The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-01-20
Fox THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.

SHELBYvILLE, KY, January -, 1869.
Dear Brother Brown,-It has been my pur
pose ever since we parted to send you greet
ing from our new home in Kentucky. But the
past year was busy with plans and prepare
tons, and the cares of other things" Vir
GINA and Virginia friends however have been
often remembered, especially those dear broth
rem with whom 1.-THE Lord mas been doing his
strange work of afaction. b" Friend after
frie ID departs, who has not lost friend?"
With some, the days of darkness have been
many. And yet in the gloomiest chamber that
the child of God ever visits, what CLEANS Of
light can penetrate? Now, even now, are we
the sons of God, and it d nh l. OF appear what
we shall be, but we kno,o that when He ap-
pears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see
Him as He is. However dark and stormy the
voyage, all shall be satisfied when they reach
the haven. And since glory, imm 'rtality, and
eternal life are promised, is it not enough
What if some of the loved ones have been
caught up before us, did not the Master him
self say, ut is little while?" Was it not
infinite mercy that allowed jewels so precious
to be detained from His own casket so long !?
But if our burdens are heavy, ''the day is far
spent and "at evening time there shall be
light"
The writer has much to be thankful for dur
ing the year that is gone. l. Health. which
was shattered, is completely restored. g. A
congregation, individual members of which
have remembered the necessities of the pastor
and FASTENED to supply them. 3. A people to
preach to, and thirty, save enc, added to the
communion since his settlement here. a..
Every member of his household has been
spared, whilst two of his children have pro-
fessed Christ before men. How manifold are
Gods mercies
1t was only yesterday that the pastor was
visited by his deacons who came to enquire into
his temporal necessities. These were ex.
planned and willing, noble response was the
fruit For to begin the new year owing nc
man anything is no inconsiderable help toward
the fulflment of that commandment which
says, 'love one another" For if worldly
cares" Cypress, how can there be room for the
expression of warm and vigorous affection
How many hearts, in the ministry, that are
now burdened and sore perplexed, would leap
for Joy if the CALLING load Of debt were re.
moved? And how strange it is, that men and
women protesting goodness can be clothed
in scarlet and other delights faring sumptu-
ously every day whilst he, who in fear, trem.
bling and much WEAKNESS. watches for their
souls, is the last one to be remembered? Is
not the debt of honor debt of the first mag.
nitude? Will the candestick of the Lord
long abide with that people who do not pay
the laborer his hire? Or can minister for
any considerable period be useful to a congre
CATION that gives grudgingly, and whose free
will offerings do not gaden ard encourage the
heart of the preacher May not exhort dea-
cons all over the land to initiate the example
of those who serve in the church of Shelby
vile? Look at the words of the ''call, and
remember brethren in the deaconship that
the vows of God are upon you.