PRATTSBURGH
Steuben
County
New York
NEWSPAPER TIDBITS
|
|
PRATTSBURGH |
|
|
NEWSPAPER TIDBITS | ||
1873
| THE
PRESBYTERY OF STEUBEN. The Presbytery of Steuben met a Prattsburgh, Tuesday evening, April 15th, 1873. The opening sermon was preached by the retiring moderator, the Rev. M. B. Gelston of Naples. The Rev. D. Chichester of Hammondsport was elected moderator, and the Rev. C. N. Austin temporary clerk. The morning prayer-meeting of an hour's length was very interesting and spiritual. The Rev. J. V. C. Nellis was received from the Presbytery of Cayuga, and placed in charge at Addison. Mr. Theodore B. Williams of Campbell was, after a well-sustained examination, ordained as an Evangelist Sermon by the Rev. W. A. Niles, D. D., of Hornellsville; and charge to the candidate, by the Rev. S. W. Pratt of Prattsburgh. The narrative of the state of religion showed a healthy increase in the membership of the churches and Sunday schools, and an advance from 20 to 150 per cent in benevolence in the different churches. The church at Naples reported a revival, as the fruit of which six united with the church at the last communion. Prattsburgh has enjoyed a refreshing, continuing from the Week of Prayer till the 1st of April, when the weather made it necessary to stop the meetings. Over seventy have been in the enquiry meeting, a large number of whom give good evidence of conversion. Hornellsville reported twenty conversions, though no general revival. A discussion on Beneficence was held Wednesday evening, led by Dr. Niles in a speech of great power. The meetings were well attended by the people; and on the whole, we regard this as the most profitable meeting of Prsbytery we ever attended. It cannot but prove a great blessing to the church with which it met. In the evening Mr. and Mrs. C. R. St. John opened their parlors to the Presbytery for a social reception, which passed off delightfully. Prattsburgh is a beautiful village. The wisdom and piety of its founders are still bearing fruit. Franklin Academy still flourishes as a specimen of their wisdom. A specimen of their piety was brought to light a few days ago in the closing words of the "Last Will and Testament" of Judge Robert Porter, brother of the deceased Dr. Noah Porter of Farmington, Ct., and uncle of Dr. Porter, now President of Yale College: "Finally, I leave with my children an important blessing in the favor of Almighty God, derived to us from the prayers of our pious ancestors, especially those of my late remarkable and much respected father; not that children are entitled to blessings on account of the piety of parents, whether they walk with God or not, but the promise is that He will be a Father to them; His providences shall be about them for good; and He will, in most cases, bestow upon them the benign influences of the Holy Spirit, to prepare them for Heaven. The sweet remembrance of the just, Like a green root, revives and bears A train of blessing for his heirs When dying nature sleeps in dust." (The writer of the above died August 20, 1848.) Settled in Prattsburgh in the Spring of 1806. This blessing has continued to descend upon his generations; and it was his grand-daughter, a leader in every good work, that the Presbytery were entertained by. The fathers of this church are falling fast as the Autumn leaves; and it is a matter of joy that the children are taking their places. STEUBEN. New York Evangelist (New York, NY) May 1, 1873, page 6. |
Jury Censures Saloon Keepers. |