The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-10-19

Seminary, in the present embaras-
ed condition of its finances and we have been
anxiously inquiring how its professors and stu
dents can be supported. We have also been
looking over our vast domestic missionary field
and in view Of its desolations, and the impov-
erishment of our people, have been wondering
how our demolished church edifces can be re-
built. and how those who minister in the war
ravaged region can be fed and clothed.
In the plan proposed i'll the resolutions offer
ed by DIR. Brown, you have the answer.
1t will not sound extravaga CANT to any who are
familiar with the history Of what was accomp-
lished by the women Of our country during the
past four years, to say, revive the industrial
societies which lately existed among them, and
let the same energy be displayed in providing
for the wants of our students and missionaries
that was exhibited in behalf of our soldiers
durinr the war-and the work will be done.
The record of the past will at least serve to IL
ustrate what is possible in the future, though
the field of enterprise Is henceforth to be that
of peace. There was a time when the hearts
and hands of the female members of our con-
gregations were enlisted in behalf of the lifted,
ill-clad soldiers of the Confederate army
Those days have gone There is no longer a
call for their cooperation in such cause, but
the history of what they accomplished then Is
instructive, for it shows what they have 1t IN
their power to effect in a higher and more be-
nefcent sphere Their toilr.. Turing that period
were but qualifying them for such efforts as are
now demanded for the upbuilding Of the king
dom of Christ
Only consider what they did effect during
the era referred TO, and from it let us learn,
and let them learn what they may accomplish
now.
During the first year of the war there was a
society formed in Richmond, composed Of
members from all the different churches in the
city, for the benefit of the soldiers in the camps
and hospitals 1t had a depot for receiving
supplies, under the charge of the Young Men S
Christian Association. To this central society
there wen many Others auxiliary, in the neigh
boring counties, which sent 10 Richmond large
quantities of provisions, clothing, DC. The
ladies of each church sewed diligently every
day in their respective Lecture-rooms, and it is
wonderful to remember what their industry
and perseverance effected. As an Illustration
Of their efhciency-at one Of the Lecture rooms
the ladies made eighty overcoats for an artille-
ry company in few days,-the fannels for
another large company in a still shorter time, -
and several thousand beds for the Purveyor
General of the Hospitals, beside mnumerable
sheets, pillow cases, and towels. But whas
will give still better idea of their efficiency is
the fact that the ladies of this central society,
with its auXiliaries, made all the new clothing
needed for the entire army in Virginia for sew
eral months; for though the war commenced in
the spring, it was not until the fall Of the year
that the government established clothing
bureau.
In addition to this they collected and for
wardeda largc supply of provisions to our troops
in different parts of the field, and especially to
the hospitals.
Now apply al this to the present exigency,
and see how easily similar agency may be
made available We have few theological
SluutlllS " DOdIu anu ClOtlt, a lllNlC DdiA
of domestic missionaries to be supplied. All
the members of the Synod would not so tax the
resources of these good ladies as did the sol
diers TO whom they ministered, even were
they to require an entire support from them
food, raiment, salaries and all Can they not
then readily provide the little company Of young
men at the Seminary (alas that it is so SMALL
with rations and with bedding and clothing?
Can they not also forward supplies Of every
sort needed by our domestic missionaries, and
pastors too, whose people have been scattered
or impoverished by the war-and not only for
these destitute brethren, but for their families
also, if families they have, needing aid?
1t will be small undertaking compared with
what they have already shown themselves ca
pable of doing in a different field of activity
True they will not be able from their own
resources to supply the materials needed to be
worked into shape by their skill, but we may be
sure that there arc those in Baltimore and
elsewhere, who will cheerfully furnish them
cloth, and lnen and whatever else may be re-
quired for the use of our students and mission
aries; and already supplies of this sort are on
the way, in anticipation of the organizations
about to be formed in Richmond and else
where
Thus we see light breaking on our hitherto
darkened path, aud brethren from distance
now participating in these deliberations with Us,
have cheered us with the assurance of sympa-
thy and cooperation on the part of those whom
they represent so that our faith must be weak
indeed if we cannot trust that Divine Provi-
dence which has put it into the hearts of so
many to feel for and work with US in our at
tempts TO repair the deSolationS of the field en-
trusted to US by the great Head of the church
And now to make this matter quite practi-
cal-let the brethren present who are interest
ed in this good work. Immediately on their re-
turn home see that auxiliary societies are formed
in their congregations, and then let their
officers make known to the central organization
in Richmond their readiness to cooperate in
any way that may be directed BY those who will
have a general oversight of the whole field
and soon the church will see what the country
has already seen-the ability of the Christian
women of our congre cations to render efficient
aid in any cause to which their hearts are de-
voted.
Rer. DR.. Hammer, of Baltimore, said he
rose 70 give encouragement to hi brethren of
Virginia, in a movement so important and so
full of hope. He read from circular letter he
had just received from the Executive Commit
tee of the Southern lid Society in New York.
This Society in 1861, on account Of the UNI
friendly relations between the North and the
South, and the impossibility of continuing its
operations during the war, had been obliged to
suspend them until these civil connections