The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-12-23
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
Sustentation.

~ to ,ohom this may come: Greeting!
Dear Brethren, The time is at hand for
our annual collection for the cause of Susten
tation. An encouraging advance has been
realized the past year particularly in that all
but one of our congregations mot counting
two names of churches on the roll, which have
but nominal existence, have made contri
buttons to this fund We are sorry to have
to write that but one" but it is something
to have attained at last to so near unanimity.
Can we not the coming year exhibit a perfect
ly unanimous cooperation?
In order to this, it is of great importance
that the collections be made at the time ap-
pointed-the first Sabbath of January, or as
soon thereafter as possible, but Dithin the t,oo
months assigned to this object. Can we not,
as well disciplined host, promptly obedient
to the authority (of the General Assembly,
Synod, and Presbytery,) over us in the Lord,
present an even line Of battle in this charge
all abreast? Brethren who have been accus.
toned to irregularity, looking for convenient
seasons for these collections, if they determine
to do it, will be surprised to find how easy it
is to conform to the rule.
A very important additional reason why all
the churches should make their collections
promptly, is the fact that the Committee OF
Susteutatiol will make their appropriations
early in the year, and they should know both
the amount of means at their disposal, and
how much each Presbytery contributes If
our churches fail to attend to this duty at the
time fixed for it, we may be serious sufferers
in the matter of the answers to our appllca-
tions for aid. That committee is indeed dis
posed to deal literally with us-having grant
ed us 1904 during the past year, whereas our
contributions to their treasury have been but
1920 But if we shew prompt and ready
disposition to cooperate with them to the ut
most of our power we can with the better
face, and greater hope, ask the assistance
which we need.
For the reason stated above, moreover, con-
tributions should not, if it can be avoided, be
retained to he sent in at the meeting of the
Presbytery. Money can very conveniently be
forwarded by mail from almost every neigh
borbood, and with entire safety, in the form
of draft on some Bank, or Commission
house, i'll Richmond, Danvile, or Lynchburg,
made payable to order of Rev. James Wood
row, and sent to him at Columbia, S. G. Let
this be done as soon as possible after the col
lection has been completed.
You are aware that the work of Susteata-
tion has been undertaken among us in earnest
under the action of the General Assembly,
concurred in by our Synod and Presbytery-
We have engaged to secure, if possible, at
least a salary of 5000, to each minister who
devotes his whole time to the work. The
scheme is most important one, and vital to
the best interests of the Church. But TO &C
complish this will require more than double
the amount received the past year. And to
afford us something also to expend in supply
still more needy destitutions. and wider mis-.
sionary fields, of the other parts of our coun-
try, our contributions must be enlarged three
fold! The liberal and selfdenying coopera-
ton of every church, and every person, is
therefore manifestly pressing necessity.
The total amount given the past year in the
regular collections for Sustentation within our
bounds ($42O,) gives but about twenty-five
cents for each white communicate! And if
allowance be made on account of contributions
from such as are not in communion, and of
two individual gifts, lone OF S25 from an aged
minister, and another of $40, from noble
Christian lady, who has no PASTOR but of her
own accord sends in regularly her liberal con-
tributions to this, and all the other schemes of
the Church the average would be reduced to
less than twenty cents for each COMMUNICATE
Surely we can do better than this, even in
these times of straitness and poverty. Many
of our people, in truth, have yet to learn the
habit, and to acquire the grace of Christian
beuefcence. As no congregation Of Christians
should be content to be delinquent in this mat
ter, so also no one Of the Lords redeemed peo-
ple ought to be satisfied with doing nothing
Some may not be able to give more than twen-
ty cents. perhaps not so much-though that
figure looks more like what the minimum
should be than the average. But many others
can give much more than that. Oae of the
advantages of aceekly contributions Tor on every
Sabbath of public worship is that this plan
affords several opportunities to give; so that
those who can never give much at once, may
give two or three cents, or five, or ten, on
several occasions, during the period assigned
to a given object. Or if they have nothing at
one time, they may have another opportunity,
when perchance they may be able to cast in
something.
Two of our congregations have given the
past year to this cause, including some special
contributions for church erection, lone branch
of Sustentation,) an average of about one dol
lar for each white member
IF first there be willing mind, it is ac-
cepted according to that a man hath and not
according to that he hath not" But let none
withhold, and let us still recur to that noble
example cited by the Apostle in Cor. viii {:
l-3 HUGH A. Brown,
Chairman of Committee
OF Missions, Roanoke Presbytery.