The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-04-12
FoR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
HARD TIMES ON MISSIONS.

In the midst of the cutlery of hard times
which rises on all sides just now, few
thoughts suggest themselves which may be
useful to Christians who, amidst the wearing
cares of daily life, though loving the gates
of Zion, and desiring her prosperity, fail to
realize the dangers which beset that part of
the Church's work which is removed from
immediate observation, but at the same time
must ever be the test of the spirituality OF
any church or individual.
There is great danger that amidst home
difficulties we should narrow down the world
embracing charity of Christ to the mean,
low standard of the Jews, and grow satisfied
with the idea which does not always dare to
express itself in words even, but is the same
nevertheless, If zoe are saved the wOrld may
be lost What is the effect that these hard
times, which involve retrenchments in many
families, and sad to say, even in many Chris
tan families these retrenchments begin by
Withholding the Lords 1.-THE, are likely to
produce on cur work in foreign lands
Is it possible that the effort can fail to be
disastrous to that work should its further
progress be even temporarily hindered
through want of means to extend it? Many
will answer, we ought to be satisfied if We
can support the missionaries now in the field,
and when the times grow brighter we can
90 on with the work.
Herein We think lies the error into which
many persons fall. 1t is law of nature
that where there is life, there, IS growth.
A ceasing to grow iiAplies decay or death.
1t is impossible that the work should stand
still and wait for better times. 1t must re-
trograde. The workers in almost all our
fields are pressed to the utmost limit Of en-
durance. Owe are leaving out the question
of personal privations, which they share in
common with others, although we all know
that must enter into the question, and in
crease the dlficulty.) In many cases they
have begun work which they expected to be
carried on by recruits from home. This
work is increasing and cannot be sustained
without assistance. No one who has felt
this responsibility and the burden of souls
resting on them can fail to appreciate the
force of remark of Rev. Lyman Beecher.
"The wear and tear of what cannot do, is
great deal more than the wear and tear OF
what | do" And herein lies a new danger.
1t is this very wear and tear that destroys
health and shortens life Our overtasked.
missionaries must succumb, happy if, in such
a case they "rest fro& their labOrs." But
unfortunately wearing out does not always
mean so happy termination. 1t only means
a return home with vital energies hopelessly
depressed, to give new grounds of discourage,
ment to the Church at large, and put new
arguments in the mouths of those who al
ready oppose their friends inthe desire to 60
forward and fill up the broken ranks. To
the honor of the Church be it said, she does
not lack sons and daughters who are willing
to do this; and it is bright spot in the
midst Of much surrounding gloom, which
proves that the Lord has NOT fOrsaken US ut,
terly.
We pray every day that the door may be
opened for the spread Of the gospel. No
one who looks abroad an-fail to see that the
prayer Is answered, and that it stands wide
open. If we shrink backlfrom difficulties,
and refuse to 90 forward and possess the
land, We may expect to receive the sentence
which Israel Of old received, and this prize
almost within our grasp be withheld until a
new generation shall arise who shall follow
the Lord more fully, believing, and acting
out their belief that BY the foolishnesS of
preaching those who believe shall be saved,
and that souls are of infinite value.
No doubt there are difficulties in the way,
which faith and selfdenial alone can conquer.
With many the question arises; Where shall
food and reiment for tomorrow come from
How shall | provide fox this or that want if
I give away even this triae? But there is
that withholdeth, yet tsndeth to poverty
" Bring ye all the tithes into the stOre-hOuse
that there may be meat in mine house, and
prove me now, saith the Lord of hosts, if
will not open you the windows of heaven, and
pour you out blessing, that there shall not
be Yoom enough to receiveit' NAL iii; TO-
Surely if ve Gould lay aside oqr qnbelieging
fears for the morrow, We should bring our
tithe-if only two mites-and cast into the
treasury until there should be enough to