The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-05-26
HOME MISSIONS.

HOME MISSIONS.
ABSTRACT of the annual Report Of the
Committee of Home Missions, presented
to the General assembly convened at
Charleston, s. c., Mag 10Th, 1880.
In presenting statement of the pro-
gress of the work entrusted to their care
during the past year, it is the privilege of
the Executive Committee of Home Mis-
sions to congratulate the General Assem-
bly, that there has been some improve
ment in each particular branch of labor
embraced in this department. Alto
gether, while what was hoped for and
attempted has not been realized, yet,
there is reason for devout gratitude that
so much has been accomplished, and that
the outlook for the future is hopeful
COLLECTIONS.
In the matter of the number of collec-
tons the improvement over last year is
manifest. One thousand and lightweight
churches have made collections for Sus-
tentation, an increase of 40; 795 for the
Evangelistic Fund, an increase of 100;
979 for the Invalid Fund, an increase
of LA. This gain has been general
throughout the Church, but particularly
large in the Presbyteries of Atlanta,
Arkansas, Florida, Central Mississippi,
Tombeckbee, and Lafayette, which also
show very large increase in the amounts
contributed by their churches In the
Presbytery of Winchester every church
contributed to Sustentation and Evange-
listic work, and all buttwo to the Invalid
Fund. In the Presbyteries of Florida
h
and in Maryland all but one to Evan
gelistic work and the Invalid Fund. II
West Hanover, all but two contributed
to Sustentation, and in Arkansas and
Lexington, all but three.
One hundred and twelve Sabbath
Schools % more than last year. contrib
uied $761.36, and thirty-three Ladies'
Societies, 10 more than last year, con-
tributed $586.75 to Sustentation.
FINANCE.
The total receipts for all the funds in
this department have been $44, 912.51,
which is $6,274.56 more than last year
.SttSte1atation.-The receipts from all
sources have been $19, 25043 which is
S2,5699l more than last year. and as the
receipts from miscellaneous sources have
been rather smaller than last year, this
gain is entirely from the churches. With
out exception the churches of every Synod
have increased in the amount of their con-
tributions.
The total payments to Presbyteries
have been SIT ,630.41 which is 50, 938. Is
more than last year. The balance on
hand on March 31st was $240.22, which
is very small in view of the large pay
ments to be made in October, but it is
hoped that with the increased interest
awakened, receipts during the present
year will be large enough to carry for
ward the current work and to provide
for this deficiency.
EvQngelistic Fund Receipts have
been $843878, an increase of $l,44O. 90.
The balance in hand on March 3lst was
$1,72806.
CoLored EUamgehstie FHnd.-The re-
ceipts from all sources have been S347 .33.
and the payments 1860; and $612. 81 have
been paid out of the Sustentation Fund
on account of this branch of work.
InUaBd Fttnd-This Fund has in
creased $1.87l.55, having reached $lO,-
253O2; but it is still insufficient to meet
the wants of the Presbyteries, and the
balance against the Fund has slightly in
creased, being on March 31st, S1,972 26.
The receipts during April have, however,
been very good, and this balance will be
considerably diminished before July ;
when another Invalid year begins.
Relief F5ud.-An investmentin "a 900
Of stocks has been made during the past
year, which brings up the securities own
ed by this Fund to $34 900, descriptive
list Of which is attached to the Treasurer
Report. Annuities have been paid dur.
ing the year amounting to $4,000 There
was balance against this Fund on March
DIST Of S66O.95, which has already been
much reduced by receipts from interests
due in April and May.
Coonchts'on8.-It is evident from this
pref summary Of figures that while there
y reason Tor encouragement in the re-