The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-03-09
For the Central Presbyterian.
Retrenchmen and Reform,

Feeling that have already trespassed upon
your space it shall be my aim to condense what
reihains to be. said on this subject into as few
additional articles as possible. Yet it is a sub
ject of great Importance and ought to gain the
close attention of our Church. 1t is pleasure
and strength to know that such a man as DIR.
Girardsau, and such Synod as South Carolina,
seem to think it consistent with their Presbyte
rianism to say, "that the treasurers of these Com
mittees and Boards of Directors should be dea-
cons"*
But we shall not say any thing more upon
this doctrinal phase of the case. 1t seems to be
so clearly and irresstibly deducible from our
Form of Government, that consistency would
necesstate a change of that Form" or a
change of our present plan of appointing min
isters and ruling elders as Treasurers.
THE WORK OF OUR COMMITTEES.
Let us take that of Sustentation
LIST. The Treasurer receives the funds con.
tributed to this cause. by the churches, and re
ceipts to their Treasurers, which if fully or
sanised are descons.
End. The Secretary receives applications
from the unpaid committees of Presbyteres,
for appropriations to this -Sustentation-
to be expended within their respective bounds
Sd. The Committees decide how much is to be
appropriated. or distributed to each Presbytery,
and this decision is based upon two facts In
the main, with other facts as modifers. These
two main facts are LIST. The amount of money in
the Treasury and End The amount of money
for which applications are made
4th. This is about what is done by the Com
mittees of Education.
5th Now taking l. the three branches of the
Home Mission work, to wit: LIST. Sustentation,
with its GAY church erection, and (b) The sup,
plementing of pastors salaries, End Evangel
sation. 3rd. The relief of disabled ministers and
widows and orphans of deceased ministers and
II. The cause of Education, it is not impracti-
cable for the General Assembly to appoint a
committee at each session, and during that
session to order such appropriation, if they
could get before them, the two main facts above
referred to. And would not all these facts be
gathered, prepared. and presented by the
Treasurer to the Assembly. and by it placed
before these Committees?
What would be gained by such plan as
this?
LIST. direct oversight of its work by the AS
sembly.
End. A direct responsibility of the Treasurer
to the Assembly.
3rd The saving to the Church of money &C
tually in the Treasury, to that amount which it
costs now to pay salaries, clerks hire, Office ex-
penses, and ETC.. over and above the salary and
etc., of single Treasurer
4th. The Sinking of responsibility, by turning
over to individuals and committees what each
minister, ruling elder, and deacon in our whole
Church in his sphere ought to feel as an indi-
yidual duty.
9th. A more enlightened view of the Church e
work
9Th. Nothing is here said about the cause Of
Publication, because we do not see how it could
possibly be worked under this plan Nor is any
thing said about that of Foreign Missions For
the same reasons we made Secretary for this
cause but there is no reason why its funds
should not be received and discussed by one
Treasurer
7th. This method, with the experience already
gained, could be carried out into practical work
by throwing greater responsibility upon the
Presbyteries, in exciting to individual effort at
raising contributions would at the same time
give greater emphasis to that grand Presbyterial
idea the oneness of the Church.
Thanking you for the consideration you have
shown in publishing the views entertained, and
humbly expressed of plan equally effective and
more economical for carrying on our Church
work, L am sincerely yours,
w. E. HILL.
[*The Synod of South Carolina docketed the
report of DR.. Girardeau, to be considered at the
next meeting, but has not endorsed it-EDs
CEN PREs