The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-05-03
Presbytery of the Western District

Met at Trenton, on the 3Oth of March. Rev. G..
A. Russell was chosen Moderator, and the Rev.
G. K. Caldwell, Clerk, pro tenn. There were in
attendance ten ministers and eight ruling elders.
Chairmen of committee On SuStentattOn. -
Rev. f. McNair; on Foreign Missions, Rev. j. 0.
Publication, Rev. 9. X. Caldwell; on Sabbath
Schools, Rev. G. A. Russell.
Mr.. Jno G. Gillespie was appointed Treasurer
of Presbytery in the place of Mr.. H. K. Northway,
resigned.
The Committee on the Huntingdon Church was
continued and ordered to report at the next meet
ing of Presbytery.
Candidates for the Ministry as Colporteurs.
following memorial was adopted and ordered to be
sent to the Assembly, viz:
The Presbytery OF the Western District would
respectfully memorabilia the General Assembly in
session at Huntsville, Ala, to instruct the Com
mittee OF Publication to make arrangements so
that employment may be given to the candidates
for the ministry as colporteurs, during their vaca
TONS 1t is a fact well known that the Committee
OF Education does not propose to furnish the full
amount required to educate orr candidates. but
only to assist. The maximum amount allow Dyed
this Committee will, in no case, allow young man
to complete his course. They are expected and
urged to engage in some employment during their
vacations TO make up the deficiency. But to what
shall they resort? If is urged by some to teach
ing, the difficulty Of obtaining schools is so great
that but few could find employment, and besides
it would be too great drain upon their health and
strength to come direct from the confinement OF
the College or Seminary, and settle down during
their vacation in the school room.
By employing them as colporteurs it would in
vigorate both mind and body. 1t would give them
the best possible schooling to fit them for the min
istry. 1t would relieve the Committee of Educa
ton and advance the interests Of the Committee Of
Publication 1t would meet one of the wants Of
the church by bringing to every family our books
and enabling them to obtain these books by put
ting them in the reach of every one. Ten may be
induced to purchase book when they see it, to
one who only sees notice of it, and there are hun
dreds who are wanting these books but they do
not know how to get them. Now, by the employ
ment of our young men in this work we would make
them selfreliant and relieve the church OF great
portion of their support. The sales of our books
will be greatly increased, together with the scatter
ing OF these works throughout the length and
breadth Of the land, besides the untold benefit 1t
would be to these young men and the families they
may mngle with.
Sardis was chosen as the place, and the l4th OF
October next, at ii O'clock A. NJ, as the time for
the next stated meeting Of Presbytefy.
Rev. j. h. Gillespie, was dismissed, to connect
himself with the Presbytery of Memphis.
RsSohed that committee of three. viz, Rev.
E. McNair, G. K Caldwell and elder j. S. Giles
pie, be appointed to arrange the churches in Pas
torates.
That, those Pastorates composed of two or more
churches shall not be re arranged without the order
of Presbytery.
That, each church under our care be fully tested
as to its ability to support minister for the whole
or half or any part of his time.
That a & will a raUardad a
minimum sum necessary to entite.a church to the
whole of ministers time, and $500 to the half,
and so on in proportion.
If church shall, at any time, fail to meet the
requirements, it shall, by reason Of that failure be
liable to lose part of the pastors time. bearing
proportion to the loss sustained in the decrease of
his salary.
That your committee be directed to inquire into
the expedency of an assessment on the stronger
churches, with view to the furtherance of the
interest of evangelistc, labor, and report on the
whole subject at the next meeting of Presbytery.
The Commissioners to the General Assembly
were chosen delegates to the University convention