The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-12-01

really doing all that could De reasonably expecteu vi
them to support the Gospel. and to see farther |
whether they could not, by kind and persuasive
measures, be stimulated to higher standard OF
liberality. Some one representing the committee |
could speak more freely, and bring about more i'm
portant results than the pastor himself could. A |
score of cases might be mentioned where churches
BY such MEANS have been induced to give twenty |
FIVE, fifty, and even hundred per cent. more than
they had been in the habit Of giving or supposed
themselves capable of giving 1t is scarcely neces-
sary to add that in all such cases the preaching OF
the Gospel has been more highly valued on this
very account. The same course, so far as it may
be found practicable, should be pursued where a
larger number of churches has been placed under
the care of an evangelist. In number OF cases,
we are glad to learn such churches contributing
enough for the full support Of their evangelist and
are not therefore, under the necessity OF looking
to the Central Treasury for any assistance what
ever.
Another not less important measure is, that you
see to it that all the churches in your respective
Presbyteries contribute as literally as possible to
the general fund. To raise the salaries OF minis
tiers to the proposed standard and at the same time
meet the missionary wants of the whole field, will
require an advance upon the contributions OF the
last year of from forty to fifty per cent. The aggre
gate receipts ought not to be less than $45 OOO tor
this full amount will be needed. Nor can this be
regarded as burthen, as it will not amount to an
average of more than fifty cents to each church
member We can not hold on to what we have at
present, much less enlarge our borders, unless we
can do this. Texas, one great Domestic Mission
ary field, will pass out of our hands altogether, I'M
less we can do more to uphold and extend the Cos
pei there, than we have done for several years
past AS much may be said, perhaps, in relation
to large portions of Louisiana, Arkansas and Mis-
sssippi as well as smaller sections of some of the
older States. Every Presbytery therefore, and es.
pecially the older ones, ought to aim to raise in
their churches at least one.fourth more than they
will expect to draw from the common Treasury
In no other way can we possibly maintain ourselves
or enlarge our borders. What particular measures
should be adopted to stimulate the churches to a
higher standard of lberality, must be left to the
discretion of the Presbyterial Committees them
selves. Correspondence with ministerial brethren,
personal visitation of the churches and the circu.
lation of printed circulars have all been tried with
good effect, but none of which can be relied upon
as the exclusive means. Much may be effected by
enlisting our Christian women in the work, espe-
cialy by organizing them into missionary associa.
TONS under the direction of the pastor and session,
for the promotion of this important cause.
Another, and perhaps more important measure
than either of the two already indicated is, that
we continue to stand firmly united in those great
principles of unity and common brotherhood which
lie at the foundation of the Sustentation scheme,
and which have heretofore, with the blessing of
almighty God, preserved our Church from disin-
tegration and ruin. The temptation to break away
from this unity and concert of action is especially
strong in those Presbyteries whose energies and
resources are being more rapidly restored, and who
are more sensibly impressed by the destitutions
Immediately around them, than they can be by the
wants of the Church at large. That some of our
Presbyteries, even at the present time, could do
better, in pecuniary point of view, by breaking
off from all connection with the rest Of the Church,
and devoting all their resources to the exclusive
cultivation of the fields Immediately around Them
cannot be denied. But in view of such course,
what becomes of those larger portions of the
Church which have not yet recovered from their
prostration and impoverishment? Is it certain
that the conquest aimed at in these new fields will
compensate for the losses that must necessarily be
sustained in the older ones? Would it not be bet
ter and more seemly for the whole Church to rise
together from the common prostration than to
have that irregular action introduced by which
one portion will rise and 60 forward, whilst the re-
mainder will be left indefinitely in the mire? IF
the principle of separate action be adopted, what
becomes of those efforts now being SO successfully
made, to place ministerial support on proper
foundation? But above all, if the principle of
Presbyterial independency ever becomes the order
of the day, what becomes of that great principle
of unity and brotherhood which sustained our be
loved Church in the darkest hour of her afiiction
and which promises, with the blessing of God ere
long to place her in the front ranks Of the evan
gelical Church in building up the Redeemer's
kingdom upon earth.
In the course of time, no doubt regulations may
be introduced into the Sustentation scheme by
which certain and definite portion of all the con-
tributions of the Churches in given Presbytery
may be returned to it for local purposes. Indeed,
the Committee have all along acted upon this gen.
eral principle so far as the wishes Of Presbyteries
have been made known, and so far as it has been
consistent with the wants of the more destitute
portions of the Church. But for the immediate
present, we must stand together, hold with firm
hand all that God has given us in better days. and
then, as He shall give us the means and resources,
20 forward in solid and united phalanx, not only
to build up all our waste places but to make our
influence felt in every portion Of this broad land
Yours in Christian and fraternal bonds,
J. LEIGHTON WILSON,
Secretary of Sustentation.
On behalf Of the Executive Committee of Sus.
tentation.