The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-05-05
For the Central Presbyterian.
The Duty and the Work of
Missions.

ulate its faith and the deliverances of it's
Church courts, the fundamental and par
amount obligation imposed by our blessed
Master in his command, eco We into all
the world and preach the gospel to every
creature. 1t is always pertinent and
vital enquiry, whether the Church en-
ploys its means and resources to perform
this solemn duty in the most effective
manner. We are convinced, by an obser-
walton of thirty-fve years, that our Church
in Virginia (the like condition doubtless
existing in other States) does not employ
its means, in the field of Domestic Mis-
sions, as effectively as it might and should.
Let the facts speak.
L. There are dozen or more cities and
towns in Virginia, in which from one to
four of the most gifted and able ministers
expend their energies in preaching three
sermons week to their respective focks.
There are destitute fields lying around
most of these centres, in which are preach
ing stations within rapid and easy reach
of these ministers Now, Presbyteries
meet and mourn over these destitutions,
and debate how to supply them. Schemes
for supporting evangelists are tried, and
fail for lack of money; then, plans are
framed for furnishing Presbyterian preach
ing once or twice year to such localities,
which are feebly and irregularly executed.
Can the Church conscientiously affirm
that this is all which lies in its power to
do? We trow not What then? We
answer, let those favored focks, which
are feasting on a surfeit of church priv
ileges learn and practice the plain Chris
tan duty of sharing their spiritual goods
with their destitute neighbors. To do
this, will produce important benefits; it
will not only diffuse and spread the COS
pei, but it will help the pastor and people
in its resulting influences.
2. 1t is asked, what practical plan do
you offer? We reply, require each of
these ministers to spend one Sunday in
every month in missionary preaching.
We are not unfamiliar with the stereo-
typed objections ready to be hurled at
this proposition. None of them can be
maintained, if subjected to the crucible of
the law and the testimony" Imprimis,
can any congregation Of three to five hun
dred souls lay claim, in the spirit of the
gospel, to the entire time and talents of
an able minister? Where is their love
for Christ and for their fellow men, If
they enforce this clause when the Mace
donian cry comes ringing in their ears
from neighboring destitutionsl 1t tends
to dry the very fountains of Christian be-
nevolence to permit congregations to be
pampered by such surfeit of ministra-
tons, while the souls of their neighbors,
hungry for gospel truth, are starving for
lack of supply. Can our Church claim
to live up to this missionary duty, when
it is not only permitting but sanctioning
this condition of things? We do not un-
dervalue the great need of settled pastors
to build up and edify congregations, nor
do we fail to appreciate the piety and
good works found in city and town
churches. But we insist, that it should
inhere in the organic law of the Church
and be enforced in It's constant workings,
that no minister belongs to any congrega-
ton but that part OF his time shall be
devoted to missionary labors One of the
most eminent and experienced ministers
of our Southern Church assured us, that
he regarded it as a pernicious feature in
the constitution of the pastoral relation,
that it was not nominated in the bond
that at least one-fourth of the pastors
time should be free to be spent in mis-
sionary work
Now it is commonly urged in objection
that the settled pastor can not leave his
flock and shut up his church, even for
week, without serious injury to its work
ing plans of benevolence finance, and
other economies. We answer, no plans
OF administration are conformed to Cos
pei teaching and spirit, which can only
be maintained at the sacrifice Of Christian
duty. Our Lord tells US plainly, that if
we labor for the help and refreshment oil
others we shall ourselves be watered
Infuse genuine missionary spirit and
activity in any congregation, and they
will not fail to provide for their own tenn
poralities. Many hurtful influences at
tend the present condition Of things. 1t
tends to make the congregations self-in-
dulgent and illiberal. 1t induces a NOR
bid type Of Christianity Congregations
do not relish the gospel unless preached
by their own Apollos or Cephas. It is
a felt privation to worship anywhere but
in their own conventicle Evangelical
churches are accessible within five min
utes walk but they are inconsolable for
the absence Of their own dear man.
Their pastors, aware Of this, submit re-
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