The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-12-30

greatly increased. Take for instance
the cause of Education for the Gospel
ministry. You have seen the statement
that one year ago the number of candi-
dates for the ministry, receiving aid from
the General Assemblys Committee of
Education, was IS; that when our Gene
raj Assembly met last May the number
was As; that it is now increased to SO /;
that the Secretary, DR.. Baird, told the
Assembly he had information of as many
as y candidates in our Church, and was
satisfied that there were not less than
100; that there are now 16S candidates,
and the Secretary is satisfied there are
not less than 200 who are longing to pre-
pare themselves for this holy Office
Here you see how the work has expand
ed, and how great blessing God is of
fering to the Church in the way of a
large increase of laborers in our vast
field, if his people will only come forward
and do their part Of the work.
Then again those who already are in
the Pastoral office must not be permitted
to suffer. Most of them are entirely de-
pendent on your Christian generosity and
Justice for their support. There is GER
tainly one man who cannot pay his honest
dues in your congregation, if you do not
give him what you have promised. The
times may be hard with you, but you
have at least secular calling, and have
some means of gaining livelihood, but
he has uone-and surely if all the mem,
bers even of feeble church do their
part they can supply food and raj
ment for one mantle man whom they
have called to minister to them in spirit
ual things, while they are pledged to pro
vide for his temporal necessities
Now to meet all these pressing claims
and calls, will tax the ability of the
Church to the utmost during the ensuing
year. Yet all can be met, if wisely
arranged plan of systematic benevolence
is unanimously adopted; if the rich will
give according to their ability; if the
poor will not withhold their contributions
because they are small; if the ministers
who are appointed by their Presbyteries
to visit vacant churches will take up col
lections,, no matter how triHing the
amount; and if the elders will bestir
themselves in soliciting donations for Sus-
tentation, Education, Missions and Pub
LEGATION, as they meet with their breth-
rem in the churches of which they are
overseers by the appointment of God
Let this be done, and our poverty will
be overruled to the spiritual enrichment
of our Southern Zion.
But there is one need greater than
any, greater than all we have men
toned, and that is the reviving in
fuences of Gods Spirit in the hearts
of ministers aud people. For this let
US labor, and pray. and watch. This
is the blessing which crowns and con-
summaries all others-this will make eff,
fectual all organizations for usefulness
this will fill the souls of all believers with
the charity of the Gospel of Christ
this will open the heart of the most pc
nurious,-this will make the gifts of the
generous yet more muni6cent-this will
multiply converts like drops of morning
dew-this will bring all the graces of the
people of God into liveliest exercise
this will build up Zion in strength and
beauty-this will make the year 1869 a
year that God hath blessed.