The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-02-09

iho SiooC pIdCtlCdl pTODlem TO De
solved by the Christian people of Belfast is
this,-How are these classes to be reach
ed and rescued from worldliness and
spiritual death? So long as we have
but one minister in each congregation
(even the largesD, the energies of that
minister are taxed to the utmost to
shepherd his flock. His own people
require his whole time and strength
ALL round the sphere of his pastoral
labors there lies an ever-increasing mass
of the non-church-g going, whom he does
not know and on whom he has no time
to expend. What is to be done with
and for these The heart and conscience
OF Gods people answer at once, they
must not be left to perish. They cannot
be abandoned to become the prey of the
thousand and one temptations that sur
round them. When they pitch among
us they create responsibility of which
we cannot divest ourselves. The work
may be difficult, even overwhelming
but we must face it, as we shall answer
to the Church's Head The heather in
the most distant regions of the globe
have claim on us; but the first and
strongest claim is that of the heather at
our own door, speaking our own language
and making some formal profession of
our own faith. 1t was this condition of
things that led to the formation of this
Mission thirty-seven years ago. 1t was
organized, and its lines of action laid,
by men of strong faith and great expe-
rience, and it has grown and grown
(though not fully keeping pace with the
population till it has spread network
of spiritual operation over large por-
ton of our town.
While this Mission deals directly and
always with the spiritual side of man
nature, it wields an indirect and mighty
influence on the present and temporal
condition of the people, The very pre-
sence, in district, of Christian man
who is known to be laboring for the
good OF the people, has happy influence
upon them. They feel that they are
not utterly neglected that, after all,
there are some who care for their souls.
His visits in the family circle are usually
hailed with delight. In many cases he
comes to be regarded as the best, if not
the only friend. The young gather
round him with confidence and affection.
To him they look specially for direction
as to their future in life. He is often
the link of connexion between employer
and employed. Through his influence
and agency the father, or son, or daugh-
ter not unfrequently secures employ
ment In many rays the Missionary
becomes helpful to the poor, Independent
of any direct pecuniary benefaction.
This work is arduous, and often peril
Gus. The Missionary does not always
receive cordial welcome, and he has
sometimes to penetrate where pestilence
is stalking at monday. But, after all,
to heroic Christian spirit there is con-
scious enjoyment in such work. 1t is
very much like the work of the Master,
and the conviction that they who SOW
IN tears shall have a reaping- time of ioy,"
sustains and stimulates the child of God
in the midst of peril and what is revolt
ing to the flesh.
We ask the friends of the Mission
carefully to ponder the following tabula-
ted statement of the work Of the past
year, so far as that work can be present
ed to the human eye. For the full and
perfect setting forth of the result we
must wait till that day when the secrets
of all hearts shall be revealed -
hours spent IN visiting 1866
Visits paid to families 45 349
Visits paid to the sick 834
Visits to families unconnected with
=, churches 22,854
Visits paid to institutions 323
Number of meetings held, 1856
attendance at these meetings, 141 ,528
mot separate persons, but the yearly aggregate.
Tracts distributed, 34,95O
bibles and Iestaments circulated, 416
Families who joined churches, 147
Average attendance at Bible Glasses, 522
Do. Sabbath Schools-morning, 526
Do. do. evening, 1892