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


of the Assembly was held in behalf of Sustentation
"a large congregation being present. The follow
ing interesting addresses were delivered.
ADDRESS OF DR.. A. A. PORTER.
DR.. Porter commenced by remarking that
the best way to advance the cause of Sus-
tentation would probably be to interest the
Church in the great State from which he
came. Texas is of vast extent and impor-
lance as part of the United States. Very
few have conception of the extent OF its
resources. It comprises about one-thirteenth
of the entire area of the United States
equal about to the States of Tennessee, Mis-
sissippi, Alabama, Georgia and South Caro-
lima, all together. Throughout this vast
territory there is an amount of fertile land
probably not to be found within the same
compass elsewhere on the globe, certainly
not in the United States. 1t has also all
the useful minerals, and almost everything
necessary to the comfort and convenience of
man, and to the arts and sciences. The
climate is salubriOus and delightful, in a
large portion of the State exceedingly health
ful. White men can labor throughout the
heat of summer with ease and convenience.
A common remark is, "This is to be white
mans country" 1t viii doubtless be filed
with dense population of Industrious, en-
terprising farmers. There is a large immigra-
ton every year from all parts of the United
States, and several European States. Texas
is destined to become in very short period
the richest and most important portion GER
tainly Of the Southern part Of the United
States.
The Presbyterisns in Texas are compare
lively small and feeble band. There are
four Presbyteries and 2, 500 communicants-
less than can be found in a single Presby-
terry in some of the older States There are
only thirty or thirty FIVE laboring ministers
few and far between. The churches are
small and feeble, and at great distances
apart, very few being able to support their
pastors Since the close of the war at least
sixteen ministers have been sent there from
other Southern States. Nearly every one
has been, and many still are assisted by the
Executive Committee of Sustentation. The
Committee had done much for them for which
they felt deeply indebted and thankful. He
was fully satisfied that more would have been
done if the men and money had been at com
mand. There was urgent necessity for more
liberal assistance. Suppose in these FIVE
States there were scattered but thirty-fve
ministers Among the immigrants are many
Presbyterians scattered far and wide, very
rarely within reach of the ordinances of the
Presbyterian Church. These are your own
people from your own congregations, your
friends, neighbors and children. They are
dependent upon you for the gospel. If
eyangelists are not sent, they and their chill
dren viii soon be lost to the Presbyterian
Church, as many Of them already have been.
Opportunities most precious are continually
presenting for the planting of the Presbyte-
rian Church-for laying the foundations Of
important and valuable congregations. Every
day these opportunities are vanishing away.
Failing to secure these we fail to secure ad-
vantages and resources for the future, Valua-
bic to che entire Church. They will be
secured by other denominations. Other
churches are wide awake, putting forth active
and successful efforts, gathering the settlers
into their churches, and among them many
of cur Presbyterian people. If we do not
move more rapidly than we are moving, in
q few years the best portion Of the land will
be almost entirely lost to US. The necessities
are great and urgent in the whole Southern
land; but can we not accomplish more toward
strengthening our Church in the future, by
securing opportunities and advantages pre-
scented to US in that new, rich and growing
country, rather than wasting our strength
upon the worn out, barren and almost hope
less localities in the older States? A faith
full and diligent minister can accomplish
vastly more in almost any part of Texas
than in any part of these older States. Few
AMI far apart as are our ministers, they
s2read over but a small portion. There is a
vast extent of country which has never re-
eeived a minister of Onr Church. He DR..
Porter was stationed at Austin, the capital,
upon the frontier line of the Presbyterian
Church in that State. Following a line run
ming West or Northwest from Austin, you
win not find another Presbyterian minister
until you reach the Pacific coast-not one
Yet there is broad and healthy land, rapid
ly filing up with an industrious population
destined to be exceedingly rich, and album
dant in men and means It is entirely un.
occupied
lie gave these facts, that the Church may
have some idea of the great work we have
to do in that field which promises so much
TO our beloved Zion. He earnestly implOred
every member of the Assembly to consider
the interests of our Church there, and to do
al that could possibly be done to send min
listers to Texas, and to throw no obstacle in
the way of any one whose attention the
providence and Spirit Of God had turned to
that field He had felt pang of heartfelt
pain in noticing lately that one of the older
Presbyteries had refused to suffer a call from
"a church IN Texas to be placed in the hands
Of one of its members. He entreated them
by their large and liberal love, not their To-
cal devotion, but by broad love for the
Church's general interests, to encourage any
one who may turn his thoughts toward that
suffering and destitute land.
In regard to the general work of the Ex-
ecutive Committee, he sometimes feared that
few if any of US apprehend in their due i'm
pOrtanee the interests and operations of that
Committee This General Assembly is the
bond of union between all the parts of the
Church, but this Committee is the instrument
through which to unite the sympathies of
the entire Church as one body-the organ
Of near and delightful relations and respon-