The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-09-28
Home Missions.
BY REV. RICHARD M'ILwA1N,

BY REV. RICHARD M'ILwAINE, NJ D. d.
The Evangelistic branch of this depart
ment ought to receive the continued and
earnest consideration of the Church dur
ing the month of October. Let it be re-
membered in public and private prayer,
that Gods blessing may rest upon and
prosper the work. There is loud call
in the rapid development of our mission
airy field for the equally rapid extension
OF missionary labor Twenty additional
home missionaries are needed at once. II
the churches and our Christian people
will furnish the means, the men can
easily be had. and the work not only be
sustained, but adequately enlarged.
Much has been written of late about
the spiritual wants of Texas and Florida,
and the half has not yet been told of the
openings for usefulness in those growing
and important States. 1t ought not to
be forgotten however, that there are
parts of several other States, such as
West Virginia, Kentucky, Arkansas,
Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi, and
Louisiana, no less needy. There is de-
mand upon the whole Church to rise to
the conception of the magnitude of the
work before it, and to be forward in do
ing it. No one Of our congregations
ought to fail to send a generous collec-
tion for this object, and Christians of
means cannot do better than make special
gifts for its promotion. Just as this was
about to be mailed noble giver sends
in $500 for this cause We hope that
her example will be initiated by others.
Western Texas
Rev F. 2. Ramsay, who was appointed
IN August to occupy Laredo, a growing
city on the Rio Grande, left his home in
South Caroliana, with his family, for that
place on September 1st The people
We're making preparations for his coming
and were ready to give him cordial
welcome. The field is full of promise,
and Mr.. Ramsay is believed to be we'll
fitted for it. At the last meeting of the
Executive Committee, Rev. J. R. Bridges,
a native of Virginia and graduate of
Hampden Sidney College and Union
Theological Seminary, and now licen-
tlate under the care of West Lexington
Presbytery, Kentucky, was also appointed
to the work in Western Texas, his field
to be assigned by the Presbytery. He
expects to enter upon his labors about
November 1st. The name of another
brother, highly recommended and ready
to go, was also before the Committee for
appointment, but it was not deemed
prudent to proceed further until more
ample funds are received for the support
Of the work.
The General Assembly expressed the
hope that five brethren would be sent
into this field at an early day. This will
require an expenditure of at least from
$4,000 to $4,000 for their removal and
support for one year. Only 5000 has
been specially contributed for this object
about one-tenth OF what is needed. 1t
is hoped, however, that many who pro-
pose to help p will, ere long, send in their
contributions. 1t is the purpose of the
Committee to appoint brethren to this
field as fast as the means are secured.
Contributions of small amounts will be
cheerfully received from those not able to
give more, but it is hoped that some of
our rich people will give largely. The
field is white to the harvest, and the
laborers are ready to enter in, but they
cannot go at their own charges. Will
not some OF Gods people who dwell in
comfortab bic homes and are prospered in
their business, send in prompt and liberal
gifts, for the support Of those who are
willing to endure hardness" in our
mission field, and to spend and be spent
In building up the kingdom Of Christ?
The Mite Chests.
More than a hundred and fifty of these
silent little missionaries have been called
for and are doing unobtrusive and useful
service in gathering funds for our home
work. Not few of them are in families
which seldom have the opportunity of at
tending Presbyterian worship, but which
now regularly contribute to the Lord s
cause. Some are in the hands of little
children; some are used by mothers and
their children; some serve an entire Sab
bath School. Others are devoted to a
single class. A few persons who got them
in July or early in August have already
sent their gatherings up to September LIST.
into the treasury, and the result in every
case is most gratifying. 1t were we'll if FIVE
thousand of them were used in as many
families and Sabbath schools. They