The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-03-23
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
WEEKLY COLLECTIONS.
"THE SUNNY SIDE.

be able to give your readers the "sunny
side" view of the weekly collection system
from church in precisely the circumstances
of that from which ''Zaccheus' gave them
recently the view from the "shady side. =
We too, are like the comics, 'a feeble folk,
and make our houses among the rocks. .
There is not, strictly speaking, a wealthy
person among US, though there are some who
are blessed with abundance, and in general
all are in independent circumstances. For
many years there was little or nothing given
for the spread of the Gospel beyond what
was contributed by the people for the partial
support of their own minister. When,
therefore, the subject of weekly offering"
was broached, about two years ago, by the
pastor, who had but recently taken charge
of the church, it was found that both the
officers and members of the church were un-
prepared to adopt the plan.
Arguments and facts presented in friendly
conference, soon brought the session and dea-
cons to unanimous approval of it, but still
the old objections, that some would not
like it, and would leave the church; that
others would be ashamed to come when they
had nothing to give; that it was hardly
practicable in a poor farming community,
&C., had to be thought over and talked over,
so that it has now been but year since We
actually adopted the system.
Now for the results: Perhaps one or two
members of the church have expressed some
misgiyings as to the plan, but as far as the
officers know, these are solitary cases. No
body has ceased to attend church, that we
know of, on account of the collections; noI
has anybody threatened to do so. Our col
lectiOns though still small, have made a
decided advanee during this year over those
of any former year in the history of the
church. True they are not as large as they
ought to be. Some give as little as they did
under the old plan. Others give perhaps a
little more, but still irregularly and without
system; and these two classes constitute a
majority of the church members and of the
congregation. Ofthose who give regularly,
some do not give 'as the Lord has prOspered
them," which as we believe is never less
than 1.-THE y but then, there are a few who
do give, some a tithe, some little more,
and they give it systematically and regular
ly. The. latter class comprises but few
cases, and is not composed altogether of the
wealthiest.
Now is there not ground here to 'thank
God and take courage?" think so decided
ly. That the weekly system has not brought
everybody up to the notch is granted. But
the weekly system is not charm. Nobody
should expect it to work like magic. 1t has,
however, brought before the minds of the
people, more frequently, and more impress
sively than ever before, the duty of worship
ping God with their substance. If it had
done no more, this of itself would recommend
it above all other plans. But it has done
more. Our contributions have increased
under it most encOuragingly. What is still
better, it has been the occasion of leading a
few to make an actual conservation of their
substance, as never before. This is worth
more to US than a million in gold. Example
is now added to precept, and the church is
stronger.
1t seems to me that the weekly system
has been commended too exclusively on the
ground that it fills the Lords treasures bet
ter than any other. Unquestionably it does,
but this consideration is certainly subsidiary
to that Of its superior efficiency in bringing
Christians to embrace more fully the doc
trines of stewardship" and Fellowship" as
they are laid down in the Scriptures. Now
the heart is the treasury. Let US lay siege
to these citadels and open the batteries upon
them every week 1t may be slow work,
but as one by one they fall before US, there
is an advance; our line is strengthened
True, as "Zaccheus says, there are so many
people with so little mOney-so many com
munities where even dollars are scarce-so
many Christians who have not learned the
alphabet of denial for Christ, that one is ap-
palled, and shrinks from the bare idea of
asking for weekly contributions. 1t was the
slothful man, believe, who said, 'tbsrs is
Ion IN the ,oay." Let US beware Of his