The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-03-03
For the Central Presbyterian.
Evangelistic Labor in the Synod of
Virginia.

Virginia.
MeSSrS Editors, = This subject is
brought before Synod annually by a Per-
nla11e,1t Committee, of which the Rev. A.
G. Hopkins is chairman The report to
the last Synod is specially valuable.
After giving the state of the work some
what in detail, in the several Presbyte-
ries, it says; " Tile field remains good
deal as it has been for several years.
Presbyteries have generally advanced and
organized number of congregations, but
In each one there is more room for
extent been made. The spirit of evange-
lization which carries the gospel to the
poor, and compels men from the highways
and hedges to hear the glad tidings OF
great JOY, seems to be growing stronger
and taking deeper root" Twelve new
churches were organized in the Synod
during the year, and a larger number OF
churches contributed to the Evangelistic
Fund than ever before.
Methods Presbyteries have fallen upon
three plans for evangelistic work
" o. By evangelists. All seem to de-
sire and five have actually employed
evangelists
(2) A second plan is e. to send
out pastors and stated supplies to vacant
churches and destitute fields.
"(3.) A third way is the cultivation of
an evangellstic spirit among settled pas
tors that will take them out into mission
airy fields around their own charges"
Contributions were larger both
IN number and amount than the year be-
tore-753 per cent of the churches contri-
buted an average of II cents per member.
The highest average was in MARYLAND
Presbytery, 43 cents; the next highest
IN Winchester, 384 cents; and the lowest
IN Montgomery, 8 cents
Action taken.-1. THAT this SYNOD
feels that our Church, as missionary
society, is now loudly called of God by
his Word and Providence, to press for
ward its evangelistic work by every leqit-
innate means in its power.
2. Synod rejoices in every sign of in
terest In this work, and hears with special
pleasure of the increased number and
amounts of our churches contributions tn
this cause.
8. Synod would urge upon Presbvte-
ries, pastors and churches, the Importance
OF cultivating missionary spirit as the
necessary sign of true church. and the
means of her extension.
4. Synod would once more recommend
and extol the Office of evangelist as one
specially ordained and adapted to the ad-
vancement of the Church.
o. That all our people be exhorted to
hberallty, our ministers to great diligence,
and our Presbyteries and sessions to the
use OF all their wisdom and authority in
promoting the evangelistic service
Two or three points deserve to be en-
phasized: CAY The Synod regards "tbe
missionary spirit " as part Of the gospel
gift. The Church is "a missionary So
ciety." 1t has been organized to propa-
gate the truth to make known the clad
udlngs OF salvation; to extend itself and
It's benefits to the destitute and sinfnI
(6) The missionary spirit is defined To
be That which gives the gospel to the poor
and carries It's light and influence into
the highways and hedges (c) The
Church, as whole, including it's courts.
ministers, elders, and members, is respon-
slble for giving the truth to all who have
1t not, and the spirit of the gospel de
mands that all shall do all in their power
to promote this great end.
In our opinion this report has erasped
and set forth the idea which when crashed
and put into practice by the Church will
develop the power which, under God. will
avail for the evangelizaton of our own
land and the whole world. "The field is
the world, and in none of our efforts OUGHT
we ever to lose sight of the fact that ike
the great apostle, we are debtors both
to the Greeks and the barbarians." But
our own land is most important part of
the world, and no Church which peoIeote
the destitute and outcast within it's own
bounds will be ever owned of God in
doing a great work in the upbuild-
ing Of his kingdom and the salvation of
men. The true missionary spirit" is
that which taking hold of man, com
pels him to live and labor and give and
pray for the upbuilding of Christ's cause
everywhere. The church that does most
Tor others, near and afar off, will have
most done for it by Him who is the Head
OF the Church and whose heart yearns
over ALL This truth was well put bv
the last General Assembly in the follow
ing language To the Church has been
committed the only remedy that can cure
a disease which destroys both BODY and
soul. The Church is the light Of the
world, the salt of the earth. Hence. the