The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-09-29

are doing our best for him." you say.
Yes, that is what have often heard.
And do not mean to contradict you at
all. But let me tell you of great deal
of talk which have heard from some
good people, not you of course The
whole may be illustrated thus: Times
are hard, and Rev. Mr.. A. has found it
out, not only in practical evidences, but
in the much talk of hard times" in his
congregation. He cannot meet expenses.
Credit is freely offered him. But as he
has only one source of income-the sup
port from his church-and as in devoting
himself solely to the gospel, he is cut off
from all other ways of making money
and again, as he wants to be an honest
man, and knows that if he gets things on
credit he will make debts he can never
pay, what is he to do? Serious question
Well he resolves to speak to his elders
and deacons about the trouble. One
after another he interviews. Each one
expresses sympathy and regret; but best
to mend matters. So elders B and G
talk the subject over, and both agree,
something must be done" Deacons D
and b confer together also. Result: 1--WE
must have meeting: state the case to
the people; revise our subscription list,
and set this thing right" Each item of
the resolve is carried out to the letter, as
far as talking could do it. But the last
item: Set this thing right" is laid on
the table" Months roll by, and Rev.
Mr.. A. finds himselfin sore straits. Once
more he interviews the brethren. "The
salary is in arrears" Unanimously re-
solved that it ought not to be So"
Meeting called. Papers read, stating the
case. Speeches. Resolutions. action,
laid unde'' "the table," Other months
pass, and nothing is done. Rev. Mr.. A,
troubled and mortified that he has now
to beg for help, says to one of the breth-
rem: "Since it seems so hard to raise
money, and keep up the salary-insuffi-
Gent as it is-will you not suggest to the
brethren plan of this kind: Let each
one send me articles such as I have to
buy. The farmers night send me wood,
each a load, and other articles. The
merchant might send me some bleached
cotton, or anything he chooses, and so on.
If each will give little, no one will feel
what he gives, while the aggregate will
amount to much with me. You see what
| mean?' Yes, yes !" Says brother G,
" and it is good idea. III go right
straight and work it up" The good man
means to do so. His enthusiasm makes
him feel comfortable. But, alas all
oozes out in talk Nothing is done
Talk Talk Talk Mr.. Editor, print
it in big letters, a whole page of it! This
is the way in which Rev. Mr.. AS church
supports him. But never mind brother
a. If you endure it all in a Christian
spirit, and do your duty no matter how
others act, you shall have your reward.
When you die, you will no more be trou-
bled about feeding and clothing your
family, and educating your children. So
endure patiently. It will all be right
when you die Those who preach the
gospel, must live on the gospel. Is it not
blessed food? [ cannot keep my thoughts
from John iii H. But perhaps it does
not mean ministers Moreover I heard
brother x, say once: off ministers are
supported too we'll, they will get proud.
Very likely. Yet not very likely that
many will get too proud. Rev. Mr.. A.
stands in no danger His people talk
very much. Buta talking does not sup
port minister and his family, brother
A will not get proud. Well, it is so easy
to talk, and so inconvenient to put the
talk into actions, that is the trouble no
doubt. Talking eases conscience; makes
one fell good; is one step towards duty.
But just there, energy gives out. Pre-
paration for action so exhausts the takers
that they overestimate the practical value
of their words, resolutions, etc. Now it
seems to me, that if 1 were to hear less
talking and see more of the actions which
"speak louder than words" I would
change my name, and ministers would
get along better Besides this, many pas
torless, weak churches, would no longer
be spoken of as vacant"