The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-09

nual report of the Executive Committee o
Sustentaton propose for adoption the follow
ing resolutions, as embodying the mall
points which call for the action of the AS
sembly:
Resolued, l. Tha. the Assembly expresse
its high approval of the fidelity, zeal ant
success of the Executive Committee in th'
solemn and responsible work committed tc
their charge, and also the zeal of and ability
with which so many of the Presbyteria
Committees have labored to bring all tht
churches within their bounds up to the pro
per standard of Christian liberality; anc
expresses its confidence that similar eff
forts on the part of all these Presbyteria
Committees would soon make the whole
Church substantial unit in relation to this
interest of the Church.
2. That while recording with gratitude
the growing liberality of so many churches,
and the increasing number which have con
tributed to the general fund, the Assembly
learns with sadness the painful and humili
ating fact, that yet at least one-half of our
churches have contributed nothing at all,
either to this or 1eAAs of the schemes OF
benevolence authorized by the Church.
The Church of Christ in its very nature is a
divinely constituted benevolent society, and
all its members are bound to honor God
with their substance, according as He has
given to each the ability, and the Assembly
hereby enioins on all the Presbyteries to
exercise care in selecting only wise and eft
fcient men for the chairs of the Presbyte-
rial committees, and that each Presbytery
shall hold responsible to its proper censures,
every church session which neg ects to CO.
operate in a work so important to the life of
the Church, and to the permanence and
spread of the Gospel.
3. That we cannot guard too carefully
against the introduction and prevalence of
an eleemosenary dependence among our
people, and that the Assembly discounte-
nances all appeals made abroad for the re-
establishment of institutions of learning, for
the erection or repairs of costly church edi
fees and other objects of kindred nature
beyond the essential and pressing necessities
of the present time.
4. That in view of the inadequate support
of our ministry and of the hopeful prospect
of Improvement in the pecuniary condition
of. the country, as well as the great impor-
tance of relieving as far as possible our
ministers from worldly cares, it be enjoined
upon the Presbyteries and the Central Com
mittee to make the effort to raise the salary
of every laboring minister to $3.50 for the
year 1870.
5. The Assembly exhorts, also, every
Presbytery to call the attention of each
church in its bounds to the Importance of
having manse provided for its pastor in
some central and convenient place, and with
a few acres of arabic and wooded land at
tached, in the case of country churches
The comfort and usefulness of ministers will
be greatly promoted by this measure, and
the cords of affection and confidence between
pastor and people be greatly strengthened.
6. That the Assembly approves and here.
by confirms the Bylaws presented by the
Executive Committee, together with the
amendments proposed, except that three
years instead Of two be specified as the maxi
mum of the time for continuing the full ap-
preparation to feeble churches.
I. The Assembly adds that in no case
shall any salary be supplemented by the
Committee, so as to make the whole greater
than 1000.
s. That the following persons are hereby
constituted members of the Committee for
the coming year:
Rev. j. L. Wilson, D. D., Secretary;
Rev. James Woodrow, D. d., Treasurer;
Rev. Drs. George Howe, J. B. Adger, j.
R. Wilson, A. W. Miller, J. L Girardeau,
Rev. W. E. Boggs, Gen. F. W. McMaster,
DR.. E. Nye Hutchison, and Gen. b. 2.
Alexander.
All of which is respectfully submitted, on
behalf of the Committee.
G. WILSON MCPhAIL, Chairman.