The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-08-29


Memorial Church, Richmond Mr.. Pratt delivered
two able sermons to excellent congregations The
work at Damascus begun in the summer of
1902, by Rev. w. H. T. Squires of Bristol and
has been ever since mission of the Central
Church, Bristol. But Abingdon Presbytery has
always rendered efficient aid, without which the
success of the work would not have been possible
At the first Sabbath-school was organized and
services held IN an uncomfortable
blacksmith shop, kindly rendered us by Mr. J. L.
Gpin. AT that time Damascus was only village
surrounded by towering mountains. Now the
town has grown to very considerable proportions.
The work thus started by Mr. Squres and eight
or ten Presbyterians of the most determined type
has continued to grow until the present Mr. Tilden
Sherer, then candidate of Abingdon Presbytery,
did fine work, laying foundations, and beginning
the Building Fund. Mr.. Sherer was followed by
Mr. l. j. Mcconnell and Mr. L. Delaney. By Mr..
Delaneys untiring energy, a sufficient sum was
raised to start the church building. He proved
himself capable and enthusiastic agent, canvass
ing the stronger churches in Southwest Virginia
and even securing subscriptions from Richmond
and Philadelphia The work of construction has
gone forward under the eye of Ruling Elder Clar-
ence L. Graham, and the doors of the new church
were opened Sunday, July IS. Mr.. Frank E. Clark,
who has the work in charge this summer,
preached for the first time in the church. The
little church is not entirely of debt, but we
have plans afoot which will probably liquidate
the small balance remaining against us. The little
band of Presbyterans is now much encouraged
The Sabbath-schoo is in hourishing condition.
and soon hope to have regular preaching This
brief recital of the facts goes to show what even
a small number of Gods faithful children can
do, when they labor counting no cost and no dis
enlargement
Lexlngton.-lhe town has been well occupied
this summer by visitors from all directions
Among the soJourners are number of ministers
missionaries who enjoy the society of the town
and each other. The Rev Mr.. Railey is the SUP
ply Tor the August Sundays, and has fine congre-
CATIONS at the morning services. He has been
assisted by the Rev. H W. Myers, of Japan and
the Rev. c. Myers, of williamson West Va
two of Lexngton's ministerial sons. Dr. Stricken
is here from Atlanta, and usual has many en-
gagements to preach. Mr.. Booker, our Superin-
tendent of Synodical Missions has home here
but is always ION the road" asking the churches
what they are going to do about the support and
development of the evangelical work in the two
Virginias. DR.. Richard McIwaine is coming in
few days to tie matrimonial knot, as if the dozen
or more OF the clergymen here not enough
for such an achievement. 1t will not be long be-
tore these ministers will be gone and forgotten
and the distinguished professors of university and
institute will have the floor.
Lexington.-Rev DIR. Thornton Whaling for
pastor of the Lexington PRESBYTERIAN Church
now of Dallas, Texas, preached to delighted audi
ences at the Presbyterian Church After the SER
vices he was cordially greeted by many of his old
parishioners While in Lexington he was the
guest of Mr.. and Mrs. Matthew W. Paxton
Lexington Presbytery.-A special meeting of
Lexington Presbytery held in Staunton on
Saturday, Aug 18th, in the First Church. Dr. w
N. Scott Moderator A call from a church in
Canada for the services of the Rev T. J. Thomp-
son, OF Buena Vista Rev. c. r. Strbling repre-
sented by request both the Canada and the Buena
Vista Churches and Mr. Thompson's pastoral re-
lations were dissolved. He was granted a dismis-
sion to Presbytery in Canada. The brethren
had never seen ministerial call quite so e1abo-
rately gotten UP this one from Canada neatly
bound in dark morocco as it with gilt lettering
on the cover addressed to the Buena Vista pastor
and the call very handsomely engrossed within
signed by the officers members and adherents of