The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28

Ibis table shows that tour Pre6Dyterle6
have made more or less advance in the pro-
portion of collections taken up, Of the whole
number required, viz: Winchester, (which
has shown the greatest Improvement Alb.
ingdon, (also large Chesapeake, and Green
brier-the last named very slight.
Four Presbyteries have fallen off in this
respect, viz. East Hanover, the most, West
Hanover, Lexington, and Roanoke, while
Montgomery has been stationary.
The following Presbyteries show an in
creased number of churches that have taken
up all Six of the collections, viz Winches-
ter, Lexington, and Abingdon, six each, and
Chesapeake an increase of one. East Han
over, Montgomery, Roanoke, and West Han
over exhibit decline in this respect. Green
brier has been stationary
1t would seem from this, that some COM
paratively strong churches, and such as have
regular services, have retrograded in the
matter of regular giving to the schemes Of
the Church. Because the stronger churches,
and such as enjoy regular preaching, are, as
general rule, those which give to all six
causes.
OF the 277 churches of the Synod, 156
gave to all six objects, 80 to five Of them,
l9 to four of them, 19 to three of them, IA
to two of them, 13 to one of them, and 26 to
none. A considerable majority, it thus ap-
pears, of the churches of the Synod have
contributed to all six objects; and nearly
all of those churches which have contributed
to none, or to but one or two objects, are
uacant, and generally very weak. But if the
example of the poor widow who gave her
"two mites, were followed by our very
weakest dpoorest congregations, they would
receive like commendation nor should we
cease to remind the sessions, and occasional
Supplies sent to our vacant churches, of their
duties in the premises, till all come up regu.
larly, year by year, to the help of the Lord,
in this warfare for the furtherance of the
Redeemer's kingdom.
The above table shows also that the ad-
vance made by the Synod, as whole, during
the year, has been exceedingly small. This
fact, together with the fact that in so many
Presbyteries there has been falling off to
5Om6 eAt0ut, onOuiu uuuuio 10. IL 10 uOV VI
the amount contributed that we now speak.
If in the stringency of the times there had
been decrease in this respect, it would have
been neither surprising nor discouraging.-
But the reference is to the number of collec-
tions made. Hard times and scarcity of
money, so far from justifying the omission
of collections, rather call for them the
more urgently from every church. Because
when few or none can give largely,.is is the
more important that all, even the very weak,
should lend their aid, according to their abil-
ity, that the work of the Church be not him
dered.
The regulations now in force, having re
ceived the sanction of three successive Assem-
blies, and in like manner of this Synod, in
it's last three meetings, may be regarded as
indicating the settled purpose of the Church
in this respect. The progress hitherto has
not been rapid, much slower indeed than
might perhaps have reasonably been antici.
pated. But there has been progress, which
continued and faithful application of these
rules by the Presbyteries, will soon make
both more rapid and steadier advance.
1t is proper to put upon record in this pa
per, the aggregate amounts contributed by
the several Presbyteries, compared with what
was given the previous year. The following
table gives these items.