The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-11-13

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do our duty under this system. The rad'-
cal evils are only to be reached by prayer.
But there arc less evils, and these may he
reached nv equalization. We must have
some scheme of sustentation, suggested by
the Scottish plan. Every church each SAB
bath should be required to raise something
to supplement feeble churches.
Our Wesleyan brethren make 1t an abso-
lutte condition that the man who is sus-
tanned shall preach. Those Wesleyan
ministers who trade, 60 ont of Conference,
and those who stay in have bread. Our
Synodcal fund should he reservoir, into
which all the rills from every church
should empty themselves, and whence
steady stream of bounty should
flow forth to every feeble church. Then
very soon new impetus would be given
to Prcsbytcrianism. We should be un-
willing to see the opportunity Of such re-
form go by and while We delay, it may go
by.
Rev. Mr.. Watkins was perfectly satisfied
that none of the speakers had reached the
real difficulty. 1t was not want of faith,
but a disregard Of duty. A Methodist once
said TO him "That our ministry is very
cheap. Our miniSterbcing at our houses
"I.et any congregation take me and my
family, and will not ask them for money!
Members of the churches often say that they
arc too poor to support minister. Let them
take him to their houses, and board him,
and then they can command his services.
The fault is q rant Of picty. 1t has been
said that we want more machinery III the
Presbyterian Church; but the great need
of this Church is want of true religion. Let
us 60 on with the machinery which we have.
The reformation itself was nothing but a
revival and let a revival of religion be
brought about in our Church, and no further
legislation on this subject will be necessary,
Mr.. Fitzgerald asked who of the minis
tiers present felt himself settled lie cited
several instances in which ministers re-
Gently installed had been compelled 10
leave their charges for want OF adequate
support. DR.. Plumer once said that "coun-
try ministers received just enough salary
to make them unhappy" and he had been
struck with its truth all his life. lie would
not pretend to Judge another, but he hoped
that the day would never come when min
listers should have to 90 before Their con-
grcgations and beg for more Sdtdry; that
they would never become the collectors IN
this way of their own salaries. One of the
greatest reasons for a change III this par
ticular was to get the money arrangement
from between the pastor and the people
in It's present position.
lie offered the following amendment to
the report of the committee:
That committee Of three he appointed
., -,,l, 10 Il
that the General Assembly be overturned
to prepare proper rule on this subject.
His proposition was to collect general
fund in each Prcsbytcry, with which to
supplement the salaries of the ministers.
Mr.. Alexander said that when the sub
icct was presented to West Hanover Pres
bvtcry it was minated that the PrcShytery
would not feel itself committed to this
change, and therefore it was sent. lie did
not believe that We wanted any change.
No sustcntation tund was required. The
difficulty, to his mind, is Il want Of faith
reliance on Divine providence-that we
do not walk sufficiently in the light Of God
as conveyed 10 us in His promises. If we
60 forth in the path Of duty with a full re-
lance upon these promises, the clouds
would break away aud al things be clear
before us. Let the ministers 60 to their
people and tell them that they feel con-
strained to give up their secular pursuits,
whatever they may be, and to devote them
selves entirely TO their work of saving
souls, and twelve months would make 4
wonderful change. We want men whose
whole souls are in the work, going forward
in the name Of the Lord of Hosts to DO his
bidding, and a new era OF prosperity and
of good would arise upon this Church.
DR.. William +. Gaines said that ourpcoplc
are slow, and that We have had trouble OF
this kind on our hands all the time, and he
considered it arose from Il lack Of picty in
the people. 1t has given him great deal
of anxiety for q number OF years. In one
church of which he knew, an effort was
made to have the membership Of the
church assessed, but the plan had failed.
He saw no plan which could be rendered
more efectual. The people are arousins
themselves III this matter; their con-
sciences are being aroused; and he had no
doubt but in a short time, with a proper
degree Of faith, the evil complained OF
would be remedied.
Mr.. Tappcy, Of Petersburg, said that he
was 4 practical man. He believed in
faith, but his Bible told him "that faith
without works was dead" The pastor
should visit every family frequently; go
among his congregation and talk to them
tell them what has been done at the Pres
bytery and at Synod; talk to them of their
souls, and get them interested in the
work and then the thing will be done.
Mr.. Logan, of Salem, said pastors should
receive an adequate support the money OF
the people was the money Of God, and
should be given to His ministers. The
minister should have no scruples to tell
his congregation that he came before them
"with an order from God for His money!"
and that the people should not protest that
order.
Rev. Edward Martin said that this sub
ject was one which lies very close to the
prosperity Of the Church, and if anything
is to be done, it should be done at once
Delay is dangerous. If it become ques'
ton with him whether he should quit the
ministry or see his family suffer for want
of bread, it would not take him long tc
decide. In order that the ministers should
work, the means must be used. The de.
VISITATION of war left us without means, and
it was necessary that we should economize
but the commencement was at the wrong
end-having to give up something, people
gave up the Word of God. That, Of every.
thing else, should have been held as indis.
pensable. Men have been starving by
the Gospel. Don't put it off; you can't
afford to postpone action the church j:
suffering every day for the want of it.
bsal,.