The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-05-24
REPORI OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMIT
TEE OF EDUCATION.

The Executive Committee of Education,
in presenting its tenth Annual Report to
the General Assembly, has the pleasure Of
stating that the whole amount of receipts
into the Treasury during the year, is SlS,-
S71.6S, and that the whole number of stu
dents 70 whom aid has been extended is 12l,
This shows an increase of contributions into
the treasury, over the sum reported last year,
of 81, ,502.59, and an increase of 13, IN the
number of students aided. So that, again,
under the smiles Of the Divine favor, and
notwithstanding many embarrassments, the
Church has cause of thankfulness that this
work manifests decided progress during
the year, as it has done during every preced-
ing year, from the beginning. The number
Of students reported in 1866, was 1 :; 1861,
the number was Is; in 1868, it was 43; in
1869, it was so; in 1870, it was los; and,
now in 1871, it is 121. This statement
shows a steady and most encouraging ad-
vancement in the number of students seek
ing the sacred Office, to fill up the broken
ranks Of the ministry, and TO take possession
Of the waste places of Zion. The receipts
into the treasury during the same period, in
ike manner, show healthful advancement
of interest in this work, on the part of the
Church. In 1866, the receipts reported
were S217; in 1867, S1,657.43; 1868, S3,-
10; in 1869, S11, ,S58.36; in 1870, $l7,-
5000; and now, in 1871, the Treasurer re-
ports S1S,S71.6S.
This is very encouraging statement, IN
view Of the many inconvenience and en-
barrassments which had to be overcome in
the prosecution of this work; but still the
results come far short Of meeting the appro-
priatons to the students asked for by the
Prcsbyteries.
The appropriations made to students this
year amount, in the aggregate, to So, ,OO5.-
90 but of this sum, as far as now ascer-
tajaed, 81, ,040.33, viii not be called for, be-
cause for various reasons the studies of sew
eral of the young brethren has been inter-
cepted, one of whom, candidate OF the
Presbytery of Holston, was removed by
death. This leaves the remainder of the
appropriations to students, for this year,
so, ,965.59. 1t took S2,I03.12 to pay the
balances of the appropriations due to our
candidates at the close of the last annual re-
port The other expenses of the Committee
we're 81, ,62412. So that the whole amount
REQUIRED to be met was S24, ,692.S3. But
the funds furnished to Union Theological
Seminary either from its own scholarships,
or by contributions sent directly to that in-
stitutiou, enabled it TO aid US in paying the
grants made to its students, to the amount
of S1,010; so that it only required S2,O5O
10 pay appropriations aggregating $4,000.
Adding S1,01O TO our gross receipts, with
the balance Of last year, viz: SIIOI, and
there is obtained S20,05S.75, to be sub
tracted from the gross claims against the
Committee. 1t viii be seen, therefore, that
there is deficit of S4,654.
The students at our Theological Semina-
ries have received their appropriations in
full, according to the standing rule given by
the Assembly Of 1866; and the students in
their College course have received about two
thirds of their allowance, and in some In
stances, where special funds have been fur
nished for the purpose, they have received
even a larger proportion. Moreover, the
Committee found itself under the necessity
Of carrying out in some instances the resO-
luton of the Assembly of 1869, recommend
inc that those Presbyteries which the most
fully cooperate in the raising Of funds,
should have the precedence, in times Of en-
barrassment to the treasury. Hence, after
making heavy payments to the candidates
of some of the Presbyteries whose churches
generally had failed to make contributions
to the treasury of this Committee, they were
Informed of our inability to make further
remittances to their candidates, owing to the
pressure on the treasury. The total amount
of payments thus transferred to the Presby-
teries is S1,93O. Taking this amount from
the preceding deficit, and it reduces it to
less than $4,000, as nearly as 1t can now be
ascertained Should the receipts between
this and the end of the College sessions in
June be sufficient to enable it to do so, the
Committee viii gladly come to the aid Of
the Presbyteriss Just alluded to, if it should
be found necessary. In resOrting to thi;
action, however, care was taken that the
sum necessary to be raised by any Presby
terv should not be excessive; and 1t Is be-
heyed that each Of the Presbyteries referred
TO, can easily raise the required amount
Moreover, there is much encouragement tt
believe that the Presbyteries generally, a
their recent meetings, have taken such actor
as win secure the amount needed to dis
charge all existing obligations before th
close Of the College sessions. Even if tn