The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-05-12
GIVING FOR CHRIST.


The Gosnel of Jesus Christ more eXacting than
the Law, demands of us conservation OF all we
possess to his service. When sincere profession
of religion is made, the pentent comes to the
altar, and offers to God his person. property and
time The slightest reservation vltlates the trans
action. The Lord in his goodness permits us TO
retain, and use for own benefit, portion OF that
which we dedicate to him. What that portion
shall be, is left for the enlightened conscience to
determine But it is obvious that if we consecrate
the whole, the part which we actually surrender
to the Church for religious purposes, is not In re-
atty gift from our hands. 1t is that which we
retain that ought to be regarded as gift from
God to US.
Some persons seem to consider the frequent col
ections insisted upon by our church authorities as
an unauthorized exaction. But If our premises
are true, this cannot be correct view OF the mat
ter. The well-instructed conscience reports dit
ferent conclusion. The Church is bound by the
most solemn obligations to press this duty upon
her children. She cannot regard dereliction in
this point as venia error. Christian consistency
requires this kind of self denial truly as others,
and we dare not offer the consultations of religion
to those who refuse to practice it.
But we are frequently met with the questions,
How much, and how often shall we give? AS be-
fore intimated, these points cannot be determined
But in fact the questions are not fairly stated.
The true question is How much can we retain Of
the Offering we have made, to expend for ourselves
| Each conscience must answer for itself. But IN
order to a correct conclusion, we must never for
get that we are handling and disposing of that
which is not our own. The amount that may be
diverted from sacred uses, must be estimated, like
the shewbread which David consumed, by oul
absolute necessities "Having food and raiment
let us Herewith be content" But our daily
bread" need not be literally construed. Whatever
is needfu for our personal comfort, may be kept
back for our individual use in circumstances where
we can conscientiously seek blessing from the
Lord.
The condition of the church is a standing proof
that large majority of its members habitually
RETAIN for selfish ends, the gifts they have profess
eddy vowed to the Lord The poverty of our PEG
pie confirms our judgment. For unless the plair
teaching of the Scriptures may be rejected, We
must believe that our painful privations are in
tended to admonish us of past unfaithfulness il
the use of wealth. Out Of the many millions re
allied from our great staples and our peculiar sys
tenn of industry how little was devoted to religious
purposes "Wil man rob God2 Yet ye have
robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed
thee? In tithes and offerings"
We would earnestly suggest to those PROCESSING
this worlds goods, that money spent for the bene
fit of Chrst's disciples, is spent for Him. Inas
| much as We did it not to the least of these my
brethren, We did it not to me" Think Of the ter
talents, and remember the object for which they
were given.
| But we have a word also for the far more nu
merous class who are struggling with adversely
and tempted to conclude that they have nothing
to give The conviction is extending through thu
Church, and ought to be universal that povert.
furnishes no Just excuse for neglecting the treasu
ry of the Lord. Our Saviours commentator o
the widow who cast in all her living. estabshe
the principle that such self-denial on the part o
the destitute is pleasing exhibition Of sincere
faith, and is worthy of imitation in all ages of thu
Church. Let no one therefore imagine that he il
too poor to cast in his mite at regular periods fo
the advancement Of the kingdom of Christ. Sucf
contributions are the more acceptable, because
| they are made with consciousness Of sacrifice
In these circumstances we feel the pinch of vol
untary privation, we are sensible of the weight
the cross we have consented to bear, and sense
of divine appreciation necessarily accompanies thu
practice of Christian virtue.
If all our poor members would do their duty
by regularly contributing a little mite to the
schemes of the Church for Christian benevolence
the treasury would overflow with funds, and tn,
progress of religion surpass our brightest visions
For when this custom becomes general, the wealth
Ter classes will be stimulated to becoming ibe
rality, and the resources of the Church be made
available for her various aggressive operations.