The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1874-12-16
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
HOME MISSIONS.
BY REV. II. II. HAYES.

"Fifty-three counties in Virginia anc
West Virginia entirely destitute of oul
preaching and churches! Eighteen more
counties are largely destitute, varying in rate
from half to nearly all the population" Sc
says the report of our last Synod's Commit
tee on Evangelistic Labor. Is not this
enough to startle our beloved Church into
greater activity? True, we are also told
that Sin most of the fields = other denom-
nations are doing something to give the
people preaching" But are we SO much
weaker than they? Or so much more desti,
tute of love for the souls perishng almost at
our own doors? If this is not the true state
of our case, then we are unfaithful in thus
neglecting our home fields. One thing or the
other is true. Which is it? In either case
most sad testimony is on record against our
Church. There is, as the Committee most
justly intimates, no reason why Presbyte-
rianism cannot bear it's testimony to the gos.
pei wherever sinners dwell" Then beyond
all question, 1" if it does not, those who work
its machinery must be unfaithful to their
trust"
What is the remedy? The question is a
most weighty one. But the more weighty,
the more should it be agitated and considered.
Why can other denominations (even some
whose preaching is more than questiona-
ble'') find the way to send men to these
fields, and means to keep them there, while
we cannot or do not? The Report says,
"One great difficulty lies in the want of
men" But have we no men of missionary !?
Yes, as good and true men as any other de-
nomination ever had. They are already,
some of them, in foreign fields, and others
are seeking to follow thither. Now may it
not be the duty of some of these to consider
more carefully the wants of our home fields?
May not this Synod's report be Gods spe.
cial call to them, directing their steps of
duty to the destitute in these more than
=" "ffty-three counties in Virginia and West
Virginia?" Surely these are seriously i'm
portant questions
But, says the Committee, "the chief diff
Guilty lies in the want of the necessary funds.
If this is really the " chief dificulty,' then
it should at once be removed through the Ii
berality of Gods people. If it is the "chief
difficulty" then we may conclude that men
can be found, d,-perbaps are now waiting aud
ready to 60 into these fields just as soon as
the Church will send them,- just as soon as
the Church will say to them, as she does to
the Foreign Missionary: $50 in Gods name,
and you shall be supported" Is it not due
to the home field, as much as to the foreign
st is not believed, )" says the Report, that
at present full support could be derived
for an evangelist from any Of these fields J;
but it is thought that man thoroughly fur
n;shed for that work would soon draw no in
considerable part of his support from them. "
Then let as put such men there! If one will
come to the Church and offer'to 60, will she
accept aud send him, as she does the foreign
missionary? Why mott Why one, more
than the other field?
If it be answered that there are so many
Christians already in this country, and the
probability is that they will throw light into
our dark places; the reply is in the fact
that they have not done so. Nor should we
trust to such probability" The perishing
ones are here, and are needing present ear
nest work among them. So the Report
speaks of "Vast multtudes of perishing souls
whose plaintive cry now is, Come over and
help US, whose cry if unheeded, may turn in
the judgment day into the bitter reproach,
mo man cared for my SOUL" And what
shall we say? The answer should now come
from the pockets of Gods people. The
Presbyteries will send out evangelists, if the
people will give them money to do so. Then
the responsibility in this matter is not more
with the Church at large, than with each IN.
dividual member of 1t. How many are there
who have actually given nothing within the
year, to this work? God knows How
many who have not done what they could
God knows How many who will now send
in of their means for this work ? 1t is no
too late. And how many who will by tht
time of our next collection for this work
save and have ready one, two, five or more
dollars forit? If Gods people will only keel
IN mind the needs of His work, and "lay BY
in store" for giving, as God prospers them
every difficulty would be at once removed
and every waste place would soon be full o
the knowledge of Christ. Would it not b,
well for every pastor, when any collection i
taken, to remind the people of the time ant
object next in order, and urge them to lay
sup in store" for it?
"CHRIsT's CHURCH. 1t is told of a maj
poorly dressed, that he went to churcl
seeking an opportunity to worship. Th
usher did not notice him, but seated severa
well-dressed persons who presented them
selves, when finally the man addressed tn
usher, saying: "Can you tell nae who's