The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-05-23

-
was necessity that they should curtail the
amount promised, that isl that, whereas,
formerly the sum Of $500 was, in ordinary |
cases, appropriated to students who were in
the Seminaries, this sum should be reduced |
to SITS; and Just. so, also, IN cases of Col |
lege students, that the sum Of $3.50 should
be the amount promised, instead Of what for
merly was allowed, viz SITS.
These two facts, of course, enabled them
to do their work, and pay what they promised
with greater ease.
Your Committee report this year small
increase in the number of contributing church
es, although, in many cases, the sums con-
tributed have been diminished. The cause
of Education, however, has suffered no more
than others, and, indeed, may be considered
In a condition more hopeful, if not more pos
itively prosperous, now than it has been for
some years past. Your Committee cannot
but believe, (nOw that there is prospect OF
lifting the burden of debt from our shoulders
that if fair opportunity were afforded all
our churches of understanding the nature of
the Assemblys Scheme of Beneficiary Edu-
cation, its claims to support would be more
fsVorably received, and more liberal responses
would be made to its appeals, the beneVolenoe
of the people would be cultivated and in
creased, and "more laborers would be sent
forth by the Lord of Harvest" when His
people would accompany their prayers for
this object by their aims TO furnish the prac-
teal support. The careful perusal, By all
our ministry and eldership of the very able
and exhaustive Report Of the Special Com
mittee On Beneficiary Education, adopted
with entire unanimity by the last Assembly,
and appended to the Minutes, would be a
very profitable source of information upon
the subject, and would supply an irresistible
array of argument for its universal adoption
and support by all Of our churches.
The Secretary visited during the past year
four of the Synods, viz: Missouri, Texas
Memphis, and Georgia. He also presented
the cause of Education to the churches as he
had opportunity, and the reception which he
met with on his mission was uniformly cor
dial, and assurances of support to the cause
were everywhere made. Il is due to the in
terests of truth, and as q testimonial to the
fidelity of our brethren Of the Synod Of
Texas, and their loyalty to the Assembly's
System of BeneYolenoe, to record, for the
information Of the Church at large, and for
the encouragement Of the brethren of Texas
in particular, that s more general presenta-
ton of this cause seems to have been made
by them to their churches, than in almost any
Synod whose Presbyteries cooperate with
the Committee and a larger number of
churches, in proportion TO their aggregate of
churches, have contributed TO this cause than
elsewhere. In this connection it is especial
~ proper to be stated that to the Presbytery
of Brszos belongs the high distinction Of be-
ing the only Pres5ytery IA the territory COZ
cred 5y our Southern Church of which every
church has made a remittance to oar treasury.
Let each minister present the claims and ex-
plain to his people the nature of the Scheme
Of Beneficiary Education let every evange-
list as he travels among vacant churches do
the same; let the ehairmen Of the Presbyte-
rial Committees of Education urge upon all
the churches to take up collections for this
cause, at the proper time; and the record OF
Brazos viii no doubt be made in regard to
them all
The whole amount of funds raised during
the past year, according TO the Treasurer s
report, is SI3,077.99. These funds have
come from churches, individuals, and small
portion from the Lusk Estate Legacy, al
ready reported. Information in regard to
the state Of the work Of Ministerial Eduea-
ton, from all parts Of the field occupied by
our Church in the South, has been sought
from the ehairmen of Presbyterial Commit
tees, but it has been furnished in q manner
so meagre as to admit of only an apprOxima-
ton to correct statement. The number Of
candidates reported by the Presbyteries that
have made response is not fully known; and
the amounts raised, besides that which were
sent to the Committee are also unknown
The prospect for an increase Of students for
the ministry is very discOuraging.
Il has been the studied policy Of this Com
mittee to conduct the business of Education
entrusted to them with the least possible ex-
pense. The salaries of Secretary and Treas
urer, travelling expenses, printing and distri-
button of annual reports, postage, revenue
stamps, etc, constitute the items which did
not reach last year the sum of 81 600, We
pay no rent, but the officers furnish their own
rooms. Economy in the management of
trust funds, has been rigidly enforced.
The Committee would close this report By
asking the Assembly to recommend to all our
churches the earnest and deyout observance
of the last Thursday Of February, as day
of prayer, for the youth Of our Church, and
our country, and for Gods blessing upon
this cause.
Respectfully submitted, by order of the
Committee, JOHN N. WADDEL,
Secretary.
So. q, ,,.,,. NT,.+ oP 81, ,b;lI-o,