The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-02-19
AN EXAMPLE FOR WEAK
CHURCHES.

the amount OF One-tnlru OF MS salary, Tue
whole being only $500. But there was an
earnest, working as well praying spirit among
the elders aud members. After three or four
years that church became self sustaining II
soon built and paid for handsome manse, be-
sides increasing the pastors salary. A little
time after, it built one Of the most eommOdi-
Gus churches in the Presbytery; and then built
a large Female Academy If the last men.
toned was not built directly by the church, 1t
was certainly, for shs-sz-5-t part, BY its mem
bers individually. ChristianSburg has been
ever since one of the most active, giving
churches in the Presbytery of Montgomery.
Take another case. In June, 1865, mem
Der of East Hanover PreSbytery visited one Of
Its churches where he had often preached after
the progress of the wal had deprived them OF
regular pastoral services. The town and the
country had been desolated beyond any other
part of Virginia He found such members as
could be gathered to what was emphatically
solemn Assembly, exceedingly cast down
depressed under the apprehension that they
could not again support pastor. But there
was pietyand energyin that noble band. They
were eager, not TO catch at excuses for doing
nothing because they could not do everything;
but eager to know what the Lord would have
them to do, and ready to snatch hope FROM
the ribs of despair itself
What was the result2 They sent for a min
lister forthwith aud he came. Any true heart
ed brother loves to 20 aud commit himself to
a peoplewho are ready to take courage in the
face of trials, and in the strength Of the Lord
go forward-instead of backward. That broth
er was settled as pastor, has been comfortably
supported, aud finds his hands held up in his
work The church-ed6ce has been repaired,
the blessing of the Lord has been upon the
whole congregation, ana much people have
been added unto the Lord Looking over the
contributions for the great cause Of Sustenta-
ton reported in the Central Presbyterian
last week, it was enough to do ones heart good
to see that dear old Fredericksburg, wasted
and crushed as he had been-that our Presby-
terrain brethren there have contributed Sll9 to
help other churches supposed to be in need
more than they. Verify we felt, upon seeing
it, like making our office ring with good.
hearty shout. We know those Christian peo-
pie seek no praise or publicity for this, and no
doubt there are many other churches where an
equally generous spirit l>---@eef, shown B,it
EXAMPLE has its use, and we take the two eases
mentioned to illustrate few remarks specially
applicable to present circumstances
There are many of our churches now which
find themselves very sOrely pressed. Some Of
them, always small aud feeble, are now ex-
tremely reduced. Others once strong in pecu-
mary resources, if not in numbers, are exceed
ingy crippled. Many who were once able sup
porters in them, are now almost if not wholly
insolveut. The question with many of these
churches is What are we to do? How are
we to have the ordinances of the Gospel con-
tiuued among us? How is it possible to have
pastor supported ?"
This is the tenor of some of the letters
reaching Us, and no doubt other brethren over
the Church, in which they ask for counsel
Perhaps there are few things, if any, in which
q religious newspaper can at such time as
this be more useful than in confirming the
souls of the disciples This is true Apps
tolieal, Christian, Presbyterian C0gfrmatiop
which all ministers, and even private members
may practice, without waiting for, or any need
of the laying on OF hands by the Bishop.
In reply then to requests for counsel, may we
not usefully suggest
l. Lst no one think Of closing or abandoning
church, because It's strength IS reduced Such
cases as have been mentioned condemn any
such suggestions. Some of the best and strong
est churches now in the land wOuld at this day
have no existence, had they listened to an in
'timation Of this kind. One of the hardest
things in the world is to kill a genuine Presby-
terrain church. We have seen it tried many a
time by Satan, and by the world: it always
failed. The only way it can be done is by a
church committing suicide sin which no
genuine church will be guilty Of
p Let the rdiae Of the Gospel be comted.-
People will make sacrifices for things according
to their estimate Of what they are WORTH
There is no congregation known to US which
could not, even now, comfortably support a
teacher, with his family, to give instruction to
their children in secular learning Ten ami-
hes living in che country, and having thirty
children, would think it u cheap bargain to Sc
cure a good man to teach Latin or Greek or
French, or Music to that many for 81 600
year Is it worth less to secure the whole time
OF a well prepared minister Of the everlasting
Gospel to give Instructions In the Holy Bible 4?
to enforce those great truths that so directly
concern, not only the welfare of society here,
but which take hold Of eternity? Is it impos-
sible for a whole congregation of fifty or an
hundred people 70 make one man and his fam
lily as comfortable as their own? No; and the
plain answer to a great deal of the difficulty
complained of, even now in.these hard times
is that it arises from low appreciation of the
ordinances of the Gospel. Itsvalue to society.
its value to the souls Of men is counted at a |
cheap rate, evenamong Christian people Cure
that, and it will speedily help them out OF the
trouble.
g. Study economy IN all things Many are
doing this both from principle and necessity.
But many are not; they have hardly begun such
a retrenchment as altered circumstances re
quire. We can hardly imagine there was ever
people under the sun who lived, upon the
whole, in such plenty as was diffused ameng
society in the South, and especially in Virgin
Ia 1t is hard for many Of our people, even in
the midst Of want, to restrain old habits of
waste. We will venture the remark with con-
6dence, and whoever doubts may be convinced
upon any minute calculation fairly conducted