The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-05-28


crown all, the average of the majority OF our
minister's salaries far less than the re-
ward of day laborer in some portions OF
the country, and not much more than one
third the earnings of a reputable mechanic.
These facts are appalling in the view of carnal
wisdom; to the eye of faith they present a
thrilling argument for the highest Christian
conservation and endeavor, and they do un-
mistakably show that the Church must bestlr
herself, if she is to maintain her position and
to make increase in carrying forward the
work of God.
After reading the report of Sustentation,
Rev. R. McIlwaine, by general consent, read
a complaint against the act of the Board OF
Trustees in Withholding certain funds from
the control of the Committee, which, IN the
Judgment of the Executive Committee, ought
to have been made over Immediately to the
treasury of the Church.
Rev. J. II. Martin moved that Col I. @. Perrin
report, in behalf OF the Board Of Trustees, be now
read.
Rev. J. L. Wilson, D. D., said that as there
would probably be another paper before the As
sembly, he thought it would be better to defer Col
PERKINS, report until those papers were presented
and read.
Mr.. Martin thought it was fair and due to
the Trustees to hear at this time, and, IN this con-
pection what the Board had to say, and hoped that
their report on this matter would now be read.
The Moderator said that the hour for the second
order had come, and that motion to suspend would
be necessary if this matter was continued.
Mr. Martin moved that the order OF the day
be suspended.
The motion was carried.
The Temporary Clerk then read Col. Perrin s
report.
The Stated Clerk informed the Assembly that
some accompanying papers had been laid upon his
table, in connection with the report just read.
Rev. James Park thought that this report ought
to come before a committee OF legal minds, and
moved that these special papers be laid upon the
table until the other reports aud papers come in.
This was finally amended with the consent of the
mover, and while the report was handed over to
the Standing Committee the papers on this special
subject were referred to special committee OF le-
gal minds
The Moderator appointed the following persons
on that committee:
w. o. n Perkins. A. p Smith, N. Mckay, d.
D.. L. j. Rothrock, r. NJ Patton.
Rev. X O. Davidson said be had some papers
in his hands relative to the bequest of MIR. Lusk
and asked permission to put them IN the hands OF
the committee just appointed.
MIR. Martin thought these papers ought to
90 into the hands OF the standing Committee No
action was taken relative and then Gov. Patton
said he felt Aattered by being appointed on the
committee but he was not a lawyer.
Mr.. Smith thought Governor Patton was the
very man to be on the committee and hoped his
name would not be taken Off
Rev. DIR. j. L. Wilson then read the Report OF
the Committee on Foreign Missions
We make few extracts from the report
Especial thanks are due for the large increase
Of the missionary force for the preservation OF the
health and lives of the missionaries in the field /;
for the quietuess, peace and success with which
their labors have been carried on for the presence
and power of the Holy Ghost in the conversion OF
sinners at most stations; and that the area OF ms
sionary labors has been so materially enlarged.
Two facts alone cast shade over this bright pic
ture. One of them is, that the churches, as such,
notwithstanding the demand for increased liberal
itv. have fallen behind their contributions OF the
preyious year four or FIVE thousand dollars The
other is, that TWO young men, Rev. Josephus
johnson, a native of Mississippi, and recent
graduate OF Columbia Seminary, and Mr.. John u.
| Pipkerton, native of Virginia and recent gradu-
| ate of Union Seminary, appointed missionaries to
/ China. will in consequence OF failure OF health, be
prevented from going abroad. These young 6reth'
rem feel the disappointment very keenly, and they
deserve as they no doubt have, the sympathIes OF
God people.
The whole missionary force in the field, at the
present time, consists OF eighteen ordained MIS-
Sionaries Of whom four natives OF the country
where they live, three male assistant MISSIONARIES
fourteen female missionary assistants, and ten
native assistants making tortyhye laborers IN all,
and all depending upon the contributions OF the
churches as a means OF support.
The receipts from all sources amount to SAL
SIS 10. This aggregate amount includes S29, Is6:
10 given by churches; $7,S03,57 from Sabbath
Schools; SIS, 52l As special contributions Tor the
Campinas Institute; $4,000 from friend In New
York, also for the Campinas Institute; S2,32l. 5O
Of the funds contributed for the purchase OF press
for the Chinese mission, some interest accumulated
from this and other funds, and the receipts from
the Missionary From these statements 1t will be
seen that the contributions OF the churches as
such, are SIS 204 II less than they were last year
The donation of $4,000 by friend In N. York,
was intended as a special contribution to the Campl
mas Institute, and 50 600 more will be paid by the
same individual for the same object as soon as ne
is informed that like Traditional amount mas Deen
given By the churches for this same purpose.
The decrease in the contributions OF the church
es during the last year, though amounting to only
few thousand dollars, is, nevertheless source OF
serious anxiety and calls for the earnest consider
alton Of the Assembly. The whole number OF
churches that have contributed is 69O-ess by
twenty than contributed last year-whist there
are sis that have contributed nothing at all.
In one Presbytery. two out OF fourteen churches
have made contributions: IN another, three out OF
twenty-five in third, two out OF eighteen; IN
fourth three out of thirty-one II nth, hve out
of overweight; in sixth, not one out Of t.0eny
f,3,r. Surely this is a most painful exhibit. But
where does the blame of all this lle? In the great
majority of cases, ministers and church sessions
are mainly responsible for this sad deficiency. 1t
is questionable whether a sing e one OF the Sl5
deiaulting churches would have refused to contrl-
butte their mite to this great cause, II the suoJect
had only been properly presented TO their attention.
Ii will be perceived from the foregoing state
ments that there are now connected with the
Church, and looking to it for support, three mis-
sions among the Iudlsn tribes OF our own country
one in Italy; two in the United States OF Column
bia two in Brazil; two in China; and one about
TO be established in Mexico, eleven IN all. These
are as many central points in the Judgment OF the
Committee, as it is expedient to undertake at the
present time, unless one more In Japan, which
now seems to be open to the gospel, should De add
ed to the number. The true policy tor some tune
to come will be to deveope the work around the
central points already occupied.
DR.. Wilson read also the Treasurer report, ana
these reports were referred to the Standing Com
mittee on that subject
Rev. r. MeIlwaine then read the report Of the
Treasurer of SuStentation, which was referred to
the Standing Committee on that subject
The Annual report of the Trustees and Faculty
of the Theological Seminary at Columbia was read
and referred to the Standing Committee on Theo-
logical Seminaries.
The Annual report of the Trustees and Direc-
tors of Union Theological Seminary was read and
referred to the Standing Committee on Theological
SeminarieS.
Rev. Monrc Oates from the Associate Reformed
Church, was introduced to the Assembly, by the
Moderator, and invited to sit with US and parti-
cipate in our deliberations. "
Dr. WEIGH stated that DR.. Plumer had sent
2S copies of his work on Hebrews to be distributed
among the members from the West