The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-11-12
sUsTENTATION.
Action of the Synod of Virginia.

"
ment will be best fitted to deepen the In
terest of our churches in the cause Of Sus-
tentahon, and secure to it larger contrl-
buttons, beg leave to report
l. That there does not seem to be a ne
cessity for any change in the rules already
in force, to secure collections for this OBJ
iect Under these regulations there has
been. since their adoption by the Synod
in 1874, pretty steady though not rapid
advance, throughout the whole range Of
objects included in our Systematic Be
nefcenoe scheme, and notably so as re-
spects Sustentation. Generally there has
been an advance from 81 per cent. to II
per cent. of all the collections required;
and with respect to SUstentation, from
724 per cent. to So per cent. When it is
remembered that throughout this period
there was a constantly increasing scarcity
of money, the advancement realized be-
comes doubly encouraging One of the
Presbytemes has advanced, under these
rules, with respect to Sustentation, from
.SS4 per cent. as reported in 1875, to 100
per cent. T. e., a collection from every one
of its thirty-three churches. This same
Presbytery took up last year 973 per
cent. of all the collections required
Now, what this Presbytery has done all
the others can do. They are advancing
in that direction, and it is evident that
it needs but the continued and watchful
endeavors of the Presbyteries in enforc-
ing the requirements Of the Synod, to
bring us soon to the gratifying position,
Of realizing collection for Sustentation
every year from every congregation
throughout the Synod. This would Of
itself increase the Sustentation collection
more than 10 per cent.
2. What is needful however, is not
merely a contribution from every church.
Much depends as to the results Of the col
lections, upon the method of taking them
up, and upon the thoroughness with which
any method is carried out. Different
methods suit different places and circum-
stances. But-and this point should be
strongly emphasized-eyery pastor and
Session should study to have the method
that is in use, whatever it may be, so APP
piled as to afford every one an opportu-
nifty to contribute, and so as to draw out
the full strength of the congregation.
8. But however perfect the rules in re-
gard to collections may be, and however
careful the application of them, we must
still fall short of the ends aimed at with
out the following conditions: LIST. Reli-
gion must be in a warm and lively state.
The Church must be full of the love OF
God. Christians must be brought fully
under the power of the gospel. Unless,
therefore, there be a wide spread revival
of religion, we cannot reasonably look for
the increased interest in this subject nor
for the enlarged contributions desired.
I'd. But even a lively piety and sincere
love for the cause of Christ may exist, and
vet contributions continue unsatisfactory.
We should not expect even the warmest
hearted Christian to give freely to a cause
the nature and wants of which he does
not understand. The people therefore
must be instructed in regard to the prin-
ciples and facts involved. The nature
and exigencies of the SustentatOn work
need to be from time to time clearly and
fully explained to them. In this con-
nexion it would be WELL and the happiest
results might be expected to follow from
it, if a clear exposition, and close and
practicable application to the matter IN
hand were given of l Cor. xii: 1921,
"That there may be no schism in the
body; but that the members should have
the same care, one for another. And
whether one member suffer, all the mem
bers suffer with it or one member be
honored, all the members rejoice with it.
N01o ne are the 6OQy of Christ, and eUery
one members IN particular" The Church
needs to have an intelligent and lively
feeling of this bond Of union, as binding
together all parts of the Church in bonds
of sympathetic Christian love- and all to
Christ. the beloved and adorable Head.
When this bond of union becomes duly
felt. and the necessities of our weak and
suffering churches are clearly set before
Gods people, they Will freely pour their
gifts into the Lords treasury, to the full
measure of their ability as the Lord hath
prospered them. They viii literally "8ut-
fer with" their poor and suffering breth-
rem, by seZEde,ging gifts to relieve their
wants: and much more, in order to obvi-
ate dishonor to, and to promote the glory
of, the great Head.
Let Christian be revived, therefore, by
the Holy Ghost shed forth powerfully on
their hearts; let the people be fully In
structed; and let their contributions be
duly solicited and all the ends desired
will be fully realised.
With a full sense and acknowledgment
therefore, of our dependence for success
in all this upon the gracious influences Of