The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-05-08

\. have n positive command from God,
go work to-day in my vineyard, it SIS
supreme and must be obeyed" Wealthy
churches, city congregations, easy chairs,
the most refined and cultivated society,
numerous friends and large salaries, are
not the considerations which ought to de-
eide us, in selecting field of labor.
But where am most needed? Where
can l be most useful in the cause of my
blessed Redeemer Wealthy churches,
large salaries, easy chairs, &C., are God
sends nowadays, and should certainly
be appreciated by those who enjoy them.
But as long as men suffer their minds to
be biased by such considerations, and
wait aud expect to receive such calls,
there viii be a great aeal Of dead capital
in the Church, so far as preaching the
Gospel is concerned. Men will continue
to secularize their calling, by turning
aside from the ministry of the Word, to
something else for a liEelihood; and the
Macedonian cry, "Come over and help
us, will continue to come up without a
response from more than six hundred
millions of souls, who never heard of
Jesus Christ, and without the Gospel
must die and sink to hell. Besides this,
we have to think of the destitution
amongst the weak and scattered focks,
in our own land, who to-day extend their
hands imploringly to us, begging the
bread of life; while thousands every day,
all around us, and at our very doors, are
perishing for want of it. Brethren, we
may relax our efforts in this great work,
but death will not cease to require his
victims, nor will time cease to bring US
nearer our account. The call is as ur-
gent and important now, as when it first
came into the ears of the Apostle. The
souls of men never diminish in value
Delay will certainly be ruinous to many,
and deprive us of the honor of doing this
blessed work for Christ. /
In response to this call, and under a
firm conviction of duty, l came to this
field only few months ago. The field
is large and white to the harvest, but the
destitution, Oh how great Alas the
laborers are few. There are several
fields within the bounds of this Presby-
terry, which are important and ought to
be occupied at once. These fields are
very inviting to young men. A number
of such as are blessed with commendable
talents, conservation to the Masters SER
vice, and zeal for the salvation of souls,
might be settled here at once, upon COM
petent salaries, and with prospect of
great usefulness. You will find here, a
kind and generous people, and if devoted
to your work, you will never be permitted
to want for the necessaries of life. VIII
not the young brethren, leaving the Sem
mary this Spring, look to this field? 1
VIII be glad to confer witt, any of them.
and render them any assistance in my
power, to secure them situations. While
there are large sections of the State, very
poor, and for the most part, thinly set
tied, there is also very large portion of
it, very rich, fine farming and stock
growing country, well inhabited, princi-
pally by immigrants from the older
States. Many of them have been raised
up under Presbyterian influence, and are
anxious to secure Presbyterian preaching.
In conclusion, permit me to present
the claims of my own field, which extends
over an area of country about thirty
miles in extent, situated in Monroe coun-
tv, between Clarendon and Indian Bay,
East of White river. Until | came into
the county, they had heard but one Pres
byterian sermon for twelve years. |
now preach twice on each Sabbathin the
month, to small congregations collected
in school-houses, both uncomfortable and
incompetent for the congregations. |
have been received with great kindness,
and my own support has been well pro-
vided for. find few scattered members
of the Presbyterian Church, and the peo-
pie generally inclined to Presbyterianism.
We expect soon to organize church, and
are now making very strenuous exertions
to complete our house of worship, which
was commenced and put under roof, the
first year of the war, but owing to the
troubles of the times, and the presence
of the enemy, had to be abandoned =
And so it now stands, more and more
injured every month, and very materially
for want of completion, and of no use
to the congregation. The house is large,
and it will take about one thousand dol
| lars to complete the work. About one
half can be raised here, and for the re-
mainder, we call upon our brethren in
the older States, and in other portions of
our beloved Zion, more highly favored
than this, and ask, "Who will come to
our relief? Who will lend US helping
hand?" If we can secure aid to COM
plete our house of worship, consider the
prospect very fattering for building up
the Church. Those who do all they can
to help themselves, we ought to be will
ing to help. And let us remember the
proverb, "There is that scattereth, and
vet increaseth, and there is that with
holdeth more than is meet, but it tend
eth to poverty"
Contributions for this purpose may be
sent to Rev. VIM. Brown, D. D., Editor
of the Central Presbyterian, Richmond,
Va, Rev. 7. D. Witherspoon, Memphis,
Tenn, who will be kind enough to for
ward check for the amounts to NE. Or,
it may be forwarded directly to me, Clar-
endon, Monroe county, Arkansas. Con
tributions will be thankfully received and
promptly acknowledged through the