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

this calls for a renewed conservation to God
of the silver and the gold.
DIR. McPhail.-This is subject on which
l cannot forbear to speak, subject of
great and essential interest to the world. 1t
is mark of the presence of the Great Head
of the Church when young men rise and con-
secrate themselves to this work. 1t is
cause of gratitude to God But year ago
l was sitting in Presbytery when five young
men appeared before it as candidates. A
venerable father sat by, his eyes glistening
with tears as they were questioned. At last
he asked, care you aware what life of
poverty it is? that you are throwing aside
all hopes of honor and of wealth." They
answered that they were. The fact of young
men of talents coming to give their wealth,
coming to give their lives to poverty and self
denial is proof of Christ's presence and ap-
probation.
There is rendering of the 10th Psalm,
such as this: The multitude of thy young
men shall be more in number than the drops
of morning dew. In every generation when
God designs blessing it is by making young
men willing.
This is question which has produced
more solicitude in our own organization than
in any other At the first our hearts trem-
bled as we asked: Whence the supply for
our pulpits? Bat now nothing is before us
but thanksgiving. We cannot calculate the
good to be accomplished. And so far from
exaggeration in our estimates of the num-
bers looking to the ministry, | think it is far
short of the fact.
We have more in our desolation than in
our palmiest days. God is making us glad
according to the years in which He has
afflicted US. The affliction is only to pre-
pare us for the blessing. Whom the Lord
loveth he chasteneth. Have we not reason
to thank God, take courage and press for
ward? Our fathers held that education was
necessary to the upbuilding of the church.
1t is no less so in the present.
1t is not fair to suppose that the ministry
can be kept full without the use of means.
And as the State teaches her soldiers, so the
Church should train her ministers. And see
how they show result thousand fold
Let me mention fact. A young brother
came to me lately, and said, "When | came
to college 1 thought that had funds for
several years" He had been teaching
school, but when he started for college he
had collected but little, and expected the
balance to be paid as he wanted the money.
He had not received a cent. He said, must
leave or be helped. If he left he could only
60 through the same experience. Your COM
mittee relieved his wants and his mind.
Let me call attention to another case. A
friend sent enough furniture to our college
in North Carolina to fit up one room. 1
then found out what did not know before,
that there were two young men rooming to-
gether; one the son, and the other the grand
son of minister, who had not the means to
secure bed-clothing to keep them warm
Their hearts overfowed with thanks.
This cause of education comes to the very
essence of supporting the Church of Christ.
And when we shall see the results in the great
day, when the Master shall say: "Inas
much as ye did it to one of the least of these,
my brethren, ye did unto me, how shall
we rejoice? / am almost tempted to say,
that more can be done for the Church in this
way than in any other. The prosperity of
the Church is in proportion to the number
of able and faithful ministers in the Church.
And though we are impoverished, yet let US
consider how little is necessary to supply the
Golfers of the education fund of the Church
every year. Christian friends, in making
your yearly offerings do not fail to remember
the cause of education.
ADDRESS OF REV. DR.. PALMER.
Though / am not a member, feel it a
privilege to take part. The facts have
long since thrilled the entire Church. This
great blessing has lifted the heaviest and
darkest cloud on my own heart. Two or
three years ago the dispersion of our people
and Reorganization of our Church was our
great trouble, but we knew that this would
rightitself Then came the poverty, of which
we have perhaps said too much, that produced
almost an entire paralysis of exertion. We
felt that we could not take hold of Christ
Then came the years of the worm and cater
pillar, and out of deep poverty we did not
know how the Church could emerge. These
dark clouds did not discourage my labors.
He who created the sun and made it pledge
that seed-time and harvest should not cease,
gave hope for the future. But my great
encouragement was this: Whence our future
ministry? Our old men were dying off.
We were shut off from the sympathy of the
world. The children of Israel at the Red
Sea, with mountains on the right and on the
left. were not more isolated than our Church
at the close of the war.
There is not one branch of the Church in
England or America who has lifted the hand
of cordiality. 1 feel that there is something
grand in conception in this position of iso-
lation. We must place before us the figures
in order to appreciate its grandeur. From
two students to eighteen, forty, three, eighty
three, two hundred and fifty, nearly one
third of the ministry of the whole Church.
We are not going to die. | have no doubts
for the future. If God will secure us liv-
ing ministry, we can see in it Gods own
pledge that he has called US to career of
honor and increasing prosperity. Then put
with this the other fact that just now, when
the Church has spread forth her hands to
receive Christ's ascension gifts, some fifteen
or twenty have asked to be sent to the foreign
work. It is like Gods command to Israel
to 90 forward across the Red Sea. Here is
the material; young men who shall come
forth as our future laborers. We can af-
ford, amid the marks of war, to stand alone
under the blessing of Him who smiles upon
US.
do not believe that the ministry creates
the Church, but it is coincideut with the
maintenance of the Church. l do not dis
IL e d. 1. afto.