The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-12-17
From the Missionary.
News From the Presbyteries.

The Chairman OF the Committee of Domestic
Missions of Cherokee Presbytery writes:
THE Presbytery is in hearty sympathy with all
the Assembly's schemes, and will cooperate with
good measure of its ability. There is improve
ment in the berality of the churches, and through
our continued evangelistic work it will be stimu
lated more. The year S work just closed foots up
cheeringly-over one hundred additions to the
churches, over 81 900 more for sustaining the COS
mel than any previous year; one church and TWO
branch churches organized; two more pastorates
formed and several preaching places established,
where Presbyterian preaching never obtained be
FORE These results we have obtained 10 part
through the help of the Committee. Three new
church buildings worth each 50 500, have been
erected, and another is now under way.
The Chairman of the Committee Of Western
Texas Presbytery writes as follows:
81 have Just returned from a very fatigning
trip, my second tour through the counties OF Con
zales, Fayette Colorado, Jackson and LaVaca.-
These counties embrace a splendid region OF the
finest country. We have scattered Presbyterian
interest in each of the above named counties. In
Gonzales county, which is little State Of itself,
living on both sides of the Gaudaloupe River, forty
bv sixty miles in extent, there are outside the town
of Gonzales some eight or ten neghborhOOds where
we have few Presbyterian families that need
preaching, and might soon grow into hourlshiHg
little churches. | visited some OF the points re-
ferred to- but for the lack OF time had to torego the
Measure of more thorough visitation. That
which is most discouraging in the aspects of this
region is the complete apathy OF the people-with
a very few noble exceptions; also the scattered
condition of our interest There are only two
poipts outside the town, where an organization
wonld be advisable The brethren OF the town
think the best they can do will be to sustain min
lister in the county. La the counties of Fayette,
Colorado, and Lavaca, we have six small churches,
all together not able TO sustain minister With
competent support. This whole region is very
fertile, and is increasing IN population, though
much of the immigration is such as to furnish no
aid or announcement to our Church. being Ger
man, Bohemian, and Polish. This impresses me
with the necessity of an acquaintance with these
European languages, especially the German. We
very much need good German preacher IN West
ern Texas believe, however, they are scarce
commodities. From pretty general survey OF the
ground, | am inclined to recommend to the Pres
bytery the mpoyment of two more men to occupy,
first the Gonzales field; second the Colorado, en-
bracing Columbus Usage, Abbeville, Halletsvllle
and Oso, with several smaller points, and then an
evangelist at large without regular appointments.
| am satisfied that the plan which we have already
attempted of grouping our little churches IN the
most convenient connection possible, and then the
efficient use of the evangelstic agency for the re-
gions beyond, is the true plan. We must also sup
ply our evangelist with the publications of our
Church. that be may sow the seeds of truth 10
many places and families where he can not by the
spoken word. Quite number Of families inquired
of me for books ezpoundng our doctrines.
A venerable minister of Red River Presbytery
sends the following stirring words:
I'VE wish very much to be able to employ an
evangelist in our bounds the ensuing year, but fear
we may be unable to find the right kind of man
young brother (sngle) preterred-and to raise
the amount of money necessary to sustain him,
without drawing too largely upon the funds of
YOUR Committee. We have twelve or thirteen
whole Parishes in the northwestern portion of our
State, within the bounds OF our Presbytery, and
only four or FIVE ministers Tor this whole field, al
ready white to the harvest. We have some ten
vacant organised churches, and as many more