The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-04-29
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
Circular on Foreign Missions.

To the Ministers. EiderS DedcOnS, and mem
6erS Of the Presbyterian Church IN the United
States.
RESPECTED Christian Brethren 1t becomes
my duty to remind you that the first Sabbath
in May is the time designated by the General
Assembly TOR collections to be taken up in all
our Churches for the cause of Foreign Missions.
This is solemn call to the people Of God at
any time, but in the present exigency its claims
are peculiarly urgent and demands the serious
and prayerful consideration of all who feel an
interest in the welfare of our Southern Zion.
Heretofore our Foreign Missionary opera
tons have been confined within very narrow
limits. But now God is bringing us out into
broader place. and commanding us to take a
large share in the great work of evangelizing
the heather nations of the earth. How our
beloved Church will respond to this solemn
call remains to be seen.
Within few weeks past, seven young men,
and all of them persons of great promise, have
placed themselves under the direction of the
Committee for the purpose of being sent forth
as Foreign Missionaries, whilst four or five
others are in correspondence in relation to en-
gaging in the same great undertaking. OF the
seven who have already made formal offer of
their services, two desire to go TO China, one
to Japan, three to South America, and one
himself native Indian, desires to be estab-
lished as missionary among his own people.
No one who is acquainted with the Christian
character of these young men can entertain
any doubts about their being called to this
work by the Holy Ghost God is thus show
ing us that he has not forgotten us as Church
or as a people, but that he means to employ
our agency in extending the knowledge of the
Gospel even to the remotest ends 81 the earth
Could he place US in higher position or be-
stow upon us greater honor?
But can our Church, will she, meet the de-
mands Of this call? Nothing but the want of
faith in the infinite resources of Jehovah would
ever suggest negative answer. II God has
put it into the hearts of these young men to
devote their lives to this great object, will he
not awaken a corresponding desire in the
hearts of their Christian brethren left behind
to furnish the means of their support? Sure
ly he will and it is only for his people to go
forward at his bidding. Those who are ac-
quainted with the history of the Christian
Church, well know that her greatest and most
permanent achievements have always been
made in times of greatest distress and impov-
ershment The history of the Macedonian
Church furnishes a remarkable illustration of
what can be done in times of outward prostra-
ton May not God have brought our beloved
Church into afflictiOn, that her liberality may
abound in the midst of her poverty?
At the same time there is nothing in our
present outward poverty that should make us
hesitate about going forward in the present
emergency. After a careful examination of
the subject, it is supposed that $25, 900 will be
sufficient, not only to sustain our present mis-
sionary operations but also to meet fully the
demands of the proposed enlargement But
what is S25, 600 to a church-membership of
S0,000?-very little more than an average of
80 cents to each church member Now if it
should be contended that at least one half of
this so, 600 could not pay as much as 80 cents
each, thing altogether improbable, would it
not be certain beyond contradiction, that the
other half could contribute more than twice
as much? What is really needed is not pecu-
mary ability on the part of our people, but
unanimity of action. And this unanimity can
easily be brought about, if ministers and
church will only arouse themselves to
the responsibilities of the occasion But can
they be depended upon to do this? How can
any Church expect the blessing of God to rest
upon it, that takes no share in this great work Z?
How can any minister of the Gospel expect to
enjoy the divine favor, who takes no pains to
instruct his people in relation to the claims of
this cause, but allows them to be totally mac.
tive when the highest interests of the Re
deemer's kingdom are at stake? If our here
tofore delinquent churches are not aroused by
the present call of Gods providence when
may they ever be expected to awake to pro-
per sense OF their responsibilities as churches
of the Lord Jesus Christ?
Such of our Sabbath schools as have been
induced to take part in this work are doing re-
markably we'll Pledges have already been
given land they are pledges that can be relied
upon for the support Of as many as sixty
pupils in our mission schools-their contribu-
buttons making an aggregate of 50, 800. This
number of contributing schools might easily
be doubled, so as to make the round sum of
$4,000. lit is the universal testimony of those
who are engaged in conducting these schools.
that the introduction Of the missionary element
has impaired new life and energy TO them.
The Committee are also gratifed to notice.
that a number of our churches, in accordance
with the recommendation OF the Assembly.
have resumed the observance Of the monthly
concert of prayer for the conversion Of the
world, and that collections are taken up on
such occasions for the support of Foreign
Missions. 1t is earnestly hoped that the OBJ
servance of such a season may speedily become
among our people. The missionary
will be likely to accomplish little un
less it is accompanied by earnest and constant
prayer to Almighty God for his blessing to rest
upon it.
On behalf of the Executive Committee of
Foreign Mission.
j. LEIGHTON WILSON,
Secretary Of Foreign Missions.