The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-03-24
From the Southern Presbyterian.
Foreign Missions "A Proposition.

From statments published ia the last number o.
the Missionary. it appears that the sad and dis
tressfu prospect staIes US in the face, that Ou
Committee OF Foreign Missions may be compelled
to 20 before the pext General Assembly bnrdene(
with debt of $4,000 or more, TO be followed
most probably with a serious retrenchment of ou
foreign missionary work. This prospect cannot b,
otherwise than appalling to every ore among III
who sincerely desires the welfare of Zion and Ia
bors for her increase. To be compelled to abandon
our mission posts and call home our missionaries
while God is so signsly blessing them. would in
deed be dire calamity, little better perhaps thar
relipquishiDg the work altogether. We have Ger
tainly come to crisis in this grand enterprise
After all the prosperity God has conferred upon it
we must now either humilatingy retreat befor,
surrour ding difficulties or, by larger exercise
faith and redoubed effort take an i'm portant steI
foraoard. To such juncture has the Lord brough
u.s.
What our duty under the circumstances is
surely none can for moment question. Whei
the children of Israel, led SO far by the unmstaka
BILE finger of God, stood fearful and trembling be-
fore Pi-hahiroth-hemmed in on the one side b.
the lofty mountains whose steep and rugged sides
they could by no means SCALE directly confronted
by the Red Sea which spread itself for twelve OF
fifteen miles across their path, aud completely
closed in upon the rear by the pursuing host oil
Pharaoh, so that there appeared no human posi-
blity of escape-in their distress they cried unto
God for help. And the Lord said unto Moses
Wherefore criest thou unto met Speak unto Til,
children Of Israel that they go Jorroard." And al
We need Is grace to obey the divine command -
The laborers have already offered themselves. and
are gone forth or are only waiting to be sent The
means to carry on the work we have in abundance
If we will but give it. All that is wanting is faith
"a heart to trust God and 60 forward, according
to his word. But instrumentalities must be EN-.
ployed tor the quickening and DEVELOPMENT OF
faith. Works and faith 60 together. Moses must
needs, at Gods command, stretch out his rod over
the sea, that pathway for Israel may be opened
up through its DEPTHS. oii u
And now what propose is this: That the month
OF April-including the first Sabbath of May, the
time for the annual colection-be made grand
rallying season throughout our Church in behalf
Of Ct Foreign Missions. Many, perhaps most; Of our
Presbyteries meet during that month Let the
corresponding members Of Foreign Missions Tor
others interested in the oause) see that in every
Presbytery, during these sessions. there be meet
ing in the interests Of Foreign Missions, when ad.
dresses upon the subject shall be made the minis
tiers and elders Of the churches stirred up, and a
collection raised. In all cities where there are
more than one congregation, let mass meetings In
behalf of this cause be held to arouse the people
and call forth their contributions. And in every
one of our churches, large or small, let there be
meeting some time during the month specially to
instruct aud stimulate our people in regard to this
work. And so let our Committee 90 up to the AS
sembly at st. Louis reporting the deficiency paid
off; and the Church may set out on a new career
Of enterprise and success 10 this glorious cause.
Will not the religious papers Of our Church take
up this proposition and give it publicity and en-
And will not all our brethren come
up resolutely and earnestly to the help of the
Lord to the help of the Lord against the mighty"
Who art thou, 0 great mountain? Before
zerubbabel thou shalt become pain!'
- .4t WATCHMAN