The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-02-19

Reu William Broom, d. d.:
Rev. and Dear Sir,-The informalities OF
which DR.. Wilson speaks, are connected with
infelicities in the situation Of East Hanover
Presbytery, as related to. the Central Commit
tee We give all our churches that we regu-
larly help at all 5000 The highest approprla-
ton of the Assembly, except in special cases,
is $3.50. l urged the Assembly's plan as a
whole, and promised the utmost exerticn to
make it suit our need, but, at the same time,
[ am quite unwilling to curtail the $500. l
am unwilling for this most vital reason, that
$500 Is in itself quite insufficient in this region
of the South; that our ministers have been
obliged to leave, under this amount of susten-
tation that a number are very hard pressed
BY pecuniary pecessitynow; that places farther
North are constantly tempting them with
higher support that they are really now the
most heroic and liberal supporters of religion,
when matters are fairly estimated even in pc
cuniary respects, and that to diminish their
maintenance in the face of difficulties already
too great to meet, would be voluntarily to re-
sign some of the best settled pastors and stated
supplies we have. l cant think of doing this
till find the contrary course sheery impossi-
BILE.
To provide for the emergence | have been in
the habit of asking for money every quarter.
| could thus tell to the smallest fraction what
| needed And it never amounted to even $3.50
for each church year; because L always had
some accidental fund, or reserved amount OF
some sort or other that would help me to sup
plement the quarterage.
This was my motive for doing as did in
December There had been entrusted to my
care through the Synodical Commissioner Dr.
Mitchell, fund for the purchase of a church
in Nottoway. That church, after year s ne
gotiaton by those who had asked for the fund,
was found not to be in market. That fund re-
verified to me, and paid it to our committee,
and they have devoted it, in part, temporarily
at least, to the January quarterages.
Seeing therefore the chance to carry forward
our mission charges three months longer at the
rate of $500 year, wrote as early as Decem-
Der to Columbia, sufficiently explaining the cir
cumstanccs and urging the immediate trans
mission of only $500 as sufficient to pay out
our quarterages. Not beingreplied to, wrote
again on the 2Sth ultimo and wrote twice an
explanation of our delay for your paper, one
MSS. being lost in way that you privately
explained | wrote also, and in some cases
twice, to all my brethren whose salaries were
yet unpaid FINALLY, 9th instant [ received
a letter from DR.. Wilson, and Immediately
threw aside the informalites of which he COM
planned and forwarded an application more en-
regle
My informalties were two First, wrote
to the Treasurer rather than to the Secretary;
but this | did for three reasons-frst, that the
bye-laws, of which you received copy, con-
tanned nothing of the matter; second, that |
had been doing it before more than half the
time; and third, that the first time didit L
did it by the Secretary's own directions
| thought the Secretary's residence in Mayes-
vile, and diligent absences in the prose-
cution of his duty made an address to the
Treasurer more hopeful of immediate results
l still think my letters should have gone to the
Committee, or have been referred to the pro-
per officer or have brought some intimation to
me that our missionaries were suffering from a
technical difficulty.
My other informaity was not asking for all
we wanted and for the whole year. dare say
that is necessary rule; but, as the event
shows, it would defeat my purpose; for | have
just taken from the Office a note from Dr. Will
son, in the kindest and most considerate terms
expressing his regret, but unable, of course to
give $500 to each ministerial charge.
My intention now is TO ask for $3.50, Tor at
that rate, and to make up the extra fifty In
each case by what means We can.
am sorry to occupy so much OF your issue
with this East Hanover matter; very sorry,
and right much surprised that DR.. Wilson
should count my request to the churches, and
statement of all | knew about the delay, a
placing of his Committee in false position,
and still sorrier if any one imagines that our
Committee has the slenderest doubts of the
good intentions of all who manage for us in
Columbia, or the slenderest purpose not to
assist them in every way within our power
With many thanks for this use of your col
umns, | am yours, most respectfully,
JOHN MILLER.
Dnt,