The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-01-20
For West Hanover Presbytery.

1The communication of DR.. Dabney came
lust at time when several others on the same
subject were published. On this account it was
withheld for a season. But as the matter to
which it relates is one of the gravest import, and
deserves to be kept before the eye OF the Church,
1t is here presented for the use of any in West
Hanover fresbytery or elsewhere who may have
neglected O make contribution. PRES.
To the Ministers and Churches of West Hano-
ger PresLytery.:
Dear Brethren. us to call your
special attention to the circular letter of DIR.
j. L. Wilson, Secretary of the Assembly's
Committee of Sustentation. You will there
learn that the very existence of a large part of
the Presbyterian Church OF our connexion, in
these distressed times, depends upon your earn
est and liberal aid This call is reinforced, for
all themembers Of West Hanover Presbytery,
by the notifying fact that our contributions
to the Assembly's treasury have been nearly
doubled by their disbursements in our bounds
Our Presbytery divides with East Hanover the
honor of being the mother Presbytery of our
Church. IF the oldest cannot help themselves,
by nearly the half of their wants, what is to
become of the youngest? Or is the old moth
er in dependent, decrepit second childhood,
which must be nursed by her daughters? 1t
Is very plain that at this rate, our cause must
perish, unless other Presbyteries, somewhere
in our bounds, are more faithful to it than we
are Your Committee on Sustentation cannot
again have the face to demand Of the Central
Committee so unreasonable share of the
Church's means; as that Committee cannot
in equity, bestow it. So that, unless more is
contributed by our own churches, we must sui
fer at home, as well as elsewhere.
The deficient amount has not arisen so much
from a total neglect of a number of our
churches as from disposition on the part of
most, to satisfy themselves with nominal
contribution. Of the whole amount reported
by West Hanover, nearly half came from one
church. no stronger than many others among
US, whose pastor. session, and members seem
to have felt their duty. Will not all our other
churches, this month, come up to their whole
With such roads, and uncertainties of wealth
er as now prevail, we cannot hope to get the
aid Of the whole people of any congregations
on any one Sabbath of January. We would
therefore, plainly say to the pastors and ses
sions, that it VH not do, to give this call Of
the Assembly the go by, with hat collection,
in winters congregation, on enc Sabbath, in
our country churches. 1t may as we'll be can
didly said at once-for it is true-that this is
but trfing with the cause, and if the Church
is to act in this spirit, the cause will perish.
Where collections are taken at every meeting
for public worship, we would suggest that at
least NIL the collections of the month of Janu
airy be appropriated to Sustentation; aud we
also beg that the session, or deacons, or some
godly females, will secure the aid of every
member of each congregation, whether present
at public worship or not
Collections may be sent to the Treasurer OF
the Presbytery, C. C. Read, Esq, Farmville.
Va. But if remittances are made to the AS
sembly's treasurer direct, memorandum Of
the amount should, in all cases, be sent to Mr..
Read
On behalf of the Presbyterian Committee
of Sustentation. r. l.. DABNEY.
,JanudrU 4th 1869