The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-10-25
CENTRAL PRESBY TERRAIN.

who have preceded as here give us nearly
welcome and encourage the organization of
Presbyterian churches. He made some ia.
cetious remarks, full of Irish wit, as to how a
minister can be supported in his missionary
work in this frontier region. He had not
suffered las his ruddy face attested when he
appealed to the Moderator to compare his
present appearance with what he was few
years ago at the Seminary Hewould say,
as the secretary of Sustentation Or. Nell
waine) who was not present, that if the com-
mittee withdrew the aid given he would live
on what the people there would contribute
for his support. He had raised in the region
where he was an evangelist $3.50; of which
he paid $50 into the general treasury, and
pocketed $500 for miscellaneous purposes. p"
When member (interrupting the speaker)
said he had been too liberal to the cause else.
where, and asked how be could live on $500,
Mr.. Carson replied: owe need men of good
sense, who know how to take care of them
selves to live in this country"
This speech was not only full of good bu-
NOR, but was replete with facts and argu.
ments we'll presented.
Mr.. A. R. Blakey thought the RESPONSE
bility of this work rested with the members
of the church as we'll as the ministry. The
people must give of their substance to sup,
port the work and until this is done the
evangeliza alton of the destitute regions would
not be accomplished. He urged that mem
bers of the Synod should, when they went
home stimulate the churches to greater libe
raity.
Mr.. P. F. Howard suggested that this i'm
portant subject called for further discussion
and he hoped it would be resumed after the
order of the day for II M.
Pending this discussion the Synod took
recess for five minutes /; after which the orde
of the day was taken up.
PUBLICATION.
The Rev. E. T. Baird, D. D., Secretary o
Publication, according to appointment ad
dressed the Synod. He said that the caus
of Publication failed to touch the hearts AMI
sympathies of the Church in the manner il
which the causes of Foreign Missions, Sus
tentaton, and Education did. And yet it
Importance to the Church as an agency TO
usefulness, as a part of our great system o
evaDgelization, was no less important thai
any of the others. 1t is not mere matte
of business, as some say; but lit is one OF tn
missionary movements of the Church, who's
purpose is the dissemination of Bible truths
and especially the indoctrination of our yout
in the principles of our faith and order, 8
that We may raise up generation to tax
our places when we shall be known here n
more. WHAT'S now needed is that this wor
should be pressed forward as never before
and that the cause should be put on the basi
it was originally designed to occupy. Tn
capital of $50, 900, which the Assembly orig
inally specified as the minimum amount. hs
not been secured, but lacked over $1,000
of the full amount. Owing to the order c
the Assembly that no money should 60 to tn
business capital unless by special order G
the donors, the endowment had for sewers
years drawn its slow length along with
small an annual increase that the Committe
could project no policy, and for several year
had been able to do nothing to enlarge il
work. This rule the last Assembly repealed
But while all we ask is the small sum orig
nalIy proposed and building, look at th
large capital required by others. The Pre-
byterian Board has capital approachin
half million, and hence is able to do
mighty work.
Now We need capital to accomplish gu
mission. We must furnish facilities for th
INSTRUCTION aud indoctrination of our Chi
dren in our families and Sabbath Schools
Ia this we have done good deal, but nc
enough. We must create a religious litert
ture of our own to meet the wants of our or
ministers, churches, and people. We as
Church have the talents, and the learnin
but the Committee lacks the means. W
must thus become enabled to furnish our CO
porteurs to carry the gospel in that forl
which commends itself to us to our institu
tions--scatteripg books and tracts as leave
of the tree for the healing of the nations
Moreover, we must furnish our ministers an
Christian workers with books, tracts, and ps
bers for general distribution. We have don
something in all these departments. In th
past history of the Committee We have give
circulation to about $500 worth of GU
publications to Sunday Schools and to SUI
ply restitution. This is something, but "
ought to do great deal more.
But we need building. The purchaa
of our house was forced on US as a necessity
and was purchased only after obtaining til
Assembly's authority. The financial crisi
had not begun when the purchase was made
though it began about six weeks afterwards
Thirty-one thousand dollars is yet to b
raised. The property has not deprecated i
value. Richmond has never made any pledg
as to what she will do toward this work, ON
ing to the depressed state of business. A
effort has not yet been made there, but 500
will be, and then, DR.. Baird said, he believe
Richmond would do what she could-woul
do her duty. Nashville had made nobl
subscription of $40, 900 but it was for boo
concern, purpose which the Assembly coul
not entertain, and in point of fact the offs
was not made to the Assembly.
Dr.. Baird said the Committee desired it
work to be fully understood by the Church
and invited the scrutiny of our brethren
You can see anything you want by simpl..
asking to see tour account-books, our cor
respondence, or anything else. At the As
sembly we had all the books and papers ne
cessafy to c1pia;n everything VIC have done
Everything was there but the building, tn
stock, and the stereotype plates, which ar
too heavy to tote. As Committee we hav
done the best we could /; but all of us ar
ready to give place to wiser men. If tn
Church continues US there, We want its con
fidence, its prayers, and its support.
The Committee had commissioned the Rev
Samuel D. Stuart as an agent to prosecute
the endowment; and for him DR.. Baird ask
ed the confidence and cooperation of all tn,
b,okh,on