Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-05-06
Augusta IPreSbyterials Celebrate.

Augusta IPresbyterials Celebrate
THE a5Oth ANNIVERSARY OF THE
WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY
HONORED.
On April 29th, 1647, the great Westminste
Assembly in session in Westminster Abbey
completed the most important part OF thei
valuable work.
On April goth, 1897. the Presbyterians Of
Staunton and Augusta county met to cele
brate the 25Oth anniversary. Elaborate
preparations had been made by the two
local churches. An extensive program hao
been prepared. History and Biography
Doctrine and Influence. had been assigned
to able men for treatment. And as session
after session was held the hearers found
that the planning had not been in vain.
On Thursday at p. m. a large and at
tentive audience gathered in the First Pres
byterian church The Rev. A. M. Fraser,
d. D., presided with his usual tact and
skill. After some stirring music and the
invocation made by Rev. e. w. Finley, u.
D., the address of the evening was delivered.
Rev. Ii A. White. D. D., of Washington
and Lee University. was the speaker OF the
occasion. His subject was-'The Political
and Ecclesiastical Conditions which led to
the calling of the Westminster Assembly
Staunton audiences always expect some
thing good when DIR. White is announced to
speak. So they were prepared for the fine
address they heard. His language was
'well of English undefiled." His sentences
were short. clear. vivid. And with great
power he gathered up the threads unraveled
from the tangled skein of history from l543
to 1913, showing clearly how the irresista-
BILE trend of events demanded the calling of
the assembly, and made its work neces-
sity.
The next session was on Friday morning
at II o'clock. The Rev. A. 81. Hamilton OF
Mt. Carmel church presiding. A delightful
solo was sung by Mrs. H. Jordan, and the
invocation was offered by Rev. j. H. a..
Winfree of Churchville.
The address had been prepared by Rev.
T. 9. johnson, D. D., professor Of Clientele
History at Union Theological Seminary. Its
subject 1.-THE Intellectual and Moral char
acter and Qualification of the Westminster
Assembly, as compared with any other great
Clientele Council" Much to the regret Of
his friends DR.. johnson was unable to be
present by reason of the temporary failure
of his voice. The paper was read by Rev.
j. M. Wells. 1t was quite scholarly adj
dress, clear and forceful. The writer
showed why the assembly had been under
valued in many quarters and its members
assailed, why it was deserving of the high
est praise and the highest rank among SIM
liar bodies. And, concluded with series
Of short sketches of the most distinguished
of the assembly.
The afternoon session began at 2.3O p. m.
Judge Chas. Grattan of Staunton. presid-
ing. Rev. S. W. Haddon of Old Providence
church, made the opening prayer.
The first address was by the Rev. Thorn
ton Whaling, d. D., of Lexington. He gave
quite graphic picture of the way in which
the assembly did its work, and an excellent
summary of the work really done.
This was followed by an address by Mr..
j. A. Waddell of Staunton. His subject was
1.-The Shorter Catechism." No one could
have been chosen better fitted for the topic.
All who know Mr.. Waddell (and who in
county does not know him) recog-
nize in him living example of the power
of the Shorter Catechism to mould charac-
ter and make the highest type Of manhood
His paper was enjoyed by all.
The closing address was by the Rev. T..
W. Finley, ID. d., of Fishersville. The sub
ject Of the address was-."The Doctrines Of
Calvinlsm in Notable Revivals of Relig-
ion." Again the right man in the right
place. With his customary ability DR.. Fin
ley traced the history of all the great and
widespread revivals of religion and their
relation to the type of doctrine under dis
cussiOn.
The evening from to II o'clock was spent
in delightful reception rendered to the
visitors and the congregations of the First
and Second churches by the ladies of the
two congregations. in the lecture room Of
the First church. Quite large crowd en-
joyed the hospitality of the ladies, and
mingled in friendly conversation. AS on
the other occasions, so here, ''the blue" was
largely in evidence.
SATURDAY.
On Saturday the clouds were lowering
and the rain was falling. but the attendance
was very good upon all the services. Mr.. S.
Brown Allen presided over the moring SER
vices. After music and the invocation he
introduced the Rev. r. A. Lapsley pastor of
Bethel church. Mr.. Lapsley read an orig
nal poem upon 1.-The Covenanters, or the
First Generation Raised ON the Shorter
Catechism. The poem beautifully re-
counted the suffering and herolsm of those
Cody people. And gave vivid picture of
those bastard ly prosecutions that DIR. Hoge
so aptly characterized on Sunday night as
Mot the darkest blot on the annals of
time, but the darkest blot on the annals Of
And as he drew the picture of the
of our forefathers, tears of SYM
pathy glistened in many eyes. What higher
VI 1OutO w uuO PoWOA OOuAu A6t . UCOA dohCu
Next Maj. T. j. Kirkpatrick, a learned
and distinguished elder of the First Church
was introduced. His subject
was-"The Catholic Spirit of the Presbyte-
rian church, The address was able and
threw flood of light on the subject to
many.
Through pouring rain came many to the
afternoon service. Capt. L. G. Morton pre-
sided gracefully and we'll over the services.
After the invocation by Rev. e. S. NJ. See,
and the hearty singing of "All people that
on earth do dwell, the Rev. F. j. Brooke
was introduced. He has been for years the
Evangelist of Lexington Presbytery. and
there was decided fitness in his discussing
the subject-"Calvanism and the Masses
The subject was delivered with force and
ability and was enjoyed by all.
Maj. Jed Hotchkiss next made an enter
ia ming ia liz IN tT'ha Influence of tho Wocf