The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-07-07
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
HOW MUCH OWEST THOU7

Inc demand tor men Will not now De con-
sidered; but we invite the readers attention
especially to the provision required for then
maintenance. The age of miracles has in
deed passed away; but even v ben miracles
were common in the Church, as evidences Of
her credentials, they were not employed by
the Apostles in providing for their .necessi'
ties. They taught their converts that to
support the ministry was duty and priv
ilege. Under the Jewish economy, the peo-
pie were directly and indirectly taxed with
enormous bprthehs to maintain the national
religion. One tenth of all the products Of
their industry was but the minimum of what
the law imposed. And this was for limi-
ted and stationary object-to keep in opera
ton the religious institutions of a single
nation. But the cause of Christ is the con-
version Of the world. The work voluntarily
undertaken by his servants, is nothing less
than universal dominion for their Lord
How vast an army of ministers and mission
aries is required? How immense the sum
of material wealth that is demanded of the
Church to sustain them? s..
The Church is "the pillar and ground Of
the TRUTH" 1t is the fulcrum on which is
poised the lever of the cross. From its small
area, and its impoverished membership, must
come the force needed for the conversion of
mankind If she were sold out to-day, her
wealth would be but drop in comparison
with the object contemplated. Yet the word
of God is pledged for its accomplishment
through these insignificant Instruments
The cause languisheS on account of the un-
faithfulness of men. Through the apathy
and negligence of individual Christians, one
generation after another perishes, and the
Redeemer continues from age to age to be
excluded from his rightful domain.
Wherein has the Church failed of her
duty? We answer in the words of the
prophet, "m tithes and oferings." You
are citizen of the kingdom of grace. The
obligations as well as the benefits of your
connection with it are absolutely infinite.
Can you measure the claims of your Crea-
tor? Can you estimate the debt you owe to
Christ? You have ,knowledged the con-
trary, and by profession dedicated your life
to his service. But have you done your
duty in his spiritual kingdom? Are you
not returned delinquent on the book which
records the contributions of his people?
When the Lord answers the prayer of his
Church, and sends forth laborers into his
harvest, it is her obvious duty to enable them
to perform their work.
And this leads us to inquire into the
method she is expected to adopt for this i'm
portant object How is she to raise the
means required for the occasion ? Does the
gospel demand money? Is not salvation
free, "wthout money and withoM price,"
In one sense, this is gloriously true. No
consideration is required for the pardon of
sin, or title to. eternal life. Mercy and
heaven are the gifts of God through Jesus
Christ our Lord. But when we have once
accepted this infinite favor, and become the
willing subjects Of kingdom which cannot
be moved, we are expected to discharge the
duties of good citizens from principle of
natural obligation, and profound sense of
gratitude for the mercy we have received
In this view, the gospel makes larger de-
mands than the law. 1t requires, not a
tenth, but the whole of our possessions; not
merely our property, but ourselves. And
this sacrifice the Christian processes to make
when he assumes the vows of conservation
to the service of God.
The kingdom of Christ is spiritual king
dom, and its revenue is levied, not upon the
purse, but upon the heart. But still the
Church owes to its Redeemer all the means
required to maintain the ministry. The
amount is to be assessed by each individual
for himself. 1t consists of the free-will Of
ferings of the people. 1t is raised, ''not by
constraint, but willingly; for the Lord loveth
cheerful giver."
A certain amount of means is necessary,
but the contributions of the Church fall far
short of the demand. The responsibility
rests upon her members, and each one bears
his proportion. Whoever claims exemption,
ought to make out clear case to justify him
before God. The general rule is obvious,
that the citizen of the kingdom of Christ is
bound to share in its burthens. For he
hopes that he has been admitted to share in
its spiritual blessings. Honor and gratitude
require him to contribute to its material sup.
port, Gas the Lord hath prospered him. y
The principle is recognized by St. Paul in
his Epistle to the Romans, when he says o1
the Jewish Christians, "For if the Gentiles
have been made partakers of their spiritua
things, their duty is also to minister unto
them IN carnal things" And in his frs
Epistle to the Corinthians, he says: "Do "
not know that they which minister abou
holy things, live of the things of the TEN
pie? and they which wait at the ALTA
are partakers of the altar? Even so Aat1
the Lord ordained that they which preach tn
gospel, should Ivs Of the gospel"
Does the reader discharge this part of hi
Christian duty? Do you cheerfulg and reg
ularly contribute of your means to tn
treasury of the Lord? Multitudes of pro