The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-12-30
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
OFFICE OF SUsTENTATIoN.

columbia, >. VI, Dec. 10, Iooo.
To the Ministers, Elders, Deacons and Mem
bers Of the Church.
Respected Christian Friends.-You
will doubtless remember that the first
Sabbath in January, or as soon thereaf.
ter as may be found convenient, is the
time designated by the General Assem-.
bly,, as well as our other ecclesiastical
bodies, for taking up the annual collec
ton for the cause of Sustentation. We
have no hesitation in saying that this is
the most important contribution that our
beloved Church has ever been called up.
on to make. In its success are involved
consequences that will not only affect its
present well being, but equally its safety
and prosperity for generations to come.
During the past three years of poverty
and prostration, .wes nave been greatly
aided by Christian friends outside of our
own connection. But this cannot be ex-
pected longer, and We are now thrown,
by the providence of God, upon our own
resources. The question is then to be
solved, whether We shall, with the bless
ing of God, be enabled to put forth the
necessary energy to sustain ourselves,
and thus take rank as a Church among
the older and more permanently estab-
lished branches of the Church of the
Lord Jesus Christ.
Our first and most urgent duty is the
sustentation of our numerous feeble
churches, scattered in every direction
over our widely extended territory. In
consequence of the heavy drain already
made upon our ministerial force, Pres,
byteries have found it necessary to
unite two or more of these feeble
churches under one pastorate, and in
some cases much larger number have
been placed under the care of single
evangelist. This process has already been
carried as far as is compatible with the
safety and spiritual welfare of these
churches, and yet the evil has been only
partially remedied.
The General Assembly, at its last meet,
ing, with the view of arresting this heavy
drain upon our churches, and with the
view also of placing ministerial support
on more solid foundation, enjoined il
upon the Presbyteries and the Central
Committee to make the earnest effort to
raise the salary of every laborious min
lister in the Church to the sum of at least
$500. This is most important mea.
sure, and if successfully carried cut, il
will at once raise the Church above the
dangers with which it is surrounded
How many of these feeble churches, OF
combination of feeble churches will need
assistance in order to bring up the sala,
ries of their ministers to the above men
toned sum, cannot be definitely deter
mined at the present moment. 1t is
presumed, however, that no less than four
hundred of them are in this condition
1t will be seen, therefore, that nothing
short of an earnest, hearty and united
effort on the part of all our churches and
people, can raise fund sufficiently large
to meet the demands of the emergency
1t should be borne III mind at the same
time, that the contribution to Sustenta
ton covers three distinct objects of be-
nevolence, viz: help for the feeble church
es, support of missionaries and evange
lists, and aid in the erection or repairs
of church edifces. TO the first of these
reference has already been made. The
second is closely allied to it, and is scarce
ly less important. There is scarcely {
Presbytery that has not found it neces
sary to employ one or more missionaries
or evangelists to supply its own destitu
tions, and the Central Committee is ex
pected to furnish the means, in part o.
whole, for the support of all these
Since the close of the war, more thai
two hundred congregations have received
aid from the Central Treasury to rebuilc
or to repair their church ediAces, AM
there are now before the Committee, ap
plications for assistance to the amount o
$4,000, which they have not the means
at present, to meet. Most other branch
es of the Church have not only separat
organizations for all three department
of benevolence, but a separate annua
collection is taken up in the churches fo
each: whilst our own Church has onl
one organization and one annual collec
ton for the whole. Let this be kept dis
tinctly in mind when the collection i
taken up in January.
In view of all these varied and urgen
wants, it is earnestly hoped that ou
churches will raise at least $4,000 tn
present year. Not only does the i'm
proved circumstances of our people wal
rant this expectation, but the urgen
wants of the cause, especially as we ca
expect little or no assistance from abroad
demands every dollar of it. What tn
Committee would particularly and spe