The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-03-23
Ordinations. Deaths. Candidates.
3S2 POP

ministers ordained exceeded the number
deceased by only $50.
z. The number of ordinations during
the second FIVE years exceeded those Of
the first FIVE years by only 4S.
3. The number of candidates for the
first five years was 1874; for the second,
$40, decrease of a. The average of
the first FIVE years was 49, for the Sec
ond five, l64, an average decrease of u.
4. The number of candidates in 1880
was l45, that is 81 below the average Of
the first five years, and 19 below the
average of the second five.
From the same official sources we find
that our ministers and licentiates in 1871
numbered 912; in 1880, they numbered
loI9, an increase of only 1877
During the same time our churches in
creased from 1,548 to 1928, a gain of
$50; and our communicates increased
from 97,529 to 120,O2S, gain of 80 ,499.
In ten years the per cent of increase was.
ministers Is. churches 25, communicates
81.
These facts are of great weight and
solemnity. In the number of our church
Pes, they show not large but solid and
gratifying advance. But they show ex-
IRENE danger of failure at vital point.
The number of candidates for the minis
try, at no time adequate to the wants of
the Church, has been for some years
steadily declining. When we consider
that some of our ministers are laid aside
bby age or infirmity each year, that some
fall at their posts, and that so few are
coming to take their places, the painful
CONVICTION is forced on us that we will
be unable to meet our own restitution. or
extend our missions among the heather.
The decrease of ministers, if not remedied.
must paralyse the Church. Her work
must cease for lack of the instrumentalitv
to carry it on. 1t may we'll increase the
sorrow and alarm of every sincere Chris
tan to learn that this great danger
threatens large portion of the Christian
Church, both in Europe and America.
The weight of this affliction lies heavily
on every Presbyterian communion, ex-
cept the United Presbyterian Church of
Scotland, in which the supply of stu
dents is far beyond its own demands. &"
The largest of our communions this side
the Atlantic, the Northern Presbyterian
Church, through its Secretary of Educa-
ton, utters voice of lamentation and
warning. Their vacancies in the min
istry occasioned by deaths and removals
average 100 per year, and the average
annual net increase is 49," "Facts like
these are of momentous significance, re-
vealing perilous down grade in this i'm
portant interest of the Church. They do
not inspire hope for the future. But it
is well for the Church to face them, and
to face them in their most serious aspect"
They call upon us for earnest, humble
determination, that we may find the
cause, and seek after the remedy. God
is affecting us, and it becomes us to search
and try our ways, and turn unto Him.
Ill. The means to be used to remedy
this great evil will suggest also the cause
of it.
L. The first great remedy is PRAYER.
The Saviour, moved with compassion -
for the multitudes, urged His disciples
to employ this effectual method of relief:
Pray we the Lord of the harvest that
He would send forth laborers into his
harvest. He imposes on His people the
duty, He grants them the privilege OF
asking. All true ministers are the Gift
of Christ, the Head of the Church: to
Him we must look for them. Should He
not send them, it is in vain they 90.
Genius, talents, culture, if not consecrated
and commissioned by Him, are wholly
inadequate. And have we not the high
est encouragement to pray for this? Will
our Lord be deaf to prayer dictated by
Himself? The experience Of the Church
shows that where she has cried unto God
for ministers, He has ever needed her
cry. Neglect of prayer is fatal: it is the
omission of the great, essential means ap-
pointed by Christ. Let us unite then in
earnest prayer to God to increase the
number of faithful ministers. In the
Church, in the family, in the closet, daily
and on stated occasions, let us call upon
Him, until He return and have mercy
upon us. Ten years of standing still in
our work, indicates a sad neglect of the
explicit command of Him, who "loved
the Church and gave Himself for it.
2. But it is our duty not only to pray
for more ministers, but to expect them in
answer to our prayers. How does Christ
answer this petition? Not by sending
ministers fully equipped for their office ;
but by teaching young men to offer
themselves to the Church for this service.
Hence we should look out for them, meet
them, aid them. We must seek, as we'll
as ask watch as well as pray. The