The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-02-13
THE FIRST SABBATH OF MARCH
CONTRIBUTION FOR PUBLICATION.

CONTRIBUTION FOR PUBLICATION.
The circular letter of our Secretary OF Pub
lication, Rev. DIR. Baird, will pass under the
eye of our people, especially of our ministers
and elders whose duty it will be to bring the
subject Immediately before their respective
congregations. Our heart desire is to aid this
great work to the utmost, and with this view
few remarks are here offered, which is be-
lieved will encourage all to go forward with a
fresh zeal.
First consider ,uhat ne hare to do. Remem-
Der that our General Assembly more than
year ago resolved that the Committee of Pub
lication should, as soon as practicable, raise
$50, 900 for an endo,cment. Besides this, we
have other important operations, such as are
referred to in the circular. The thought of
failure is not to be endured, the voice of the
Church is that the funds are needed-are in
dispensable to carry on this enterprise.
In the next place it is important to notice
ho,o little, as get, Has been done Read the
statement in the circular, and it will be seen
that our churches cannot be said to have laid
their hands to this vast undertaking. Surely
they do not mean that, after all the resolutions
of the Assembly, our Synods, and our Presby-
teries, the scheme shall come to nothing?
We believe there is hardly an enterprise of our
Church which has more unanimous and
hearty approbatiQns everywhere. But the little
/ we have donecfo eoufd fill us at once with
sorrow, and with affirm purpose to set the
work forward without delay, and thus wipe
away our reproach.
Again it is important to remember that, in
securing the amour: necessary, cooperation IS
eUe,ything IF we can only get contribution
from every church, the amount returned will
certainly be such as to invigorate all Our oper-
atoms Only let the subject be everywhere
fairly presented, and the collection taken up,
and we need have no fears. 1T ''the effectual
working of every part" that maketh in
crease. :" And, now, surely the fact that so
many have done nothing ought to induce a
universal cooperation. The effectual way to
cripple, if not to kill all these movements, is
for the churches to say severaly-" We are
weak, we cannot give enough to make much
difference-therefore we will pass the matter
BY" There are few churches that cannot
give S10-most can give much more But an
average of SO would give us more than SlO,-
00O-a sum that would be an excellent help.
1t may not be amiss to drop word of cau-
ton here. Many of our churches are sadly be-
hind in the support of their pastors. This is a
pity in all cases-in many shame. But be-
ware of making this a plea for not trying to get
them to give to other objects. Depend upon
it, if they are behind -hand with their pastors,
the way to help the matter is not to discourage
them from giving to other good objects, until
back scores at home are made up. If man
neglects one duty, he is not helped by telling
him he need not attend to any.other, till that
neglect is made right. Weventure to say that
all churches acting upon this scheme
there is reason to fear that not few have fall
len into the temptation find that things
have somehow taken decided back -set, and
the spirit Of giving is in decay.
But we have cheering fact to state For
ordinary annual collections no other agency is
contemplated than that of pastors, elders and
deacons But for carrying through the special
work of providing an endowment, the Commit
tee is very properly employing special means
-l.xs.as;ss-s OF rnuGpEy s,s,s 'quahhcat- mis-
for the work have just been engaged to push
forward the order of the Assembly. Another,
the Rev. A. P. Siliman, d. D., of Alabama,
| 3oI nbn, IL
see in the month of January, where he raised
$4,000. OF this sum, $4,000 were contributed
in Nashville and its immediate vicinity. Let
it be borne in mind that this country was terri
bly, wasted by the war. This is really noble
start. Thanks to the generous donors thanks
to the skillful, indefatigable agent, and to the
warm hearted pastor in Nashville, and others
who helped him. Above all, thanks to Him
from whom cometh down every good and per-
feet gift If this spirit, this holy fire, kindled
in the hearts Of Christians in Nashville and
other churches in Middle Tennessee, shall
catch upon the affairs aover our Zion, how soon
and easily will the blessed work be accom-
plished. 1t will be one of the best tokens that
God is with us Of truth, if the record made
by inspiration for the churches OF Macedonia,
might be made for ours" How that in a
great trial of aflction the abundance of their
joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the
riches of their liberality."
And, now, let no one take the fact just
stated for the encouragement of both our faith
and practice, only to pervert it into an excuse
for doing nothing on the day designated, under
the plea that others will probably do enough
without his help. This effort of DR.. Silliman
and others, is part of the special effort to raise
$4,000 for a permanent endowment The
collection next month is only the annual con-
tribution, NEGLECTED, we are sorry to say, by
most churches last year, and the proceeds of
which are to be devoted to such current oper-
atoms as are mentioned in the circular of the
Secretary.
May the lst Sabbath day of March witness
among us many faithful prayers, faithful SER
mons, and wiling generous offerings from all
our people" according as God hath pros
pered -
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