The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-05-26
FEEBLE CHURCHES.

Throughout the bounds of our Church there are
many little organizations of believers which seem
to hang suspended between life and death. And
there are many scattered members OF our told
whom Providence has separated from their breth-
rem, and deprived of the privileges Of the sane
tuary. These feeble churches, and these scattered
sbepherdless sheep, must not for one moment
imagine that they are forgotten by their most Ia
vored friends. Their circumstances are OF course
diScouraging, and often no doubt the temptation
viii arise, to dissolve their connection with US, and
enter with their families into other commumons.
But we would say to them that the times are pecu-
liar and that the present condition Is necessarily
transitory Let them do nothing rashly. Let
not your heart be troubled neither let 1t be afraid
Your circumstances and privations are the ordeal
of faith. If the Lord has led you thus far through
the wilderness, you have reason to hope that ne
will be with you to the ea. aasA.s2k
And we wOuss. say to bur 80 S1arches, that
it would be better for themselves to think and feel
more for these mourning ones on the outskirts OF
Zion. Wherefore, lift up the hands which hang
down, and the feeble knees; and make straight
paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be
turned out of the way, but let it rather be healed
This may be done in various ways which, through
inadvertance, we are too apt to overlook. We can
pray for these discouraged friends with our minds
turned to their condition, and with deep SYM
pathy for their privations. We can help them
substantially, by liberal contributions to the cause
of Sustentation, from which they receive their
principal support. We sometimes think that much
good would be effected by correspondence with
them, and by sending to them living messenger to
inquire into their condition. and express our fater-
nal regard and interest in their welfare. The active
intercourse ofapostolie times might be proftablyre-
vived in our day. We are great losers by stagnaton
and suspension of social intercourse. The general
cry is that men have not time for these move
ments But the Lord does not think so, and he
may resort to the method of judgment to afford
us time. 1t was persecution that gave such rest
less activity to the transit of the primitive diSci-
pies; and persecution may come again.
But we intended simply to encourage our wan.
dering and homeless sheep, by suggesting the hope
of better times. Our present desolatiOns have
become generally known, and the Church is be-
ginning to feel its responsibility concerning them.
Men and money the recognized sinews Of our
spiritual warfare, will probably be furnished more
and more freely, as the country RECEIVERS from its
prostration Let US look up-yea, look up to
heaven itself for wisdom, strength, and hope
Men ought aloays to pray, and not to faint. u
God never wishes US to fear and mourn, further
than is necessary to make us pray All affection
accompishes its end, when it drives us out Of
ourselves and out of our despair to the throne Of
grace, where sincere believers are assured of help
in time of need, Look up, dear friends, however
widely separated from your former privileges, and
believe the promise that you will never be forsaken.