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

The following report of the Standing
Committee on Education was read on sub
sequent day, and adopted:
Your Committee, to whom was referred
the Report of the Executive Committee on
Ministerial Education, would respectfully
submit the following Report to the General
Assembly, to.wit:
Upon examining that Report, we find
that there is deficiency, in the Treasury,
of 1869, to meet the immediate demands
made upon the Executive Committee; that
there has been, during the past year, an
unparalleled increase of candidates for the
ministry; that one-half of the churches,
mostly vacant churches, have done nothing
for this cause, and that some of our Pres
byteries have acted Independently in this
matter, and when pressed for want of means
to sustain their candidates, some of these
Presbyteries have called for aid from your
Committee.
We therefore recommend to the Assembly
the adoption of the following resolutions:
1. Resozved, That it is just cause Of
devout and heartfelt gratitude to God, that
He has, to gratifying ertent, supplied the
Committee with the means necessary to
prosecute their work.
2. ReSoZved, That we urge upon our
churches to consecrate themselves and their
property more entirely to God, and to con.
tribute more largely of their substance, not
only to supply the present deficiency in the
Treasury, but also to meet the increased de-
mands made upon the Executive Committee
by the unusual increase of candidates fol-
the ministry and, resolved further, on this
point, that those churches which have con
tributed nothing to this cause during the last
year, are urged to take up collection as
soon as practicable.
3. ResOlved, That those Presbyterie'
which have acted Independently are re
quested to cooperate with the Executive
Committee, and it is recommended to thai
Committee to withhold their aid from Pres
byteries which neglect to do so, until those
Presbyteries which act in unison with then
have their wants supplied.
4. Resolved, That in view of the increased
numbers of those who are seeking the min.
isterial office, and the necessity of prudence
and caution in this important matter, it is
enjoined upon the Presbyteries to exercise
great care, and to encourage none to 60 for
ward who do not give satisfactory evidence
that they are moved by the Holy Spirit tc
seek the sacred office, and to this end, re-
sOlued further, that it is enjoined upon oul
Presbyteries to maintain and preserve high
standard of ministerial qualifications.
5. Resolved, That the last Thursday il
FEBRUARY next is hereby appointed as day
of prayer, for the outpouring of the Holy
Spirit upon the youth of our churches, and
of our institutions of learning, and for Gods
blessing upon this cause.
6. ResoIved, That it is hereby recommend
ed to our Christian people to unite with this
General Assembly in returning thanks tc
God for the manifestation of His presence
among our young men, in leading so many
of them to consecrate themselves to the
ministry of the Gospel.
7. ResOlved, Finally, That the following
persons be, and are hereby, appointed the
Executive Committee for the following year
Rev. E. 7. Baird, Secretary of Educa
ton; Charles Gennet, Esq, Treasurer; Rev
NJ. D. Hoge, D. D., Rev. VIM Brown, D. D.,
Rev. G: H. Read, D. D., Rev. E. H. Ruth
erford, Rev. T. L. Preston, Hon. W. F.
Taylor, Hon. J. W Herndon, B. R. Well
ford, Jr, Esq, and E. H. Fitzhugh, Esq.
ANDREW HART, Chairman.