The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-20
FoR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
Sustentation-1872.

To the Congregations and Ministers Of Roanoke
PreSbytey.
In reminding you, dear brethren, as is made our
duty, of the next annual collection for Sustenta-
ton, to begin with the first Sabbath Of January,
we beg you to note these few considerations.
l. If there be any in our several congregations
who are not well pleased with the frequent calls
for money, let all such seriously and candidly re-
feet.
(a) That do nothing church, (and therefore
good for aOthiag) would need no money; where
as in proportion to her fidelity and zeal in prose-
cutting the work committed to her, the Church
must have money to work with. Every Christian,
therefore, and every one who takes pleasure in
thinking that the Lords work is not neglected, in
stead of being dispeased, should be gratifed by
this proof that faithful men are zeaOusy labOring
to advance the Redeemer's Kingdom.
(b) That our importantly is necessiated by the
backwardness of Gods people in responding to
the calls made upon them. We should not have
to be so urgent if the people were willing Of
themselves" like those Christians Of Macedonia
who are held forth in , Cor. viii is, to the ad-
miration and imitation of all others; or were as
forward to serve God with their substance as were
His people in the wilderness, who had to be stopped
from bringing their gifts to build and furnish the
tabernacle: See Exodus xxxvi: 81.
(c) That we do not in this matter bind heavy
burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them
upon your shoulders, while we ourselves will not
touch them our ministers feel the obligation
binding them to be leaders and ensamples" to
their congregations in this, as in the practice of
every other Christian grace. Out of their earn
ings which you pay to them for their services,
they give to this and other causes of benefcence,
even as they call upon you to do from your earn
ings. Let us be workers together in this good
work
3. The need for the coming year for enlarged
collections for Snstentation will be urgent. We
in this older section of country ought not to con-
tinue to be dependent upon the bounty of other
parts Of the Church. But it is already evident
that the amount that will be called for to enable
our weakest churches to enjoy the means of grace
next year, will largely exceed our customary con-
tribution to this cause The entire Presbytery has
given this year to Sustentation barely $500, be-
ing nearly one hundred dollars less than last year,
and an average of but tlreat cents for each white
member of our churchesl How few there are
that could not, with little selfdeniai give fifty
cents. 1t would be but Ct cents for each Sabbath
of the two months allotted for this collection
Some of course ought, and some do give much
more than this. How perfectly easy therefore for
the Presbytery to double and more than double its
for tbiS Obiaot
g. The brethren of the ministry will remember
the order of the Presbytery, that the Pastoral
Letter from the General Assembly, commencing
on page 81 of its Minutes, shall be read from all
our pulpits and that it be made the basis for
such further instruction on this subject as may be
deemed necessary and for such action in the prem
ses as may be required in order to secure the ends
aimed at by the General Assembly" Where that