The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-07-07
Letter from Rev. C. Kingsbury, D. D.
PINE RIDGE, May Sth, 1869.


The day is far spent. The night is at hand. [
must work while the day lasteth the night cometh
in which no man can work When | last wrote
you. my health was good Since then an attack of
chills and fever has reduced me very much, and
shown me how frail am.
have been much interested in the report of the
has come to me in the Southern Presbyterian of
April 18th. Such a meeting must have happy
influence on those whose privilege 1t was to enjoy
it. Our Ignorance and the sinfulness OF our ma
ture renders separation of churches necessary
evil 1t also has its advantages, IL largely In
creases our aggressive power. The South needs
the benefit of such meetings. which heretofore
have principally been enjoyed in more northern S
ATTITUDES | am thankful that the Holy Spirit Is
putting it into the hearts of some of the young
men OF our country to give up the pursuit OF earth
ly treasures for those riches that will endure
Unspeakably, yea infinitely more important is the
work OF saving souls than laboring tor that whlcn
is to perish with the using.
When L was considering the question OF duty,
as to preparation for the work of the ministry,
tempting offer was made me to engage in lucra-
tive employment. By the grace of God was
enabled to put aside the temptation. consulted
with my minister, He favored M, preparing tor
the ministry but frankly told me, if was not vii
ling to be poor and despised man all my days,
not to think OF being minister This was not an
encouraging prospect to poor human nature. But
grace enabled me to triumph. [ chose the poverty
and reproach of the ministry to the boarded treas
ures of earthly gain And never for moment
have | regretted the choice | then made. have
reason to blush and be humbled that have done
no more for him who died for me. But feeble and
unproductive as my labors have been, | am better
satisfied with the result, than should be to have
nv name enrolled among the millionaires of the
day.
The goodness of the Lord has abounded towards
me and calls for my unceasing gratitude and praise.
Ny labors are principally with the freed people,
and have the satisfaction of seeing around me an
orderly, peaceable, and comparatively industrious
people, attentive to the preaching of the gospel
and number of them learn to read the word OF
God. How much longer [ shall be able to minister
to these people is very uncertain In prayer
meeting which was attending yesterday, L was
taken with chill, and had to be carried home by
those who were present.
One way in which am endeavoring to improve
the evening of my days, is by procuring and put
ting in circulation such periodicals and other publ
cation as are fitted to extend the knowledge and
the influence of the gospel among the reading
people of the country, so far as can reach them.
There is a great restitution OF good reading mat
ter, and there are few who are disposed to sub
scribe for religious papers. When small books
and tracts and chldrens papers are put into their
hands, they are read with avidity. Whether any
permanent good will be the result, must be left to
him who has the residue of the Spirit.
The Missionary