The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-07-07
OUR PROSPECT FOR MINISTERS.

We have no wish to break the force Of any re-
marks in the memorial of the Rev. DR.. Dabney to
the General Assembly, found on another page, so
far as they may be justly applicable to our cOndl-
ten. Our whole Church should be awake to the
responsibility resting upon it, and no prayers no
efforts should be spared that may secure US, by the
blessing of God, full supply of pastors for the
work of the ministry.
But it is every way proper to look also at the
encouraging facts in the case. The report of our
Committee of Education to the General Assembly,
refers to an extended inquiry by circular letter
addressed to all our ministers 1t says:
1.-THE result is that the number of candidates
under the care of the respective Presbyteres is re-
ported to be 1873; the number studying for the
ministry, but not reported as under the care of
their PreSbyteries, Is II; the number detained
from school for the want Of means is 9; aud the
number who are still undecided, but majority OF
whom viii doubtless study for the ministry is q {;
the total number reported is PAS These are re-
ported from 80 Presbyteries From Is Presbyte-
ries no report was received.
As tending to counteract some discouraging re-
presentations which had been published, in another
place we find the following facts presented:
sit IS proper before closing, to advert to one
other matter The statistics of our Church show
falling off from our rolls of nearly 100, since the
first organization Of this body, counting with ours
the roll of the United Synod. But this simple
statement, unexplained, gives too discouraging a
view of our condition. During the war there could
be but little increase of our strength, while the
usual causes Of mortality were much aggravated
| Moreover, there were many on our rolls who were
only nominally members Of our Church, whose
names have since been removed Still further,
| quite a number of those formerly connected with
US have withdrawn and united with other branches
of the Presbyterian family. Our first full roll
since the war, was published in 1866 But at that
time our rolls had not been revised and expurgated.
| On it are the names Of several who died during
| the war, and of quite a number who had then, OF
| have since withdrawn from US. The falling OF
has therefore been much less than the above state
ments would indicate. The future prospects Of
our Church, under Gods blessing, are as cheering
in this respect as those OF any other Presbyterian
denomination.
| The report in which these statements are en-
bodied was prepared at time which gave the au'
thor Of the memorial had no opportunity Of seeing
| it before drawing his paper.
Is there not some mistake in saying that in 1860
one half of our working ministers in the Synod Of
Virginia were from abroad? Not having the
Minutes for 1860 at hand we have looked into
those for 1856, and the result does not confirm the
correctness of the statement. If we take account
at the same time Of those ministers from Vrgiaia
who were, in 1860 laboring in the bounds of Otha
Synods land that is the fair way of making the
estimate) we think it certain that there is mis-
take in the memorial. But it is best to know thu
exact facts, and to ponder our duty in the light o
them. We shall be thankful for any who will ale
US in the examination.