The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-02-16
Home Missions.


Messrs. Editors The question of oues-
tions with our Church at this time ought
to be, shall the effort to raise $40, 1000 for
Home Missions be full and complete
success? The need of this was clearly
set before your readers in the address is
sued by the Executive Committee last
week. The duty of action in the prem
lses has thus been remitted TO those to
whom 1T properly belongs, viz, to the
ministers, sessions, and members of the
churches. What will be done with this
appeal? Just here is the rub. If every
one OF them acts promptly and earnestly,
the thing will be done. If they generally
conclude that they have done enough
and so let the matter alone, dead failure
is sure. Every one will agree that sue
cess is much to be desired No one will
say that failure is necessary. 1t is ad-
mltted on all hands that the ministers of
poor congregations ought to be sustained ;
that the young and feeble churches ought
to be assisted; that our negro popula-
ton ought to be evangelical, and that
$4O, 1000 is little enough for our Church
to appropriate to these objects for whole
year. 1t will also be generally conceded
that this work lies at the basis of the
Church's growth and spiritual life, and
that unless it be done, nothing else can
be well done: All other departments of
effort must be conducted with embarrass-
ment SO long as our laboring ministers
are left to want; our young churches are
allowed to languish and die, and the
heathen at our doors are uncared for.
Nor can 1T be doubted that the member
ship OF our churches are abundantly able
to furnish the amount called for, if thew
have mind and are willing to endure a
little self-denial to do So
These things being granted tremend-
Gus responsibility rests upon somebody.
Who is this somebody? 1.-The minister is a
convenient scape- goat let the burden rest
on him." 1t is his duty to instruct, to
exhort, to expostulate, but, alas, he can
not give the money needed, except
very small portion of it. Now, if he have
done what he could, clearly he has dis
charged his obligation "But the elders
ought to be saddled with this RESPONSE
billty J. This is true in part, for an earn
est minister can do comparatively little,
II llstless or penurious elders stand be-
tween him and the people. Elders ought
to do what they can by holding up the
minister's hands by their official inAu-
ence and action, and by setting an exam
pie In liberal giving. But when they
have done all this, they constitute only a
small portion of the Church, either nu-
merically or financially. We come, there
fore, to the great body of our Christian
people consisting of old and young, rich
and poor, male and female, and here, we
find that the responsibility must and does
rest. When ministers do their part and
the elders cordially co operate, then the
Church as whole must concur and each
member bear his share in the great un-
dertaklng. This is the fact that needs
recognition at this time. 1t is no easy
matter to double the giving of the Church
at once. 1t is a herculean task. but it
can be accomplished, if every one con-
cerned will put his shoulder to the wheel
and help as he can. If the piety of our
people is appealed to; if their zeal and
love for Gods house be invoked; if they
are made to understand that there is DOS
tive need that this money shall be raised
and that at once, it can hardly be doubt
ed that they will be melted to a generous
effort which will result in complete sue
cess. And then, scores Of our hard work
ed and scantily paid ministers will not
only be relieved but strengthened and
cheered in their labors; hundreds of
weak congregations will be encouraged
our Christian work among the colored
people will be enlarged, and the Church
be filled with new energy and hopeful
ness. Nothing that ! can think of SO
much demands at this time the generous
support Of those who love our Zion as
this effort to place her domestic work
upon a safe and prosperous basis. Let