The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-06-21

lZatOn VI power In the East. Ine Commlluee are
faithful; their motives are upright; they have
managed the business to the best of their ability
But, sir, think it is time that the Assembly
should carefully consider the question whether we
ought not to divide the work now IN the hands OF
that Committee. The Secretary has himself said
that he feels himself burdened.
AS to the promotion of the interests OF our
Church in the West, in my judgment, the Assem-.
bly, is doing but little. Its work is not at all ade-
quate to the necessities of the case. Our Church
is alive as to educational and some other matters
but 1t IS not alive to the Importance OF extending
and establishing itself in the Western country 1t
needs special attenton--more attention than 1t can
get when entrusted to a committee which has
many other matters to look after. Our Synod re-
ceived, according to the reports of last year, nearly
$4,000 to extend our Church in Texas; portion
Of that was given by the Church in Texas itself,
leaving about $2,4OO given to Jus. That is sum
sufficient to build one sanctuary, whereas we need
hundreds of them. My Presbytery at this time
has no evangelist in the field, because we cannot
see the way to sustain one. A good brother under
took the work In faith last year, without being able
to see the means OF his support he has declined
it for this year. One reason is that he cannot be
supported. My Presbytery asked the sum of $3.50
for his support and received $3.50. He raised
from the churches by diligent effort, about $3.50
more-making $500. His labors were exceedingly
arduous, and ne is over sixty years of age. 1t is
time for the Assembly to take this work into care
full consideration. should like if it were in order,
to move now that tho work of Sustentation proper
be turned over to the management of Synods--
each to manage its own Sustentation work, as in
the Synod of Kentucky. That Synod has, it ap-
pears, been more successful than the whole Church
has been | would have our Sustentation Com.
mlttee conine its labors to the work OF extending
our Church in the West in our great Domestic
Missionary field.
remarked that our Church appeared to be alive
in other causes, Education and Foreign Missions.
1t contributed $780, 600 to this interest last year;
would not have that one cent less. wish were
able to make it 100000, and send out hundred
missionaries. But are we awake to the Importance
of prosecuting the work of Domestic Missions in
our own land? Shall we give less attention and
means to this work? Think of it Twenty five
hundred dollars spent in our great missionary field
in Texas at home, and $50, 900 spent abroad! Our
people are to some extent discontinued at this
They cannot understand it. [ believe If the work
were separated in this way, and we were even to
prosecute this work of extending the Church In
the West, it would appeal more powerfully to the
sympathies and the pockets of our own people in
the West, and it seems to me, more powerfully to
the sympathies and interests of our people in the
East Parents in the East have children in the
West; if appealed to they would be ready to re.
spond with their money to send the gospel to those
children. Two weeks ago | met an intelligent edu.
Gated lady from South Carolina, brought up under
Presbyterian influences, who told me that she had
not heard sermon in two years. 1t was not her
fault it was not owing to the manner in which she
had been brought up; but there was no minister
near. In my own Presbytery we have thirty coun-
ties, extending over large territory, in which
there is no Presbyterian preaching. This is not a
bad sample of the whole State | would ask the
Assembly carefully to consider whether this is not
the time to inaugurate this work. Brethren say
"the time mag come" A brother writing an
article in the South Western Presbyterian DR.
Plumer suppose) says the time may come, and
implies that in his own mind the time may be upon
us now. [ hope we will not pass hastily upon
this matter. We have spent two days upon an
educational scheme of comparatively minor i'm
portance to this great work of preaching the gos-
pei and trust we shall not nov, in haste to get
home, pass over this, but give it more careful con-
sideration. If it were in order, would like to
move that this matter be referred to special COM
mittee to consider whether it is not now expedient
to divide the work of Susentation, and appoint a
committee to prosecute the work of church extern
sion in the West
DR.. E. T. Baud-This question has never been
the subject of conversation in our Committee at
Richmond; | have myself never personally under
taken to influence any person on the subject All
[ want is that the best interests of the Church be
promoted and whatever action is wisest and best
in the Judgment of this Assembly, would be cor
daily received by every member of the Committee.
We have no interest that is not in common to the
whole Church.
The report was then adopted.
Adjourned, with prayer by Rev. Andrew Nc.
MILAN.