The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1872-05-29
FIFTH DAY-Night Session.
From the Richmond Dispatch. ]


from the Richmond Dispatch. q
TUESDAY, May 81.
The Assembly convened again at Sl5 P. NJ, the
Moderator in the chair. The fifteenth hymn was
sung; after which, Rev. DR.. Howe, of South Car.
oliha, led IN prayer.
SUSTENTATION
Rev. Vn, Finn presented the following:
The Standing Committee on Sustentation re-
spectfuy report to the General Assembly that
thev have examined with care the report OF the
Secretary of Sustentation, and the papers which
accompany it, embracing the minutes OF the Sus-
tentatiQn committee, the accounts OF the treasurer
furnishing statement of all the esexpended
BY him under the direction Of the committee dur.
Ing the past year, giving the names of all the par
ties receiving aid from the committee, with the
date and the amounts paid, and find them all cor
rect Accompanying these papers sre certain me-
aIs, from INC Exeeu61a Committee to the
General Assembly, which tney have also con-
sdered.
The committee recommend the adoption. by the
General Assembly, of the following resolutions,
viz:
|. That the General Assembly cordially COM
mend the diligence and fidelity of the Executive
Committee of Sustentation in discharging the ar
duous and important duties assigned to them.
2. That the General Assembly again urge upon
the Presbyteries the importance of continued and
increased diligence in laboring to stir up the
churcl les under their to still greater berall
ty in contributing Of their money to this cause, as
God has prospered them, that ample means may
be placed in the hands Of the committee to enable
them efficiently to do the work entrusted to them.
g. Resolved That the Presbyteries be urged to
devise and recommend to the vacant churches
under their care some plan, if possible, by which
they may be assembled togetherat least once every
Sabbath day for conference and worship.
Touching the matter embraced in the memorials
presented to the General Assembly, the committee
recommend:
lst. That in compliance with the request of the
memorialist it be ordered that the time for taking
up the general collection for the Evangellstlc work,
be changed from the first Sabbath in April to the
first Sabbath ia September.
2nd That the committee be instructed to make
no appropriation of funds for the support OF any
other missionary laborers than ordained ministers
or licensed probationers.
3rd. That the bylaws of the Committee of Sus
tentation be amended by appending to the third
rule thereof the following clause:
"And no appropriation shall be made to a church
or union of churches for period of more than five
consecutive years, eXceptunder extraordinary cases,
or except where they are strictly classed as mis-
sionary churches.
Atn. llaG UHe Assembly nave leaIucu VIII POo-
sure that the number of churches and ministers
necessary to put the relief scheme into operation
has been secured, and would earnestly commend
this cause to the attention of the churches.
5th. That the Executive Committee be author
lied to appoint two Investigating Committees con-
sistng each of two laymen, with the Secretary OF
the Executive Committee as &c oftcio member OF
BOTH to be located the one in Baltimore, and the
other in Augusta, Georgia.
Dr. Finn in presenting this report gave brlef
history of the Sustentation cause in connection
with the Southern Presbyterian Church. 1t was
scheme to sustain weak churches and assist in the
support of poorly-paid preachers Thanks to it,
no church has since the war become extinct for
want of funds. But the operations OF the COM
mittee are necessarily restricted. There are four
hundred vacant Presbyterian churches In the
South and these the committee cannot reach.
Now, the health and prosperity of church de-
pends to great extent upon their meeting together
to sing and pray and hear the Gospel preached.
What shall be done with them? One of the reso-
lutons above reported proposes their resusctation.
The speaker suggested that the Presbyteries send
suitable men to the vacant churches to gather the
scattered sheep and to encourage them to meet to-
gether weekly whether there is minister with
them or not Let them hold prayer meeting and
hear sermon read. Thus may the cause be re-
vived and the now dormant churches he brought
into fruitful action. He knew of and cited In.
stances in which this plan had wrought wondrous
results.
Rev. DIR. Marshall of Texas was the next
speaker. He spoke at length of Texas as a mis-
sonary field second to none in its claims upon the
Christian Church. There was fine foundation
there to build on, but men and money were wanted.
He thought the men could be found if the money
was raised Indeed he had come to the conclu-
sion that the want of money was the root of the
whole evil 1t was impossible for men to live on
faith alone, although it had been very nearly done
Ia Texas The speaker saw brother present who
had lived for months on boiled corn and faith.
He remarked, also, that good men were needed
for the Texan field. They had no use for invalids
or persons in search of we'll feathered nests. They
wanted men of judgment and ability-men who
can live on very little, and in the mean time work
and wait. In conclusion, the Doctor made an
earnest appeal for the prayers, sympathles, and
contributions of the Church in aid OF the spread
of the Gospel in the Southwest.
ReU. DR.. Bunting, of Brazos,, Texas, followed
Dr. Marshall in an earnest and eloquent appeal In
behalf of the same great field He sketched the
history of the Presbyterian Church in Texas, be-
ginning with the date of the organization OF the
first church in the days of the Texan Republic. 1t
had long enjoyed foot.hold there bet had done
little in comparison with what other denominations
have accomplished. The example of others should
stimulate US 1t is a territory naturally belonging
to us, and we need men and means to occupy it.
The Sustentation Committee have appreciated the
situation, and are doing they for Texas, bu
their efforts cannot be successful, unless seconded
by the people, Let the money be raised and the
men would not be lacking.
When DR.. Bunting concluded, the doxology
"Praise God from whom all blessings flow, wa
sung. and the Assembly adjourned until % O'Clock
tomorrow.
SIXTH DAY.