The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1878-05-29

stances, and in view of the fact that bank:
/ ruptcy threatened the whole enterprise, il
was thought best to continue Mr.. Sillimsn in
the field. He has prosecuted his work until
, the present time, with degree of success
that must be regarded as very satisfactory
when we consider the financial condition Of
the country.
The Committee await the instructions of
the General Assembly as to the further pros
ecution of the agency, but venture to sug-
gest that it is of vast Importance that the
Publication work be wholly extricated from
its weight of debt at the earliest moment
possible; and to accomplish this some spe.
cial means are necessary. The total amount
of cash collections, notes and subscriptions,
reported to April 1st, from this agency is
| $74237 rs, nearly one-half of this being cash.
1t is deemed proper to say, that Mr.. s. H.
Hawes, who was appointed by the last Cen
eral Assembly member of the Executive
Committee, declined to accept the position;
the Committee therefore appointed in his
place Mr.. Charles D. Hill, Ruling Elder of
| Grace Street Cnurcn, hlcnmonu.
THE Work BEFORE Us.
1t is imperative that we complete the pay
ment sf the debt at the earliest practicable
moment. 1t is hoped that we shall be able
in the course of the coming ecclesiastical year
to realize on all our available assets, and the
proceeds will be applied to the payment Of
the debt 30 far as they will suffice. If the
General Assembly shall authorize the prose.
cution Of the agency already in operation,
there should be enough raised to complete
the work by the next March collection, so
that the amount then raised can be applied
to the prosecution of the benevolent work of
the Committee, viz: The supply of destitute
fields of labor with Sabbath School and other
Christian literature.
There are three most important spheres Of
effort that seem to properly belong to the
Publication work, apart from the publication
of books and their distribution.
FIRST, THE SABBATH SCHOOL Work.
The preparation of suitable papers for the
aid of our teachers and scholars in the pros
ecution of Bible study should receive the
most careful attention. We cannot afford as
a Church to delegate this work to any other
| denomination, or to any independent pub
fishing house. We can unite with all other
evangelical Christians in using the same Bi-
BILE lesson, but the method of teaching those
lessons we must choose and direct for our
selves.
SECOND, CoLpoRTAGE.
1t should be our purpose not merely to in
augurate this work thoroughly, but to prose-
cute it diligently, and see to it that our
whole field is thoroug ghly canvassed as often as
once in three years. The value of this work
thus vigorously prosecuted cannot be estma-
ted. Its power would be felt in staying the
tide of vicious literature now pouring over
the land, upholding the ministry of the Word.
and confirming our people in the doctrines of
the gospel of Christ.
THIRD, BENEVOLENT Work,
In supplying destitute Sabbath Schools and
Churches.
This has always been recognized as most
| important feature OF the Publication Cater
prise, and it is greatly to be regretted that
this work should have been in any measure
suspended.
The calls for help from mission Sabbath
Schools and from feeble churches are con-
slant and urgent. There might be far more
distributed pro6tably in response to these
calls than has ever been given by the Church
for this purpose.
We cannot afford as Church to leave the
needy fields to be cared for by others
Others are ready to take up the work that
we neglect, and they will reap the fruits Of it.
In most cases this form of bsnevolence is
simply putting the means of mission work in
the hands of those in the mission field whose
hearts are moved to labor for Christ. 1t is
therefore one of the most effective methods
of home mission work.
| With such work as this upon our hands,
and with these important lines of Christian
labor inviting our effort, we are hampered,
not only by the burden of debt resulting from
the diasters of the past, but in some degree
by the want of full measure of confidence
on the part of our people.
That there should be distrust and suspi-
cion in the minds of some, under the circum-
stances, is not strange; that this should re-
suit in lack of hearty cooperation, and
Withholding Of pecuniary help on the part of
many. was to be feared; but must this con-
tinue? Shall not the Church rather, as with
one mind, lay aside all distrust and doubt,
and re.establish this important enterprise
upon firm foundation?
With the blessing of the Great Head of
the Church this is possible, and the future of
the Publication work may be greatly fruitful,
in the growth of the Church, and in blessing
to the souls of men
In behalf of the Executive Committee,
JAMES K. HAZEN,
iSecyetarN