The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-01-13
FoR TIE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
FOR SUCH A TIME as THIS. I"

vigorous action. When Esther stood tremb
ling end hating, Mordecai reminded her o
her responsibility, and inquired, "Whc
kncweth whether thou art come to the king
dom for such time as this 7"
The transition from the old to the new
year finds our Church scantily equipped, bu
ploughiDg her way to glory through the
threatening waves of somewhat stormy sea
Business men are "taking inventory" and
forming plans for another year. 1t is right
for Christians to consider their ways" to
"count the costs" of their warfare, distinctly
to renew their VOWS of conservation to the
Lord, and to resolve upon liberal things for
Him who hath redeemed US with his own
blood. General financial distress makes this
critical season with the Church.
The most obvious want of our Church is
material support for her work. She needs
money, and needs it badly. Ten years ago
our people were ridden down by the iron
horse of war. For decade of years they
have been trampled under the foot of am
bilious political power, wherever it was pos
sible, as remorselessly as the tyrant upon
Virginia's court of arms, and made to eat
the bread of poverty. This experience has
doubtless served good purpose in teaching
our people many important scriptural truths
respecting the motives and principles, the
obligations and blessedness of systematic
benevolence, as is shown sufficiently by com.
paratiye statistics.
"Such time as this" however, creates
special obligations, and demands special self
denial and exertions. If these duties are
neglected, or these demands refused, then
"the OK that treadeth out the corn" at home
will be muzzled, and "the heathen in bis
blindness" will still "bow down to stocks
and stones" For while many, looking at
the times" will say, "this is not the time
to build the Lords house" favoring pro-
vidence is opening to us wide and efectual
doors in the domestic and foreign field.
We would not exaggerste Gods claims if
we could; we would urge no impossibilit;ss
upon any of Gods children. What we urge
is that each one will exercise the grace of
giving "as God hath prospered him." be it
much or little. And while we are not writ
ing treatise on Systematic Benevolence, We
cannot refrain from pointing to such pas
ssges as these; Gas ye abound in every
thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowl-
edge, and in all diligence, and in your love
to us, see that We abound in this grace also,
=. For ye know Che grace Of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that though he vas rich, yet for your
sekes he became poor that ye through his
poverty might be rich. . F.. For if there be
first willing mind, it is accepted according
to that man hath, and not according to that
he hath not" A general and liberal conse-
Grafton of our means is the most obvious
want.
A supply of good fruit, however, depends
upon the nature of the tree. The material
gift must be the Offering of "wiling mind.
The fundamental want of our Church then
is yet more general, thorough, and earnest
conservation of the heart to God. The con-
secration must be all embracing. We want
profounder spirituality, more solemn and
powerful constraining of the love of Christ.
To this end we need frequently to 60 back
to first principles, and to remember the
rock whence we were hewn, and the hole of
the pit whence we were digged." We must
bear in mind that we are sinners, nothing
but sinners and if saved, saved by grace
slone-even the grace of Christ who "trod
the wine press of the wrath of God alone"
for our sakes. "Forasmuch as ye know
that ye were not redeemed with corruptible
things, as silver and gold, from your vain
conversation. But with the precious
blood of Christ as of lamb without blemish
and without spot"
We do not pretend to understand all the
causes employed, or all the objects intended
by God in bringing US "to the kingdom at
such time as this" Nor do we understand
all the causes and objects of the unhappy
condition of the Jews under Ahasuerus.-
One object realized by the latter was to de.
monstrste the devotion of Esther to the cause
of her people and Gods. 1t may be that
these days of anxiety and trial are to prove
our conservation. Let our people then imi
tate the heroism of Esther's devotion as she
rose to the grandeur of the crisis that came
upon her. We cannot read the seventh
chapter of Judges without an involuntary
blush of shame for those who were fearfu
aud sfraid" of the Midianites, though th'
latter were so many and so formidable. w
soon however forget the blush in the gener
Gus glow of pride kindled by the courage
devotion and dherosm of the three hundred VIII
followed the banner of the Lord aud the for
tunes of Gideon from Moreh unto Tabbath
1t gives US pleasure to take our stand besid
the Saviour, over against the re,sury, an
see the "rch men" casting in their gifts
But pleasure kindles into enthusiastic adm
ration when We see the "poor widow" I" cas-
in, in thither her two mites. " all the Twin