The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-12-21
TWO CENTRAL AGENCIES.

The present pecuniary crisis Of our affairs as
a Church demands ceaseleSs care and constant
toll. We are poor very poor yet If we be
rich in faith and active in the labors Of love-
and ready for some degree of self-denial, we
shall be able to stand we shall renew our
strength we shall advance.
1t has not been in vain that Christian benev-
olence has been directed by our Central Agen-
cies to the wants Of our Ministers and Theolo-
gical Students, our feeble congregations and
EvangeEsts.
LIST. The Ladies Central Association Of the
Synod Of Virginia, and its auxiIiaries, while
they have not been able to meet all the de-
mands that have come thiekly upon them, have
already accomplished much. Young men are
at the Seminary, or preparing to go, who with
out the aid received from this Agency had no
prospect whatever Of being able to enter; and
there has been a steady flow of contributions
to the institution, through this channel, Of
supplies which were absolutely indispensable
to the continuance of thestudentS already there
Every dollar of money and every pound Of pro-
visions given to the ladies, and every needle
drawn by them has produced results in pro
noting the mental culture Of men, and proyi-
ding for the spiritual improvements and enlarge
ment of the Church, which, while they show
our dependence in these high objects upon ma
terial instruments, do give wonderful dignity
to every little act that is done toward providing
piece of bread, or a single garment for those
who are enlisted in the cause of Christ. Man
cannot live, cannot study, cannot labor unless
he is clothed and fed; the hand therefore
which supplies these wants for those who are
called to the Masters vineyard is as impor-
tant, in its place, as any other power that is
given TO promote the great work Of redemp-
ton
BY the operations Of the Ladies Associa-
tons. ministers also have been encouraged to
continue upon fields which they were almost
ready to abandon in despair. Some who were
not supplied with clothing for their own per-
sons, or their families, for the winter, have re-
ceiyed seasonable assistance which lifts great
burden from their minds, changes the gloomy
aspect of their anticipations to one more cheer
ful and bright, and enables them to prosecute
labors and meet appointments for preaching
the Gospel which otherwise had been utterly
impyactieable These simple statements, which
do not reveal half the details of want existing
want supplied or usefulness promoted by this
humble and unpretending organization, will be
sufficient, we hope, still further to enlist the
sympathies of the friends whose lberality has
furnished the means by which so much has al
ready been done, to excite others to take part
in so good work, and to stimulate the active
workers upon whom it devolves to prepare and
put in shape the materials contributed for
clothing
In order to give direction to the benevolence
of those who may have not hitherto aided, We
will Indicate the modes and kinds Of contribu-
tons adopted in various localities One con-
creation has undertaken the entire support Of
Observation-Disclosures student; anothermakes
up box of material for clothing, or sends a
great variety of garments already made for the
various members of ministers family: from
one city there comes 4 supply Of blankets for
the Seminary, from another supply Of Ker-
oseue oil: the good peoplein some of our rural
districts fiji boxes with provisions and send
them off to the same institution liberal
minded Christian gentleman, Of the poor
South. whose beneyoence has continued all the
year round. pours forth, at the close of the
wear, Christmas offering, by which minis
ter's salary is supplemented, student who
waited at home without means, is hurried off
to the Seminary, five others are refreshed with
welcome gifts. an over-coat flies upon the back
of country clergyman, and an assortment of
family supplies goes into the larder of another
minister: last, but not least, two little children
send to Richmond, for the ladies, the sum Of
five dollars, which they have determined to
give to the objects of the Association, rather
than to the luxuries OF tla I,idays, as they at
first intended. Contributions in money and
other kinds have come from various parts Of
the country, overlapping geographical and po-
Itical limits, and giving the assurance Of a
Christian sympathy and generous iberahty, at
once honorable to the donors, and grateful even
beyond the value Of the very acceptable gifts,
10 the feelings of the benefciaries.
The value of money and supplies already re-
ceived and distributed, is more than three
thousand dollars since the operations began
about the first of October
As the Seminary is common object of in
terest to all within the bounds of the Assem-
bly,. and especiaIyto Presbyterians in the State
of North Carolina, and as the same restitution
no doubt exists in other States as in Virginia,
we shall be glad to record any similar efforts
that have beenmade, ormay hereafter be made
by the ladies of other Synods.
ANY further information needed, as to the
present wants and plans of the Virginia Asso-
citation, may at once be obtained by addressing
the editors of the Central Presbyterian; and
any contributions sent to us, will at once find
their proper place.
ID. The Central Agencies for Domestic Mis-
sions-to be found in the Missionary Commit
tees of our Presbyteries-demand the fostering
care and liberal donations Of all who have the
ability to give anything, even widow mite, to
the cause of Christ Taking East Hanover Pres
bytery as an illustrations we know that there
are many churches which cannot call Pastor
because they can get no aid from the Mission
arv Committee to enable them to do so, while
there are ministers out of employment, and
anxious to be at work, who would gladly serve