The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-04-29
STATISTICAL REPORTS.

A correspondent Of the Presbyterian hder,
under the signature Of ''Decem,' published
recently extended structures aboutthe accuracy
of the reports made in the minutes of our
General Assembly His account was well
suited TO make very unfavorable impression
as TO the management OF our benevolent oper-
ationS. They were TO small extent explained
at the time by the editor Rev. DIR. Rice. In
the last Southern Presbyterian, the editor
goes into the matter fully, and shows that the
oensures OF the fault finding correspondent rest
ed upon no other basis than his own inexcusa-
ole ignorance
Ii Is a suitable occasion to make a remark
or two on this subject. On the one hand, we
mean never to exclude from our columns any
proper and responsible criticism upon the ac-
ton of our Committees, or any agencies of our
Church. 1t would be wrong to attempt any
such suppression If they err, let the error be
pointed out. But on the other hand it is our
fixed purpose to exclude inconsiderate and
rash adventures from the opportunity of
troubling the church in this way. If they sus-
pect upon a glance at a fact or two, that mat
ters are hurrying 70 general ruin, let them
expand themselves In the first place before
their Presbyteries and Synods. If hey can
see the wrong, the way is open for redress in
the General Assembly. But we have seen in
years gone by, quite enough of the great evil
of opening the columns of religious newspapers
to men who take no pains to know what they
say, or understand whereof they affirm. These
are the kind of men who are most eager to
ruSE into print. 1t is not enough to say that
they can be answered in the same way; for
often the minds of people become prejudiced
against their own Church schemes to an extent
that years of labor in giving correct informa
ton do not counteract. There Is no good rea-
son for allowing this class of gloomy, dyspeptic,
microscopic fault finders to have the range OF
our columns as a channel for doing mischief
not Intentionally indeed, but not the less really
When responsible men chosen by the voice
of the whole Church present statements to the
General Assembly, how ought they to be re-
ceived? Not as inialible oracles, certainty
They may be mistaken either as to the correct
ness Of their facts, or OF their opinions But
they are presumed 70 be worth something II
they are in error, there is a safe way to have
it corrected in due time. Let the corrections
be made in that way, and upon careful inves-
tigation. 0ftentimes the slightest inquiry in
private, at the proper quarter, would satisfy
any candid person that his suspicious were un-
founded. Be this as it may, 50 far from con
demning all proper Investigation into such mat
tiers, We shall ever honor him who makes them
1t is his right-his duty, and wo to US if ever
the day comes to our Church when the hum
bleSt Of her members need shrink from speak.
ing his mind when and where it is appropriate
for him so TO do. On the other hand, he has
no right to consider himself entitled to spread
his first suspicious and surmises of wrong do.
ing on the part of good men, expecting them
to take up their own precious time, and also
space in the paper that might be filed with
useful in explaining what ought to
have been, and with proper pains would have
been plain enough before: AS if''-to use
the HudibraStic illustration
GAS if divinity had catched
The itch, on purpose to be scratched"
We heartily concur in the views presented
by our brother of the Southern Presbyterian,
that there is room for copying no
more than part of the article, which is here
I'VE have no wish to check the freest in |
luiry into the conduct of every church officer
but we submit that those who make assertions
matters which so vitally affect the !
interest of the Church should take the great /
est care to inform themselves as to the facts.
Such mistakes as those made by Deem are
not trivial When the Secretary to whose
charge the Church has specially committed
the work of Foreign Missions, says that the |
receipts were several thousand dollars less |
than we're needed, it is serious matter to
have the statement spread before the Church. |
directly in the teeth of the Secretary asser-
lion, that the amount contributed seemed to !
have been more than enough to meet all the |
calls upon the Committee If such state
ments have any effect, what can it be but to |
destroy confidence in the AsSembly's agents.
aud also to cause persons to withhold their
gifts as not needed p