Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-05-20
sTAUNToN SPECTATOR And INDICATOR
LEXINGTON PREsBYTERl.

LEXINGTON PRESBYTERA.
Il Large Observation-Disclosures Enter
interesting Session-Important
Action-Good Preaching, SC.
RAPHINE, May 15-The meeting of Lex
ington Presbytery at Mt. Carmel church,
near Midway, this week, was one of the
largest and most interesting sessions of that
venerable body that have been held in its
history. Several features connected with it
are not generally known. This Presbytery
is the largest in the synod of Virginia and
also the largest in the General Assembly of
the Southern church, while Mt, Carmel
church, of which Rev. A. ID. Hamilton is
pastor. is the largest country church in the
Synod of Virginia, and the second largest
in the Southern Assembly.
The attendance of delegates was SO minis
tiers, 80 elders, 2 licentiates. corresponding
members, and visiting ministers of other
denominations. total of 70 on the floor.
ENTERTAINMENT.
There were a number OF visitors from
Staunton, Lexington, and the neighboring
villages and Presbyterian congregations,
anG though the church building from floor
to gallery was several times packed to It's
utmost capacity and the church yard over
flowed with the thrOng, the hospitality of
the people was never once overtaxed, and
the booths, and tents, and tables around the
church always had room for the last conner,
while everybody had an abundance of the
| of of Of 10
admirable for receiving the visitors at the
different trains, where they were met by
young men with buggies and driven to their
homes and there provided with conveyances
to and from the church and every comfort
and hospitality that even an unreasonable
man could expect.
| THE OFFICERS.
| The moderator was Rev. j. M. Wells of
Staunton Second church, and an excellent
presiding officer he made. This is the second
time within two years that this church has
| furnished the body with moderator. Rev.
j. 81. Davis of Fairfield, and elder John W.
Stephenson of Warm Springs, were clerks.
MINISTERIAL CHANGES.
Among the ministerial changes made was |
the dismissal of Rev. E. M. Shook from
Basic City to church in Illinois, arrang-
ing for the transfer Of Rev. Arnold Hall of |
Shemariah church to the evangelistic field |
in West Virginia, and receiving call from |
the Highland churches Of Monterey, Pisgah |
and Crabbottom. for the pastoral services |
of Rev. j. W. Holt of Hinton, W. Va. An |
adjourned meeting In Staunton First church |
fbn ivck xxv;J fIo fvnr forI
of Mr.. Hall to his new field. Bensalem |
church was authorized to employ Rev. e.
W. Trawick for part of his time; Union |
church, Rev. e. s. M. See, and Pendleton |
church, ReY. j. Spencer Smith. Mr.. Harry
W. Myers of Lexington, just graduated
from Louisville Seminary, was recommend
ed for foreign missionary appointment
HOME MISSIONS.
A large congregation heard the consider
alton of the subject of Home Missions,
which was presented in a very interesting |
way by the chairman Of that committee,
Rev. A. H. Hamilton. He showed that
much efficient work had been done by the
home missionaries and the work to be in
excellent condition, but funds are needed
for its proper prosecution the present year,
and churches were urged, at the August col
lection, to complete their full apportion.
ment for this object, or the devoted home
missionaries must suffer. Rev. DR.. Finley
and Rev. F. j. Brooke made addresses.
FOREIGN MISSIONS.
The subject of Foreign Missions was dis
cussed before crowded and very attentive
audience. Rev. ]. N. Vandeventer, chair
man, presided, MI. Harry W. Myers offered
prayer, the missionary hymn was sung with
spirit by the fine choir, and fine addresses
were made by Rev. g. W. Trawick of Bue-
ma Vista, and Rev. DR.. 7. g. Whaling Of
Lexington. Presbytery and the whole con-
gregation were much impressed by the re-
ports and discussion of this subject. and it
will be very strange if much good does not
come out Of that meeting.
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
The following commissioners were elected
to attend the meeting of the General Assem-
bly, at Char lotte, N. g., commencing on the
Goth inst, Rev. DR.. A. r. Cooke of Waynes-
boro, Rev. G. d. Gilkeson. Beverly, W. Va,
and Elders W. M. McAllister of Warm
Springs, and J. P. Mcclure of Buena Vista.
Upon motion of Rev. DR.. A. NJ. Fraser an
overture to the General Assembly was unan-
imously adopted asking that body to pro-
vide for the publication in book form of |
the addresses and papers on the Westmin-
ster Assembly which have been and may
be heard within the bounds of the church |
on this the memorable 250th anniver sary of |
the adoption of the memorable symbols of |
i the church.
SABBATH SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES.
Rev. j. E. Booker, chairman of the COM
| mittee, presented carefully prepared re-
port on Sabbath Schools, showing that de |
partment of the church to be in flourish |
ing condition with about $500 scholars in |
| the various schools Of the Presbytery, and |
the contributions made through them to be |
a very important element in the make up Of |
the church finances. It appearing that |
about 100 elders and 100 deacons within the |
bounds Of presbytery took no active part in !
Sabbath school work, a committee consist |
ing of Rev. DR.. A. NJ. Fraser, Rev. j. H. II. |
Winfree and T. q. Morton, was appointed |!
! to prepare paper urging those officers of |
the church to greater activity in this direc- |
| ton. A permanent committee consisting of |
Revs. G. W. Trawiok, j. H. Davis. Jr., and |
| Elder I. F. Amole, was appointed on young
peoples societies.
PRESBYTERIAN SERMONS.
Rev. A. r. Cooke ID. D., by appointment, |
delivered valuable discourse Wednesday |
to large congregation, on the Importance
OF attendance on the services of the church. |
Rev. Thornton e. Whaling, D. D., was ap-
pointed to preach the Presbyterial sermon |
at the next meeting, ON the Distinctive
Features of Presbyterianism." Rev. X. A. |
Lapsley as his alternate.
THE MANUAL. !
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