The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-06-06
SUsTENTATI0N.

The Standing Committee on Sustentailon most
respectfully submit to the General Assembly the
following report:
Having carefully examined the report Of the Sec
retares of Sustentaton with the accompanying pa
pers, including the minutes Of the Executive Com
mittee the accounts of expenditures, ETC., we have
the pleasure to say, not only that we mud them all
correct but they eyinoe the most commensurate
fidelity and discretion on the part of the Committee
in the management Of the important interests com
mitted to their care
This agency of the Church appeals especially to
our prayerful regard and liberal support IN the tact
that it embraces as many as five distinct depart
nents of our work, namely, the assistance OF feeoe
churches In the support OF their mlnisters-the
maintenance of missionaries and evangests, and
the promotion of the work of Church extension
giving the gospel to the large colored population
which Providence has placed within our bounds
providing for the support OF aged and indrLn MINIS
ters-aud finally the establishment OF Relief Fund
for the benefit Of the families Of deceased ministers.
All Of these objects are intimately related to our
life as a Church, and Te are happy to know that
they are all very dear to the heart Of our people,
Tic Assembly rally recognizes the right Of tho
Presbyteres and it freely acCOrds to them the priv
ieee Of 6isohargng their duty IN the great work OF
Sustentation in whatever way may seem unto them
best. Yet, it cannot but regard with deep sollcl-
tude the fact that any Of them, and especially,
some of the Oldest and strongest Of hem are not in
full cooperation with the Assembly, plan. After
years of practical and successful operation, we have
the pleasure to say that this plan founded IN the
prayers and wisdom of the Church at large cannot
be regarded as an experiment, but hundreds OF our
feeble churches rescued by it from utter extinction
now attest in their increasing usefulness and pros
periiy, the wisdom and necessity Of such scheme
But, under God our success IN this great depart
ment cf our work is largely dependent on the hearty
oo.operaton OF all our Presbyteres; and We fJndly
hope that those who have adopted different
method, By which they are oonf1iug their work
principally OF entirely to their own peculiar fields
nav soon give their support TO the Assembly plan
by their hearty and thorough cooperation.
Notwithstanding the monetary striDgeuoy which
has prevailed throughout the land 1t is gratifying to
observe that there has been no greater decrease 10
the collections for each of these objects during che
last wear. And though there has been q marked
decline 10 the collections from the churches for the
Invalid Fund the contributions from miscellaneous
sources have supplied the deficiency so that the
amount received is the same as IN the last report
But, nevertheless the sad fact remains, according
to she statement of the Committee, that "a very
large portion of all the churches have failed to CON
tribute to any branch of the home work. Perhaps
one third have failed in the support OF Sustenta'
ton full one half have given nothing TO the Evan
eeistio Work either in general or Presbyterian
aud more than one half have not contributed to the
Invalid Fund. In view Of the great Importance
and pressing needs of these various Objects the As
sembly would repeat the solemn counsel and To-
functions of former Assemblies, on this subject and
would layit on the oonscenCes of our people to con-
tribute to the support OF these Objects as the Lord
NAV prosper them. And, 10 the hope OF awaken.
ing deeper interest in the cause of Sustentstion
and of melting all to greater hberahy 10 It's sup
mort. the Assembly would direct the special atten-
zion of Presbyteries and Sessions, and through them
the attention of the Church at large, to the follow
ing significant facts contained 10 the report OF the
Executive Committee:
/ A large proportion Of our ministry, almost if
not quite two. thirds Of them wholly engaged 10 the
work of the Church, are living on very inadequate
salaries and must, in many cases, have their etd'
oiency materially interfeed with on this account
2 Il large number OF our mluistors, amounting
perhaps to two hundred do not appear to be en-
gagged 10 sry fruitful ministerial work at ALL or if
al all so irregularly that they arc not reported
Ard this must be due in great measure to the want
Of support
8 There are over oue-half, probably two thirds
of all our churches, when grouped into pastoral
charges, which are unable without assistance to
support the stated ministry.
4 Perhaps more than tour hundred churches
are Sc present vacant because Jney cannoV receive
aid in snpoort of the ministry. These simple facts
together with the further fact that Isl organized
ohnrcbes have no house of worship, 90'Of which
ave suffering for the want of them, show at once
how much is needed to be done, aud how impera-
tive is the duty resting on those who can help In
this work. :
The Assembly recognizes with pleasure and
Thanksgiving the zeal and libersity Of the Ladies
Societies ard Sabbath Schools in the support OF
The various objects of the Church, and would COM
mend this cause to them for a pIoportloDate part
of their contributions. -.
The reported progress in the Colored Evaugelis |
tic Work is highly gratifying. And, feeling very
deem interest and peculiar responsibility in this
work. the Assembly would call on all our people to
gnstan Il By their personal efforts, their contrbu
tious and their prayers. -,
Owing to the increasing demand on the Invalid
Fund-the great deo!ne in the collections from the
churches for this object during the past year. and
She great obligation we are Under thus to minister
Ia those upon whom its aid is so Worthiiy bestowed,
the hope is entertained that it is only necessary to
emphasize this part Of the Report and thus TO Oh
rect especial attention TO 1t.
Ia regard to the Relief Fund, your committee
you'd make no additional recommendation, and
you'd hope that as the scheme is better understood
,nd It's benefits are more fully appreciated 1t may
gain 10 favor throughout the Church.
We recommend the adoption OF the following
resolutions: