The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1862-11-27
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
The Gen. Assembly's Domestic His
sionary Operations.
MONTGOMERY ALA, Nov. 1871 go.

MONTGOMERY ALA, NOv. 1872 ~.
The committee of Domestic Missions or
qan;zed by the first General Assembly of
the Presbyterian church in the Confederate
States, vas designed as the agency for the
whole church in this branch of benevolent
operations. Even if particular Presbyte-
ries preferred to do their own work within
their own bounds, it was the understanding
that they would, in addition, aid the gene
raj cause represented by the General AS
semblys committee. limo other way could
the weak Presbyteries be strengthened,
and the aggressive frontier work of evan
gelizaton be prosecuted and in no other
way could the church be rendered a unit in
carving forward its Domestic Missionary
interests.
If such was the idea and design of the
Assembly in constituting this committee
the experience of now nearly year, proves
that it has not been realized. But very
small proportion of the churches have, as
yet, IN any way co-operated. From the
bounds of entire Synods almost nothing has
been received. From some Of orr largest,
most wealthy and liberal city churches, not
q dollar has come into our treasury. 1t ID
Obvious mat meas &c cur churshes e.lo .
Their failing to contribute to Domestic Mis-
sions, or that their contributions are con-
fined exclusively to the work within their
own Presbyteries. Should this state OF
thiLe8 continue, it is Impossible That toe
work for which the General Assembly or
ganized its committee can be prosecuted,
and the committee, of course, must become
a nnlltty. We sOlewnly PROFOUND TO every
pastor and church session, the question,
Are you willing to see the designs of 'the
church as regards the great work of spread
ing the Gospel in our land, thus set aside
and frustrated2" We have no idea that
such is the fact, and feel assured that
when the state Of the case is once fairly
before the minds of our church officers,
they will see to it that the proper co-opera-
ton is secured.
The want of contributions into our treas
uryat this time, is particularly embarrassing.
Only small part of the surplus remaining
on hand at the meeting of the last General
Assembly has been available to this COM
mittee,-the greater portion OF that balance
being still in the hands of the regular
Treasurer. The use Of that considerable
sum, with the occasional contributions VIC
are receiving, would have carried us through
the winter Bat we are not only deprived
of that, but shall also be of the usually
large contributions received from the city
Of New Orleans and from other liberal
churches in the Mississippi region, because
Of the presence CT proximity to them of
the enemy.
The committee have carefully abstained
from increasing their appropriations, or in
any way expanding their operations in these
circumstances but they will not be able to
meet even the demands for which they are
already responsible, unless the churches
promptly come to the relief Of the rapidly
diminishing treasury. It's earnestly hoped
that the suggestions of this brief paper,
will suffice to secure, not only the means Of
meeting immediate wants, but also the as
signing to this important cause, perma-
nent place on the schedule of each church
for stated systematic contributions. AS to
the present, the abundance Of money in
the country, ought to furnish ample re-
sources for every object OF beneyolence.-
May God endow each one of his people with
liberal heart.
Contributions to be addressed to Israel
". Roberts, Esq, Treasurer, Montgomery,
ALA. BY order Of the committee
JOHN LEYBURN,
Ger Doyn. Miss.