The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1857-12-12
PASTORAL LETTER.

The following is an extract from the adj
mirable Pastoral Letter of the Convention
of Synods at Pittsburg, to the churches
within their bounds. Read, pray, act.
Brethren. we are IN PRESSING NEED OF A
REVIVAL. For the honor of Christ's cause,
which suffers, alas, so much reproach in its
ministry and eldership, and membership
for the maintenance of his truth, which is
sighted, and its authority disparaged, and
It's purity corrupted, so sure as God with
draws himself from our midst-for the sake
of our own souls, that while we preach to
others we be not castaways-for the sake OF
these worldly families which will perish,
both parents and children, if God come not
speedily-for the sake of our own baptized
sons and daughters, who must grow up in
sin, and be lost, if the Holy Spirit come not
for their regeneration-for the sake of the
whole community, who are hardening in
worldlness, and becoming more unbelieving
on account of the deafness of religion in the
church-for the sake of our Academies,
Colleges, and our Theological Seminary,
that the ministry may be adequately re-
inforced, and that ministry may be kept
pure, while increasing bands of our young
men shall go forth in the true spirit of the
Master. Brethren, are you sensible of this
urgent necessity for revival of religion in
your own midst? Contemplate, we pray
you, the awful consequences of continuing
longer in this declining state.
If only there could be aroused among us
such an intense anxiety for this reviving,
as now exists for revival of commercial
confidence; if only the whole community
could be moved for our spiritual decensions
as they are for this monetary depression; if
there could be any such lively zeal to over
come the embarrassments, and to restore
the former prosperity in our Zion; if there
could be equal interest in the first symptoms
of revving religion as in the indications of
reviving trade-how speedily and gloriously
the blessing would come. Alas! if your
anxiety for such commercial recovery
should possibly be at this moment diverting
your attention from the reviving of true
piety in your own hearts.
There are hindrances to this work of
God, from ministerial uataahtalness. We
confess our deafness; our lack in the mea-
sures of personal piety; our frequent neglect
in pastoral visitation; in Catechetcal in
struction; in personal labors with the wan
dering and careless; in ministerial interces-
sions; in plain, direct, earnest, faithful
preaching of the Word of God: and in
fearless church discipline. We that are
ruling elders, take confusion of face to our
selves that we have not properly watched
over the flock, and aided the pastor in his
arduous parochal work; that we have not
faithfully visited the sick, and sought to re-
claim the errng whom we have met in our
walks of life. Brethren, pray for us, that
the Great Head of the church may purify
the sons of Levi, and purge them as silver
is purged.
But, dear brethren, are there no him
ORANGES from the chu1ch membership? Have
you not sought popular preaching most of
all to fill your houses, and pay off your
church debts, and Tighten the burden of
the ministry Have you not
been carried away with the food of worldli
ness, so that cupidity, and grasping, and
unholy greed of gain, have characterized
you? Have you not thus withholden from
Gods treasury what he has justly claimed,
until he has smitten your idols of silver and
cold before your eyes2 Have you not
sadly conformed to the world-loved its
pleasures, followed its examples, adopted its
maxims in your business, in your families,
n your private living? Have you habitu-
ally recognized Gods claim to all you have
md are2 Are you cultivating personal pie
~? Are you faithful in family religion?
Do you seek for your sons the honor of
preaching Christ, and of serving him in the
Gospel ministry ; as farsupcrior to the high
,st honors of the world? Are you educa-
ing your daughters under Christian nhu-
,nces, whether at home or abroad and are
you training them according to your bap-
isma covenant? Has the social prayer
meeting been witness to your zeal for souls,
md has the monthly concert of prayer found
.ou one of the praying ones of the church?
And does the secret closet daily find you,
Is one of the tue Israel, wrestling with