The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-05-16

ture had vigorously washed her face with a good
shower, and like all the other wellordered DANES
donned her new spring gown, not emitting the
spring blossoms AS joined the sedate throng
of church goers that lined the sidewalks we could
not help remarking that LeXingtonians knew lit
tie of how Sabbath kept or not kept in other
places. railroad stops its trains that day-ce
wagons, milk wagons, newsDoys conspicuous
only by their absence sweet and old-time Sab
bath spirit pervades the atmosphere, and the queC
is only broken by the mellow sound OF the cnurcn
BELLS
We do not know place where the simplicity
of the Presbyterian worship is in
beauty and attract1Yeness as here. There are no
hints of any of the modern frlls of ritualism yet
the service is appropriate, consistent and
harmonious, that it is absolutely satisfying. The
hearty congregational singing is most notable and
refreshing feature, and in great contrast with the
Vo1ceesS congregations in many of our churches
notable feature of the Sabbath services here is
that the Sabbath-school is held, not in the morn
ing before service but in the afternoon and there
is night service. The day is given to religious
worship and study of the Bible. The Sabbath
school hour is half-past four and it was an inspir
ing sight to see the school assemble. 1t truly
the ideal of Sunday church meeting
together for the study of Gods Word-from the
infant to the grey-haired saint The school spread
itself out the great auditorium, up into the
galleries and overlooked into the adjacent lecture
room. Pastor, elders deacons were there and
working. Under the regime it is a recent
change under the new pastor-the school has more
than doubled in size, and is still growing. And
plans already made to erect large modern
school building. The large number of men, both
young and middle aged who in at
tendance and seemed deeply interested in the study
of the Bible, was very remarkable, and in
trast with the conditions in most Sabbath-schools
The school is thoroughly graded, and earnest,
systematic study is done. Glasses of all grades
above the infants encouraged to prepare writ
ten analyses of the lesson, and examinations are
held at stated times The catechsm was very
much in evidence, and the glib heartiness with
which the answers rung out inspiring.
The results of the change of the Sabbath-school
from morning to afternoon and abolishing the
evening service thus far gratifying to those
who favored it. 1t has enlisted large part of the
congregation in the study of the Bible; it has
suited in great increase in the attendance the
schools it gives the pastor opportunity to assist in
the school without overwork; it leaves the evening
free for the home life and quiet reading religious
literature. The plan is to be commended to
churches.
The evening of the Sabbath the crown of the
day. Around the mother the queen gath
cred her SUBJECTS children and grandchildren and
a few chance guests, and the twilight fell the
old familiar hymns sung. The blending of
childish trebel and mature voices, the sweet cd
words and tunes, many of which had sung as
children around her knee, the placid look of en-
joyment on the face of the aged saint then pause
for the handed tea and sandwich and then the
hymns resumed, ending with THE Sweet BY and
By and then the preacher read the picture of
the Land that is fairer than day from the
twenty irst of Revelation and the little companv
ended the evening at the feet of the King Truly
1T was day of rest of the heart"
EVANGELISTIC AND HOME MISSION WORK.