The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-05-18
For the Central Presbyterian.
Retrenchment and Reform


On the subjects of present agitation in
our Church, we should bear in mind that
there are three questions which ought
ever to be kept before us:
LIST. Are we working under the law of
God as interpreted by the Constitution of
our Church? An answer in the negative
should be fatal to any plan. 1t is Gods
work we are attempting to carry on, and
we ought by all means to execute it in
His way, as we understand and have ex-
pounded it.
End. There is in addition the question
OF economy. And closely, intimately con-
nected with these two is an all important
one Of
3rd.- Efficiency. Of course Gods way
is most efficient, but it is at the same time
the most economical. 1t is a general law
OF His kingdom, that just SO much of ex-
penditure is made as is necessary for eff
fciency. There may be, and ever is a
vast reserve power, but it is not expended
1t is not contended here that there is
a revelation In detailed minuteness, Civ
ing a pattern, as was showed to Moses on
the mount. But if we have in general
outline the plan of Church organization
and who will deny, that so far as the va
rlous and distinctive duties of each office
are revealed, we ought to keep them sep
arate. 1t is the converse of the iniunc-
ton, What God hath joined together,
let not man put asunder.''
If we have not yet discovered for our
work that divine plan of combining the
greatest efficiency with the most rigid
economy, is it not our duty to seek after
1t? Shall we, can we, let the cry of "agi-
tation, agitation, deter us from it? Shall
we yield to the cry Of "Let us have
peace" let us have peace and by, yield
ing, perhaps leave within our system,
though torpid, force which may spring
up to our destruction
Will any one claim perfection for our
present PLAN? If better, in part or
whole, can be suggested, is any one SO
infatuated with the present one as to de-
sire to keep it intact in toto
In our schemes of benevolence there is
starting and stopping point. We
have, under Gods glory, two-fold object:
l. To provoke the people of God unto
love and good works; to conservation of
" their substance to the Lord to bring
ing all their tithes in His store-house. 2.
These gifts being made, another question
arises-How shall we, guardians Of Gods
treasury, make the money given by His
people, do the most good? And this is
not question that can be set aside as
unimportant.
Suppose it is my purpose, for the glory
of God, to clothe some one Of his poor.
The first question is" How can 1 raise
the money and here both efficiency and
economy are important considerations.
When the money is raised, the next ques-
ton is" How shall these clothes be sent
to the poor, at the least possible expense?"
In both of these questions efficiency and
economy are both intimately and vitality
connected. Can any one fail Of seeing
that the illustration is at the same time
an argument in favor of the simplest and
least expensive means of getting together
and disbursing all the gifts of Gods peo-
pie for benevolent purposes?
1t is alleged that the present agitation
has diminished the contributions. What
saith the record? The contributions to
Foreign Missions have increased during
the year. Let us wait and see what has
been done in the other causes. In the
mean time let us inquire Of the source of
all wisdom as to the most efficiently eco
nomical, and scriptural method of carry
ing on our work, and with the best lights
before us walk in the way pointed out.