The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-08-25
For the Central Presbyterian.
The Little Churches.

Doubtless, this is the most thrilling
epoch Of human history. Never before
were such signal blessings bestowed upon
man. The great disposer of events seems
to have chosen this continent as the the
atre of boundless benefcence, as if to
convince the whole world not only that
he exists, but that the gifts of His prov
idence are becoming Unreasonable as the
riches of his grace. A cornucopia If
spiritual, intellectual, and material treas
ure has been showered upon u.s. Com
pairing our advantages with those of by
gone generations, and looking into the
proximate future, we see the signs of
looming events" that will change the
present aspect of things. Christianity
will reach higher vantage ground. The
mighty heart throbs of nation of men,
free-born, in every sense of the word, will
send their pulsations eventually through
the benighted regions of the earth. They
who are imprisoned in the cocoon of old
superstitions will emerge from their mys-
tic beliefs, and winged with the percep-
tions of divine truth, find out this world
is greater, wider, and more beautiful than
they had ever conceived intoned with
warmer humanity, strung with frmer
faith; giving forth vibrations of loftier
service of work and praise, than had
ever entered their apprehension or crept
into their dreams.
What a blessing is peace, and with it
the civil and religious freedom we now
enjoy.
The unity, and married calm of States"
j
through centuries of war Common graf
itude should teach us to give portion to
others out of our abundance. At such an
opportune time does it not seem as if
great responsibility rested upon those
who are very rich in this worlds goods,
in prompting them to bestow larger APP
preparations to the cause of Christ. 1t
is the spread of the gospel that will bring
lasting peace and liberty to the nations.
But our own country has the first claims
upon our hearts. And surely, where is
piety to be found purer than in the little
country churches, feeble in means, but
rich in faith, and earnest in purpose.
What must be the feelings of the great
Head of the Church, when he finds so
many millions of money in our cities
squdnueIeu III Iue primrose paCnS OF
dalliance," and the cry of little country
church for help is unheeded. If the
spirit of Peabody and Lennox was to
pervade our rich men, now soon would
the wilderness and the solitary place be
made glad, for them the desert rejoice
and blossom as the rose, little churches
be planted wherever there were little
lambs of the flock to be gathered in,
where there was found sin-stricken but
immortal soul to be saved. Christ said
Occupy till come, and the Christian
Church of these United States should see
to it that our Home Mission work should
be prosecuted with vigilance and en-
ergy, with self-sacrifcing devotion of
life and means, that will secure this
country and its people, and oar chill
DREN, from the old human religions
hoary with superstition, subtilty of de-
vice, and abject, soul sinking idolatries
by building up the aVa8te places, till Pro-
testant spires are seen pointing to heaven
in every part of our land. A. S.