The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-05-05
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
The Central Presbyterian Church, Washing
ton, D, c.

Mr.. Editor,-You have been furnished by the
Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Chesapea Ike,
with copy OF the proceedings, and thereby mott
fed of the connection of the Central Presbyterian
Church of Washington, D. c.. with that body at
its late meeting at Culpeper Court House, Va.
Knowing and fully approaching the deep per-
sonal interest felt by you in our Divinely guided
and protected little church enterprise from its very
beginning, we have thought that copy of our ap-
plicaton and report to Presbytery might be accep-
table to you and are sure that in its perusal you
will with US, rejoice and give thanks"
Lest from the report, you should receive the
same erroneous impression that seems to have
been made upon others, it may be we'll just here
to state, that we are by no means wealthy people,
on the contrary, we are Every feeble folk"
Several Of our members are persons living here
because the ravages OF war had made it impossible
for them to live in their Southern homes More
than fourth of our membership, have up to this
time felt themselves unable to contribute anything
pecuniarily towards the support of the Church !;
and large majority of the remaining three
fourths, are persons in very moderate circum,
stances with families dependant upon them.
That 1--WE have neither asked nor received any
assistance from any outside source" has not been
because we have not needed and desired assistance
but because there was no outside source (no eccle-
siastical body or Church organization to which
consistently with sef-respect and the exercise Of
ordinary common sense, we could reasonably apply.
We could not expect aid from any organization
in connection with the Northern Assembly, and
the impoverished condition of the Southern
churches left no funds in the hands of the Susten
tation Committee for new church enterprises.
Cut off from all earthly mornings, our anchor
has been cast within the veil, and therefore, our
little bark has been unframed by the surging OF
the foaming pillows.
We have not persisted, only because the resist
less voice of Omnipotence has said to the angry
winds and waves ''peace be still " "Not unto
u.s. not unto us, but unto His great name be all the
praise and the glory!"
Many individual members of either the Old or
New School Presbyterian Churches North, per-
sonal friends Of Mr. Pitzer and of those most
deeply interested in the enterprise, have attended
our Sabbath afternoon services, and have contri-
buted literally towards the payment of incidental
expenses and of our pastors salary. But for these
(humanly speaking we could not have succeeded;
but of course the means, as we'll the end, all
ordained by Him who "doeth all things well, :"
and truly, His arrangements cannot be i'm.
proved"
The offerings that have been cast into the treas.
ury have not been the gifts of the rich men, "out
of their abundance" but widows mites" care
fully secured by retrenchment in personal and
household expenses.
"Alabaster boxes" too have been broken, and
we trust that ere long, 1.-THE whole house will be
filled with the odour of the ointment"
Old family silver, jewels and treasures, endeared
by the strongest and tenderest of human associa
tons, have been brought and freely given-sacri.
feed some have thought-but not so the Master.
Let her alone, she hath done what she could
This also that she hath done shall be spoken of fol
memorial of her.
Surely, with such sacrifices He is ever well
pleased" If there be one anywhere willing tc
offer such sacrifice to Him. "who offered Himself
sacrifice for u.s. let that one hearken and obey;
as from Him who spake as never man spake, u
comes the command $50, and do thou likewise. "
Pardon me if have wearied you, and believe
ne as ever, sincerely yours, IoTA.