The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-02-27
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN
Weekly Collections.

Jul Suul Oil, anu OiC VI CIIdi SSo oSei'AeJ
and success, when the system of weekly
collections ceases to be confined to local
tiles as at present, and becomes univer-
sal in her borders. By weekly collec-
tons / do not mean the weekly Sa5bath
collection for the congregational contin-
gent fund,-but the weekly presentation
of some one of the great objects by which
the Church is endeavoring to build up
the Redeemer's kingdom, and the weekly
gathering of the material offerings of
Gods people for those objects. Very
many of our churches have adopted this
system, and find it to work well. But /
suppose the vast majority of the congre-
cations represented by our General AS
sembly are still operating, upon the old
system of raising four or FIVE collections
in the year-one for each of the various
Committees,-while many are still prac-
ticing the older system of one collection
in the year, to be divided between all the
objects by the session-and many others
are pursuing the still older system of
having no collection, exceptupon the ap-
plication of some travelling agent-the
pastor or stated supply being afraid to
ask the people to serve God with their
money. That so many have adopted the
weekly system is due to the discussion it
has received in our ecclesiastical courts
and religious newspapers. In order to
its wider introduction, its discussion
should be kept up, and its adoption
pressed upon the Church repeatedly.
will state some arguments in its favor,
which | hope may help towards this end.
l. This system has Apostolic authori-
ty and example. Paul in 1st Cor xvi /:
1--2 says: "Now concerning the collec-
ton of the saints, as have given order
to the churches of Galatia, even so do
ye. Upon the first day of the week let
every one of you lay by him in store, as
God hath prospered him." The order
here given was net one to which the
Apostle had not given full consideration
-he had already sent the same order to
the churches of Galatia There is every
reason why this order should be as ap-
plicable to us as to those churches, and
no good ones why it should not.
Indeed, am very strongly inclined to
think that one cause, and main one,
why we as Church have not been more
efficient, is our failure to follow this rule,
and our consequent keeping of this most
important part of our religious service in
the background. This supposition is
strengthened when we consider that those
congregations are the most inefficient
which permit the longest periods to pass
between their. collections
2. This system will correct this evil,
and place this part of our worship of God
in its proper place, and give it its proper
Importance. The spiritual worship which
we render to God every Sabbath in his
house is truly the most exalted, and
should have the first place, but the SER
vice we render him by contributing of our
means towards the advancement of his
cause should not be excluded, or made to
occupy u too secondary position. The
worship of every Sabbath should consist
of both sorts-it should be the worship
of our spirits and the worship of our
bodies-the presentation of spiritual Of
ferings, and of material offerings. The
worship Of God with our substance should
be considered as much an ordinance of
Gods house. as the singinp of his praises.
We should not only serve him with the
lip and pray" Thy kingdom come, -
but also with our means, by contributing
something by which the answer of the
prayer may be FASTENED, This giving of
our substance is ao0rship in two respects.
First, it is thank-offerlng for blessings
received; and secondly, it is service rem
dered to advance the Redeemer kingdom.
3. This system will be very beneficial
in its effects upon those who practice it
faithfully. 1t will ever cultivate our
sense of dependence upon God; for the
weekly giving of a portion of our worldly
means to promote the cause of Christ is
not only an acknowledgment of the obli-
CATION thus to serve him, but that every
temporal blessingis from the Lord. And
thus labor is sancti6ed and elevated.
The first question of every Sabbath morn
ing with the conscientious Christian will
be.--what shall give this day to the Lord
With what of my substance can l to-day
worship him in his house? This starts
another-What have I? How has God
blessed me? The weeks labor is looked
over, and the Lords blessing upon that
labor is estimated; its first fruits are de-
voted to his service, and thus it is all
sanctifed. From being at first Sab
bath morning question, it will soon be.
come with those who faithfully practice
this system, an everyday question, and
the daily toll will be elevated, and con-
verted into worship, the uppermost
thought amid it all being the service Of
God. Thus that blessed day will be
hastened when "holness to the Lord y
shall be written upon all the implements
of human industry.
4. By this system will the grace Of
giving be properly cultivated BY none
other can it be so well cultivated. We
are creatures of habit. Habit is formed
by frequent repetitions. The more fre.
quent the repetitions, the sooner and
more fixed does the habit become. The
weekly collection is the most frequent,
practical in our churches.
5. By this system the grace of self
denial will be strengthened, and our
Christian progress quickened. The
Christians great danger is the love Of
the world, and the things of the world