The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-11-03

| twenty-five counties ana numerous important
towns, and contains population of very nearly
| $50 900 Most of It's churches are feeble and as
yet unframed TO honor the Lord with their sub.
stance. Wide fields open around every established
church. with rpenipg harvest demanding more
labor than pastors can bestOw The report from
this Presbytery says, The people receive US
kindly, hear US attentvely invite us to come
again; the great interest in this work is that it
opens so wide before u.s. It is inviting from its
vastness." Each OF the two evsngeists employed
has four feeble churches under his care, and sbo-
riously extends his work as far as he can. 1.-The
three eastern counties of Monroe, Greenhrier, and
Pocahontas are in good part occupied Kanawhs
county has four churches; Mason 8; Putnam and
| Fsyette, each 3; Cabell Lincoln. Summers. Rsl
eigh and n cholas, each l.; Braxtop. Calhoun,
| Clay, Roane, jackson. Boone, Wayne, Logan and
Wyoming none. If PresDyterianism, as we hold
it, is ever to be felt in this great field il must be
planted there by our efforts, and that in the next
ten years. Others are seeking to occupy this re-
gl0n.
In the north west of this Presbytery lie the FIVE
counties of Braxtou, Clay, Calhoun, Roane and
Jackson unoccupied by US, making an area of some
80 miles long by 20 broad, or 1000 square miles,
and containing population of nearly 30 0O0 Ii
seems very desirable to send an Evangelist inme.
diately into this field In the extreme south west
lie the four counties Of Wyoming, Boone. Logan,
and Wayne, covering an area of ABOUT 1900 square
miles, and containing population of over 80 600
Surely We should hasten to send an Evangelist uto
this great field. Although each of these fields is
large enough to give work to many men, it is not
likely that either of them will give half enough to
support one maD
| DIFFICULTIES
The scattered condition of our fields creates
difficulty common to nearly ak our. PSS6S2tsS;SS
Rivers and mountains, and
ments interpose serious
prosecuting our Evan2G
Presbyteries. The
ly of suitable men for this HelO
serious difficulty. But the most serious
in the want of funds. Presbyteres seem 70 CD
liberality, and to economize their means By com
bining feeble churches. None OF them have seen
their way yet to form the combinations recommend
ed by the last Synod.
CONTRIBUTIONS.
This report, be it remembered, does not, and
cannot embrace the collections taken up last month,
but only those OF the year prior to first of Septem
Der last. A statistical statement, compiled from
Minutes of General Assembly, and amended by
Presbyterlal report is appended which will show
that our church was not sufficiently alive to this
important work. Several considerations should
mitigate our judgment upon the apparent delin-
sened the pecuniary ability of our people; the
Evangelistic fund was separated from Sustentation
only in January 1874, SO that last year collection
was the first tor this cause in some Presbyteries
TIE churches COMPOUNDED the two causes, and made
but single Offering, which naturally went to Sus
tentation. Oae Presbytery explains its churches
delinquency by the fact that it did not employ an
Evangelist. But after all it seems certain that our
people have not generally learned the grace Of
serving God with their substance and have not
yet appreciated the demand for the blessings of the
gospel which is made without ceasIg from the
Christless waste around them. More than half the
churches of this Synod contributed nothing to the
Evangelistic fund last year. This statement can
be explained only by the fast implied IN number
of the PiesbyterlG reports, and expressly affirmed
in others, that our ministers aud sessions fail to pre-
sent the high claims aud the appalling facts Of this
cause and to give their people an opportunity to
contribute to it. We have set to learn the first
instance where Presbyterian congregation has
failed to give something to a cause which is COM
mended by its officers, and for which these officers
J passed around the collection basket.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
In view at the foregoing facts, your committee
recommends the adoption Of the following resolu-
tiops
l. That our Presbyteries be earnestly advised
and urged to pursue the aggressive policy of evan
gelization, aud in connection with the General As
sembly's scheme; to call and set apart suitable men
to the honorable work of EvsDgelists and when
practicable to join together in occupying their con
tiguous fields.
3 That Prosbyteries, whether they employ evan
gelists or not be enioinsd to hold all ministers and
sessions to q strict accountability for presenting
this cause to their congregations and affording
them public opportunity Of giving to it.
That in the judgment of this Synod, pastors
should exercise their own missionary spirit and
that of their congregations by doing Evangelistic
work around them, and that our most favored con
gregations should facilitate and encourage such
work by sharing literally of their pastors time and
services with the destitute, that new churches may
be planted and feeble ones built up
4 That this Synod commends Greenbrier Pres
bytery to the special consideration of the Assem-
bly's SustentatiOn Committee, and hereby requests
that Committee (the Presbytery's Committee Of
Domestic Missions concurring), if possible TO grant
Greenbrier Presbytery an appropriation sufficient
to support two additional evangeists.
I On behalf of the permanent Committee Of
Evangeistic Labor.
| ABNER G. HOPKINS
| Chairman