The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-07-05

DR.. b. said that without derogatlng from
the Importance of other enterprises of the
Church, the cause of Sustentation stands
prominent Education and Sustentation
appeal more strongly to our people than any
others. They are designed more promptly
to meet our great wants At the close of
the war, the inquiry was, what is to become
of these feeble churches? Had not the AS
sembly devised this scheme, many of these
would have ceased to exist The Presbytery
of South Alabama mas forty-six churches,
ana but fifteen ministers Just after the
war, there were even fewer minister's
Many of the churches which had not been
supplied at all were rescued by this Commit
tee. 1t has enabled ministers to give them
selves wholly to preaching the gospel. He
did not think that any sympathized with
those who had inadequate salaries, more than
those who are well supported. He often
wondered how it was that his brethren could
preach as well as they do, when their minds
are so harrassed and vexed on account of
their insufficient support He sympathzed
deeply with Dr. Porter in the claims of
Texas There is pressing claim in that
direction. The Church should put forth un-
wonted energy in that State. But we are
not to confne ourselves to that quarter
We must give the same attention to the whole
land. Scattered everywhere are ministers
suffering from inadequate salaries, and many
enfeebled churches almost ready to die, to
which we must reach out our hands. How
is this to be done? He would call special
attention to the recommendation in the re-
port, of the necessity of more enlarged lib
erality upon the part of the churches. 1t
is a matter of surprise that the aggregate
contributions are 50 small. 1t has been de-
monstrated, time and again, that but two
or three cents week from each communi-
cant would supply all the money necessary.
Why is it that money was not forthcoming ?
In this the people are not so much to blame
as the ministers and officers of the Church.
There seems to be timidity, delicacy in
pressing the claim. Ministers in his own
Presbytery feared that the people might sup
pose they were pleading their own cause
he would as soon, or rather, if he might use
the expression, stand in his own pulpit and
ask his people to contribute to any of these
great objects than to preach the gospel
He had no hesitation whatever. His people
knew that he was pleading for the Master.
He had once reminded missionary, just
commencing his labors in his city, TO announce
the customary collection on the next Sab
bath He said, Il wish you would do it; l
feel delicacy about it, If the ministers
and sessions would bring before their people
these wants of the Church, We should have
all the money We want. Members of the
Church in his Presbytery had expressed sur
prise that certain objects had not been pre-
sented, and freely opened their pocket-books,
stating that they had known nothing at all
about them. What is most needed is in
struction to the people-to inform them Of
the claims of the Church and this is precise
ly what is not done in many instances. The
reason why more is given in the cities, is be,
cause these matters are brought more regu-
larly before them. The return to the Apos-
tolic plan of weekly collections had its in
cipiency in his own city, as minister pre-
sent would bear him out in saying. Very
early after the close of the war this matter
was earnestly discussed in joint meetings Of
sessions and deacons of the churches there,
who came to the conclusion that weekly con-
tributions in the House of God, as a means
of grace and an act of worship, was the GUS
tom that ought to prevail. That course was
adopted and the amount given was greater
than at any time previous to the war, al
though they as well as others had been greatly
embarrassed. The adoption of this custom
in every church would supply all that is
needed. Poor members of his church, re-
ceiving o monthly stipend from the church,
scarcely ever fail to put in their picayunes
or dimes. So would be in all the churches.
Another point in the report of the Com
mittee was the necessity laid upon the Pres
byteries to institute regular visitation of
the churches, or as it has been called in some
of DR.. Palmer's articles, episcopal vista
ton commissions of ministers and elders,
ministers who shall spend at least one month
in the work, or an evangelist regularly en-
ployed by the Presbytery. By this plan,
many of our languishing churches would be
revived, their energies would be quickened,
aud resources they had not dreamed of would
be found. To illustrate by his own expert,
ence-he had been appointed to visit GER
tain church which had never had pastor,
and was without the means of grace except
when he visited them. Last summer he
spent ten days with them preaching every
day; a work of grace began, resulting in the
gathering in of about twenty three souls,
many of them persons of means and energy.
And now that little church, heretofore sus-
tanned by missionary labor, is looking out
for pastor, and they say that they are able
of themselves to support one. There is no
subject more important in the circumstances
in which we are placed than this. As men,
bers of the Church of Christ, and protesting
to be deeply interested in its welfare, we
ought not to listen to these addresses and
the representations of the Committee, and
forget all about them when we return to our
homes. With our prayers should be CORES
ponding effort and energy in carrying out
these recommendations of the Assembly.
DR.. DABNEY's ADDRESS.
The adequate support of the ministry has
seemed an insoluble subject for us. 1t may
be said that there is a reason in the nature
of the case why the support of the ministry
must be more or less inadequate as long as
men are partially sancti6ed. The ministry
is instituted for spiritual interests, and be-
cause men are born sinners, dead to spiritual
things by nature, and not wholly awake to