The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-03-03
What Need is there of the Publication
Enterprise?
RICHMOND, VA, March l, !

RICHMOND, Va, March l, 1880
The question is asked honestly by some,
and the doubt implied hinders the full
and hearty support needed to make the
work efficient
lst. Our Church needs it because it
cannot afford to commit the preparation
of its Sabbath School literature lessons.
etc.,-to other hands We must teach
Gods truth as We understand it. The
necessity of guarding the instruction of
the Sabbath School is only second in i'm
portance TO the protection of the pulpit
against erroneous doctrine. Nothing can
so impress the absolute need of this agency
as familiar acquaintance with the mass
OF Sabbath School literature, much of it
unsound in doctrine, that is bidding for
patronage in every corner of the land.
Ind. Our Church needs the power of
the press. Every Church-every ism
known to the time-uses this power dill
gently and persistently The press speaks
oftener and to larger audience than the
pulpit. Shall it speak in the name of the
Presbyterian Church, or shall it be silent?
Shall the Church use, or neglect, power
which becomes every year more efficient
for good or for evil? As a Church we
have unquestionably work to do in the
preparation and publication of a sound
religious literature Shall we do it? Or
IN others words, shall we have Publ
cation enterprise?
Sd. We must fight error with the weap-
ons it most affects The land is full of
broad Church, ritualistic, rationalistic. in
tidel, and licentious literature. Has our
Church no mission here? Shall it con-
tent itself with exorcisms from the sacred
desk against these spirits of evil, or shall
1t provide and distribute wholesome lit
erature rich In the truth of the blessed
gospel? Let us not excuse ourselves bv
saying that others have done and are do
ing all that is needful, and that we can
enter into their labors There is q field
we only can reach and a constituency
to which, and for which, we are responsi-
bic. We must shield and save oatr oaO,a
from the baleful agencies now so active.
And we can do it. most effectively in this
way.
4th. The missionary feature of the Pub
llcation work is greatly needed in our
Church. Feeble churches, missionary
fields, and struggling Sabbath Schools.
greatly need the help, which for three
years past we have been compelled to
refuse Our Evangelists, as they 90 from
one weak church to another should be
able to cater the leaves of life broad
cast among destitute people. The col
portage work should be everywhere re-
vived. Every minister in the Church
should have it in his power to use this
agency.
The work is important; it is urgent
it is a necessity
We ask, with the chairman of one of
our Presbyterial committees:
Who of us can be content that our
beloved Church should be doing nothing
at such time as this-sh6uld stand idle,
because helpless, while the devil is using
the mighty power of the press to crush
her enterprises, to invade her own house
holds, to ensnare her people, to pour con
tempt upon her Lord"
This great enterprise has been lying al
most dormant during three years past, ex-
cept as to its Sabbath School literature.
The question for our churches to answer at
the collection next Sabbath is, Shall it
not now be revived? Can we afford
longer to delay2 H.