The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-10-28

ures to pay the pastors salary are commonly
much more owing to the want of good plan,
faithfully carried out by the appointed author
tiles, than to inability or unwilhngneSS on the
part of the people And further, that from
the nature of the case, and inasmuch as our
church government does not permit pastoral
relation to be formed except through the
PreSbytery, and requires it to look carefully,
in the settlement to the obligations OF the
congregation touching the worldly mamie
nance of the ministers, it ought to do great
deal in seeing how this solemn covenant is
kept This is not an inquisitorial business,
except in a friendly and healthful sense, and
we are at a loss to understand the ground OF
that reluctance -squeamishness it might be
caled-which some good brethren feel, TO have
word said in the Presbytery on the Shbject,
as if it were an unwarranted prying into pri-
vate affairs. This is wrong view, and the
result has been exceedingly hurtful. We have
known ease after case in which worthy, self
denying, useful ministers were sorely pinched
to get along in any tolerabe way, where lit
tie timely, kind, but faithful dealing by the
Presbytery would have brought remedy
We have known pastoral relations broken up
and churches much injured, where it might
have been prevented; and we have known
many instances of the happy operation of a
rule substantially like that OF the Montgomery
Presbytery. We hope they will work this
rule wisely and well, and that all their people
will strive to uphold it. Ii so, they will
speedily see that it is one full of mercy and
good fruits
3. Epuageiistie Labor Here again are
some excellent regulations, and we prefer not
to impair their impression by any abrldge-
ment; 50 they are given entire
"Presbytery shall assign to every Ministe",
except such as may have good reason to be ex-
cused, missionary field and require him to
have the care of the vacant churches IN his
boonds, spending as much time as practicable
between the stated meetings of the PreSbytery
in pastoral visitation, preaching and endeavor
| ing TO advance the interests OF Christ king
dom in his missionary field, and report TO each
stated meeting OF PreSbytery whether he has
discharged the duties here assigned him.
There are two good reasons for approving
this scheme of supplying destitute fields. One
is that it is at present so hard, often impoSsi.
Die to find suitable evangelists; and the other
is that if found, it is not easy now TO raise
money enough to pay them. But if each pas
tor would undertake something, the aggregate
amount would be great And ought not the
old and well supplied churches to enter into
this with an evangelizing spirit, and be willing
for the present necessity, to give up some
portion of their ministers time?
The remaining part Of this section, and the
4th section also, wear the look of genuine, old
fashion responsibility of one to another
Churches which enjoy the ministrations OF
EvangelistS, or of those who are called stated
supplies, are required to seek to obtain the
services of Pastor as soon as possible; and
any arrangement made between Church and
a stated supply must be submitted to the Pres.
bytery for approval.
SECTION IV-OF MINISTER'S WITHOUT CHARGE.
The Presbytery shall commit to the keeping
of the Stated Clerk list of the Ministers
without ministerial charge under heads. LIST.
Those who are disqualified for the full work of
the ministry by reason of age or lnhrm health;
and I'd, those who are capable of engaging in
the full work of the ministry. This list shall
be revised at every stated Fall meeting of Pres
| bytery.
Those ministers without charge, who are not
on the list Of disabled ministers, shall be called
on at every stated Fall meeting of PreSbytery
TO state their reasons for not engaging in the
| full work of the ministry, which reasons shall
be declared to be satisfactory or otherwise by a
formal vote of the Presbytery.
Then follow, Sec 5, of the Treasurer p
section 6, ''0f Secretaries section I, "Of
Absentees; ;" section s, "0f the Stated
Clerk; including the several items he must
place on 1.-THE Docket" to be laid before the
Presbytery; and a list of the members COM
posing the Standing Committees. If it were
not that this article would be extended too far,
much of these might be prO6tably copied
This may be done at some other time. We
think that whoever will give this little manual
careful examination, will say it is decided
step onward-that our brethren of MontgOm-
cry Presbytery have done well in adopting it,
and that it would be well considered thing for
others TO 20 and do likewise.