aroused
The people rose en- masse. and declared
that they would have none other In his
place TO rule over them.
"A congregational meeting being called
10 decide the matter. IL was no surprise
mat the bills and valleys, the mountains
and plains. gave up long strings OF home
clad men and sun-bonneted women. who
gave their unanimous voice In favor OF
retaining their beloved pastor.
THE PlBROcH SOUNDED.
THE pibroch sounded. and from all the
surrounding communities they came pour
ing IN The clans are coming--some walk
tpk. others on horseback. and yet others
n rssons and carriages. They rally