The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-12-12
From the Missionary.
Ministerial Support.

1t is manifesty both the duty and interest of the
Church to see that her ministry is properly sup
ported. Her duty in this regard is based upon the
teachings OF Gods Word, rs we'll as upon those sen
tments of natural justice which belong to the hn-
man heart That her interest is involved is not
merely an inference from these premises, but also
matter of large and varied experience. BY her
failures and successes, the Church has demonstrated
chat she must have ministry whose wants are SO
provided for that they shall be freed from worldly
cares and avocatlons.
These points have been mentioned, not for the
purpose OF proving them. for they are already ad-
mitted facts among US. Our Church has long ago
taken her stand on them, and for several years has
endeavored, through the cooperation OF the Pres
pyteries In one general scheme of Sustentstioa to
see that every so0rking minister In all her borders
is adequately supported. Ii is sad indeed to kooT
how lar short this effort has come of pshine
what was intended, and yet it ls encouraging thai
so much has been and Is being done In this dIrec
zion. 1t Is importanG however, that the mind vi
the Church shall be kept awake on this SUI :et.-
La some congregations all mas been accom- lished
that is needed, but 10 many more the support rem
dered their pastors is tar beneath the needs OF these
men of God, aud also of the ability as well as OF
the piety of the people, We lay 1t down Is an ak
iom that every church or group OF churches which
IS able TO support its minister ad quately Is morally
bound to do so. They ought not to be wiling to
impose the burden of the support OF the gospel
either upon their minister and his family or upon
other churches more benevolent than themselves.
Those who receive the service ought to see that 1t
Is rewarded by such just remuneration a. they,
in the providence of God are able TO give; and
rather than throw the burden Of privatiOp aud DIS.
tress upon their minister, they ought to make sac
rces and su fer prlvation themselves, order that
their minister may DC relieved, and be able to do
the work of the ministry effectively. Some congre-
cations fully understand the business of those obser
vations and act up to them. Many more would do
we'll to give heed thereto They themselves would
greatly proGt thereby, and confer blessing upon
the Church.
But it is true that many of our congregations after
having done their pest, are unable adequately TO
provide for their minister's and unless they receive
help from their stronger sister churches they must
be deprived OF Christian ordinances. here comes
in the minIstratlon of the strong 10 the weak, and
hence arises the necessity OF the effort wbch Is be-
ing made by the Presbytelies and thg'GeneTal AS
sembly through the SustentatioD Fusd, adequate
ly to aid the feeble churches the support Vi the
gospel. There are many hundred such churches
In our bounds. They appeal WITH mute but po-
tent voice TO their stronger sisters for help. Over
FIVE hundred OF them were aided last year, but
more than three hundred others, which have been
altogether destitute OF preaching, need assistance
These are all dependent upon the SGstentatlon
Fund for aid, if they are to joy the ministry OF
Gods Word, and it is only from this fund that
their ministers can receive the supplementary sup
bort needed to enable them to give themselves
wholly to the work to which they have been called
of God and set apart by the Church. We urge our
people, then, e. to do all they can Tor the sup
port of their owe pastors up to the point which Is
needed for the comfortable maintenance of them
selves and families and e. when the time for the
annual collection Tor the SusteDtltion Fond shall
arrive to give as literally as possible, so that our
brethren WHO labor in weak congregations may
have their wants supplied, and that as many such
churches may have the gospel preached to them as
is practicable mitless field OF effort opens here
before the Church. We trust that our Christian
people may show more liberal and constantly
growing appreciation OF it by their gifts for Its cul
tiyatiOn.