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

the spirit of a holy conservation. One-half
of our congregations have done nothing for
this cause. Our vacant churches generally
neglect it; and yet they are expecting the
Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers
into the harvest, and to furnish them with
pastors. If they would only do their duty
in the matter of raising up an educated
ministry, they could pray with more faith,
and expect with greater assurance that the
Lord would speedily send them the under
shepherd
In view, then, of the pressing necessities
of this cause, the Committee would request
the General Assembly to appoint collec-
ton in the months of August and Septem-
Der, from those churches which did nothing
for this cause the past year.
In the midst of our rejoicing, however,
there is cause of fear and doubts. Is this
truly work of the Spirit of God? Are
these young men indeed moved at the call
of the Saviour to enter on the work? or are
any of them actuated by carnal, worldly,
ease-seeking motives These questions
have been pressed on the Committee from
brethren in distant parts of the Church, who
have heard of this movingof our young men,
and have watched its progress with hope and
JOY, mingled with fear and misgiVing. There
are undoubtedly causes of apprehension
A brother in remote part of the Church
suggests 'that it is possible to make the
road to the pulpit too easy, for the purity,
spirituality, and efficiency of the ministry.
We, as Presbytery, are feeling this heavily
at present. Where is the fault Is it in
our system of education or is it in the want
of care and strict fidelity on the part of the
Presbyteries The subject ought to be
looked into This is an important sugges-
ton. Part of the evil heretofore expert
enced was doubtless due to the system of
divided responsibility which formerly pre-
vailed. 1t is believed that great advance
ment was made toward remedying this when
the General Assembly took all jurisdiction
over the candidates from the Committee,
and left it where it properly belongs, under
the Constitution of the Church, and the
word of God, viz: with the proper court of
his house. But still there remains the great
danger af making the way to the sacred Of
flee so easy as to become temptation
Here again, the remedy is with the Presby-
teries. This Committee is guided in its ap-
preparations by their judgment, and is re-
CURED to do so, to the full extent of its
means. The wholesome principle which has
long controlled this subject is a safe one. 1t
has never been proposed wholly to support
the candidates; but to grant them assistance
so as to enable them by the aid of friends,
or by their own exertions, to secure the edu-
cation required for the ministerial Office
The Presbyteries are not wholly agreed as
to the principle on which they request ap-
preparations; but, in general, the Committee
deems it just to say they exercise wise
discrimination, and pursue an economy suf-
fciently rigid. The subject, however, is
worthy of their prayerful attention.
Another excellent brother, in different
part of the Church, presents the case very
forcibly in different aspect of it. We also
give his grounds of doubt, for the consider
alton of this court, as follows; 81 perceive
that an unusual number of young men are
turning their attention to the ministry. In
one sense this is very encouraging. But
there is slight drawback to hearty re-
ioicing on this account. We look over the
country and find prevailing disposition
among our young men to avOid the sun, the
fed and labor. So many are looking out
for easy places, and are led to endure priva-
tons, and engage in humiliating, degrading
and sinful occupations rather than cultivate
the soil, or labor in some useful and respec-
table calling 1 fear that some are in
duced to turn their attention to the minis
try on this account. And l have reasons
for my fears.
''Now the danger is this. Ministers, in
their ardent desire. to see laborers in the
harvest field, in their warm attachment to
a young friend, and the wish that their pGrticW-
lar Chwches may have the honor of send
ing forth one or more ministers, may over,
look some things which they alone, as pas
tors, can see, and urge forth some who are
not qualified for the work. And PreSbyte-
ries may too hastily endorse such. Is this
too hard a saying? Let me say I haze felt
the temptation.
While the Committee would express the
belief that the great majority of our South
ern young men, whose social condition has
undergone complete revolution within the
last few years, have addressed themselves
to the duties thus devolved upon them with
a heroic determination; yet there are ex-
ceptions, and these are sufficiently numerous
to be an occasion of warning
The Committee sympathize deeply in the
anxieties of these brethren. But these
fears may be given to the winds, if those
who have the whole responsibility of this
matter resting on them, only perform their
duty with strict fidelity.
The whole case-the remedy and the pre-
ventive-under the guidance of Gods Spirit,
is entrusted to the officers and courts of the
Church. This Committee can present to
this Assembly the difficulties and embarrass
ments which confront it in managing an in.
terest so momentous, and can furnish sug-
gestions on the subject to brethren who may
seek after them. But here it's duty ends;
the entire. responsibility rests with the pas
tors of the youth, and with their respective
Presbyteries. Nothing is Irresponsible
This Committee rejoices that every matter
of Jurisdiction over the candidates is COM
mitted to the Courts of the Lords House,
to which Jesus Christ has given the promise
of His presence and guidance Wecan safe
w +rust this matter to them with His bless
ing. If we earnestly seek His direction in
the discharge of our duties he will not for
sake US; but we may joyfully trust Him to
save us from that greatest of all curses, a
carnal, self.seeking, unsancti6ed, uncalled
ministry. Nevertheless, to obtain his bless