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

have been put up IN localities where there II
very little prospect that respectable congre
cations will ever be gathered, and for the
accommodation of one or two families who
might without any serious inconvenience
have worshipped in private houses. Some
times heavy debt is incurred, which not
only proves a detriment and annoyance to
the congregation for long years, but furnishe;
the pretext for not doing anything for the
cause of general benevoence during those
years. In other cases buildings are under
taken that are vastly too expensive for the
resources of the people, and recourse is had
to the Church at large, or an appeal is made
to strangers who know but little about us,
and can be supposed to feel very little inter
est in the welfare of our Church. Are we
not in this way exposing ourselves to the
not altogether undeseryed charge of mendi-
cancy? Is it not better and more creditable
to us as Christian people to be content to
worship in plain sanctuaries that have been
reared by our own efforts than to have more
costly edifccs erected for US by the charity
of others?
The whole amount contributed to the Re-
lief Fund since the first Sabbath in July,
the time appointed by the Assembly for the
first general collection, is $3,439 II. The
number of families that have received aid
since that time is ffty-seven, and in sums
varying from S. to 500. These sums of
course, have not met all the wants of these
families, but they have gone far to alleviate
their more urgent necessities. 1t is very
desirable that the average amount should be
raised at least to $1O0. To do this, how
ever, it would require $4,000, or nearly one
hundred per cent. upon last years contribu
ton. This sum and more too can easily be
raised, if ministers will only take the proper
pains to bring the subject to the attention of
their people. The number of churches that
have contributed to this fund is only two
hundred and ten, or about one-sixth of the
whole. The cause is one that will always
find ready access to the hearts of Gods
people, and it is surprising strange that min
listers should be Indifferent about cause
that ought to be so near to their hearts, and
in which the welfare Of their own families is
so intimately involved.
In conclusion, the Committee would call
the attention of the Assembly to the great
Importance of having manses provided for
all our ministers who are engaged in the
pastoral work. Every congregation within
our bounds, that has not already made such
provision for its pastor, ought to be urged to
do so as soon as possible These manses
ought to occupy central and eligible posi-
tions; they ought to be made as commodious
and conf ,rtable as the circumstances of the
congregations will allow; and when located
in the country they ought always to have
few acres of arabic and wooded land attached
to them. 1t is not proposed that the AS
sembly assume any responsibility in connex-
ion with this matter, further than to urge it
upon the attention of the Presbyteries under
their care. The Presbyteries are the pro-
per bodies, in the judgment of the Commit
tee, to initiate the necessary measures for
carrying the plan into effect, and it is earn
estly hoped that they will at once give the
subject all the attention which its great i'm
portance demands. Not only will the COM
fort and usefulness of ministers be greatly
promoted by this measure, but the cords of
affection and confidence between him and his
people will be greatly strengthened.
All of which is respectfully submitted on
behalf of the Executive Committee of Sus.
tentation. ]. LEIGHTON WILSON,
Secretary Of Sustentation.
BYLAWS FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE Ex-
EcUTIvE COMMITTEE OF sUsTENTATIoN.
l. All appropriations by this Committee,
whether to assist feeble churches, to aid in
church erection, or to support missionaries
and evangelsts, must be based on the re-
commendation of the Presbyterys Commit
tee of Domestic Mission, within whose
bounds the money is to be expended-it be.
ing understood that the Chairman or Secre-
tary is regarded as the organ of the Pres
bytery's Committee.
2. The Committee shall always appropri-
ate specifically to the different objects pre-.
sented by the Presbytery's Committee of
Missions; and unless preference is ex-
pressed to the contrary, it will always give
the precedence to applications in behalf of
feeble churches.
3, No appropriation shall be made to sup
p,ement the salary given by feeble church,
unless the Presbyterial Committee, through
which the application is made, can certify
that the congregation itself has done all that
could reasonably be expected of it to raise
a sufficient salary; and further, that the
minister is not himself engaged in any secu-
lar business which renders him competent
support The sum of $3.50 per annum shall
be the maximum given to aid feeble church,
that the full appropriation of S25O shall
not be given to any particular church, or
made for more than two consecutive years,
except in extraordinary cases, and in none
but extraordinary cases shall the Committee
ever grant more than one-half as much as is
given by church or number of churches
for the support of their pastors or supply.
4. The maximum appropriation that shall
be made for the support of a Missionary or
Evangelist shall not exceed $500, and in
none but extraordinary cases shall the Com
mittee grant more, than the organised
churches under the care of the evangelist
shall raise for his support.
5. No appropriation shall be made to aid
in repairing or erecting a church edifce,
except where the Presbyterial Committee of
Missions can certify: l. That the congre-
CATION themselves have not the means to 90
it. 2. That no application has already been
made to churches which are expected to con-
tribute to the general fund. 3. That the
amount appropriated by this Committee will
be sufficient to put the house in condition
to be used for public worship.
6. No appropriation shall be made to
churches, or missionaries in Presbyteries,
which do not carry on their domestic mis-
sionary work in accordance with the plan