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

Both departments of our mission work
have their special friends and advocates, and
he only stands in a right position who is
friend and advocate Of both. But it may be
question as to whether we should be par
tial to one above the other. The heathen
can never have the gospel unless we send it
to them, or unless some one else does So
And certainly the duty is as much before us,
as before others. Now it is matter of grave
Importance which comes before US in the Or
dsring of this work. How can We best dis
charge our duty? Any attempt to answer
such a question is too often looked upon as
suggestive Of conflict in the two lines Of
duty. This is wrong. There is and should
be no conflict at all. Oar aim should be to
act in such a way as to secure the greatest
and most permanent good. How then shall
we do this We must sustain both branches
Of the work Yesho#? Certainly rot by.
giving all our money to one rather than d
zRRlspHy gigiDg to bOtt m such proper
" nay seen best. Look now at the re-
BORT Of our Secretaries, before the Assembly,
for the year ending April 1st, 1877. The
facts brought out in the report on Foreign
Missions are as follows:
1. By death and i'll health, We have lost
the service of four members Of our working
force.
2. Notwithstanding this, and the necessity
of financial restrictions, and also that no ad-
ditions have been made to our workers for
the last two years, "nOne of our missions
have been discontinued on this account, whilst
most of them have been carried on without
any apparent diminution of energy" Also
the debt Of the Foreign Missionary Commit
tee has been reduced to S4,826.27, which
can now, in the general acceptation of the
term, scarcely be regarded as a debt, as this
amount is liable to be found on one or the
other side of the account at the close of every
year.
3. Receipts from sll sources S55, 121.15.
Ofthis amount $38, 697 81 cameron church
es and individuals; SO, 625.78 came from
Ladies Missionary Societies, and S6,798.O6
came from Sabbath Schools. This shows
falling off from last year, in the aggregate, of
$6,152.12.
4. While falling away in contributions
is reported from the churches, an increase
from Ladies' Missionary Associations and
Sabbath Schools, is reported. What is the
matter with the churches? We shall see.
Z. The number of churches contributing is
given, 1858, less by sc than contributed last
gear, and showing that there are 766 church
es which contributed nothing.
6. But the number of Ladies Societies
which contributed is 172, being as increase
of GA from last gear. And 262 Sabbath
Schools contributed, being failing off Of s
from last year. What is the matter with the
churches and Sabbath Schools
Before taking up the question, let it De
now noticed that Notwithstanding all that is
thus unfavorable: a. The loss Of four work
ers; o. Financial restrictions; g. No ad-
ditiOn of workers; a. The falling of of con-
tributiOns from churches and Sabbath Schools,
yet no missions have been discontinued, and
most of them hare been carried on as usual.
In addition to this, the debt is reduced to
g no debt at all almost. Now this shows
cOnciusively that the work Of Foreign Mis-
siOns has not suffered, to say the least, within
the past year. Such great advance as we
desire, in the increase of workers and stations
has not been made. But we have held
yea, more than held our own against all odds.
It is a matter for deVOus thanksgiving and
encouragement. But can the same be said
Of the other branch of this work, Home Mis-
sions This is reserved for another article.