The Roanoke Times

IMPORTANT MISSIONARY WORK.

Members of the Presbyterian Church Donate $7,500.

Summary of the Labors of the Evangelistic Committee Appointed for the Synod of Virginia—The Cause of Home Missions Deemed of Vital Importance—Six Evangelists Appointed—Who They Are and Where They Will Labor.

The following article clearly outlines the work which is laid upon the six evangelists selected by the committee of the Presbyterian synod, which met in Lynchburg on the 16th instant:

The evangelistic committee for the synod of Virginia, appointed during its late meeting at Staunton, Va., held their monthly meeting at Lynchburg on the 16th. Rev. Dr. Rosebro, Rev. Dr. McIlwaine, Rev. Mr. Hemphill, Capt. R. B. Moomaw and Major T. J. Kirkpatrick constitute the committee, all of whom were present.

The cause of home missions is one of vital interest to all Virginians. The rapid increase of population and the irreligious character of a large portion of those seeking homes in Virginia, especially in the manufacturing and mining sections of the State, has impressed all thoughtful minds and the necessity of earnest Christian effort in their behalf.

To accomplish such purpose individual members of the Presbyterian Church in Virginia have contributed $7,500 for evangelistic work during the present year, conditioned upon the pledge of the churches within the bounds of the synod to duplicate their contribution.

The whole amount contributed to be expended under the supervision of this special committee, for the competent evangelistic labor under the direction of the several Presbyteries in destitute sections of the State, and where their counsel and influence may seem most needful.

To christianize, and make more intelligent and useful those who are destined year after year to wield ever increasing influence as citizens, is surely an important work.

Six evangelists have been selected by the committee, as follows:

Rev. Dr. Finley, to labor in Abingdon and part of Montgomery Presbytery.

Rev. Thornton Wilson, to labor either in Montgomery Presbytery, or in Roanoke Presbytery and part of West Hanover.

Rev. Dr. H. I. Harvey, to labor either in Roanoke Presbytery and West Hanover, or in part of Montgomery Presbytery.

Rev. Dr. James P. Smith, to labor in Chesapeake and West Hanover Presbytery.

Rev. F. M. Woods, to labor in Winchester and Maryland Presbytery.

Rev. D. A. Penick, to labor in Greenbrier Presbytery.

If, as is hoped, these ministers are willing to accept the duties assigned them and their Presbyteries authorized them to do so, then the whole of the synod will be at least partially provided for and solid foundation laid for a noble work in future. No assignment has yet been made to East Hanover Presbytery, where Rev. Dr. W. A. Campbell is already doing a successful work as a Presbyterial evangelist, or to Lexington Presbytery where Rev. Dr. Brooke is also efficiently laboring.

So far as already heard from, the churches are responding liberally to the appeal made by the synod in aid of this cause, and the committee think the outlook hopeful that the churches will duplicate the $7,500 pledged by individual members of the churches.

In their present condition all that is needed is to give the people "more light," so that they may have full knowledge of the importance of this work, and the fact that every dollar they contribute insures two dollars to be judiciously used in behalf of home mission work within the limits of our own State.

The committee will hold their next meeting on February 18. Dr. I. W. Rosebro, chairman of the committee, will take pleasure in giving any desired information to those interested in this work. His address is Petersburg, Va.

Persons desiring to make individual contribution to this laudable work can forward same to Carter R. Bishop, Sr., cashier National Bank, Petersburg, Va.