The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-12-13
To the Ministers and Churches
of the Synod of Virginia.
Abstract of the Report of the Com
mittee on Home Missions.


couraging than any heretofore made. The Pres
byteries are generally showing lively inter
est in evangelistic work, and with one excep-
ton, are working in full cooperation with the
Assembly s plan. No great territorial advance
has been made, but much earnest work has been
done by our self-denying and laborious evan
gelists. Large vacant felds-one or more in
every Presbytery, are still calling for evange-
lists, and promising good results. In the Synod
there are % evangelists employed for all or
part of their time, distributed as follows among
the Presbyteries:
Abingdon Presbytery, l East Hanover 2 ;
Greenbrier, 2; Lexington, 8 Roanoke, 2; West
Hanover, 3; Winchester, 4. Much evangelstic
work is also done by other ministers than evan
gelists. On our evangelistic fields several houses
of worship have been completed, several more
commenced, over so persons have been added to
the communion, and the people have been ex-
ercissd in benefcence.
Synod now embraces 222 ministers (including
% evangelists) 8 licentiates, 33 candidates. 319
churches, and "a 700 communicates. Compar-
ing these facts with those of several periods in
the past, we obtain the following results:
IL Oue year OJ lOu HAS EuLtCtL = uHlulsIeTS III
evangelists, churches ITO communicates, 5
contributing churches, and 1924. 1t lost 10
lcentiates =.52; l candidate =03, and sent
outside of our bounds $26460 less, while it drew
from the Assembly's committee $55O17 more,
than last year.
In five years, Synod has gained II ministers,
=.0S; 15 evangelists, =.314 per cent. 43 church.
es, and .484 communicates, and 81 1896, per
cent. in churches contributing and an average
of cents per member.
1t lost II licentiates,=.50, and candidates,
Ill.
In ten years Synod gained 3S ministers, ,=.2l;
81 churches, PA communicates, CPL, "a.
1t lost icentiates, =.35, and Is candidates,
=.35.
In the decade from 187O-188O, population in
creased in the three States of Maryland, Vir-
ginia and West Virginia at the average rate of
27.6 per cent, or communicates increased in
decade from lS72-18S2 by ga per cent. in ex-
cess of increase of population from 107O-1SsO.
This fact gratifes and encourages.
But in these two approximate periods the
number of our churches increased 3.6 per cent.
less than population, our ministers sc per cent.
less, while the number of licentiates and cand-
dates is each actually 80 less or relatiUeIy to
population, 62.6 per cent. less These losses
ought to stir the consciences of all our ministers
and people. Their argument draws force too
from such facts as these Since 1870 nearly =
500 miles of railroads have been built; other
roads are projected capitalists have made
enormous investments in our bounds; mines
iorges, mills, and factories are planted to de.
velope the resources of our country and increase
both its wealth and population. Shall the
Church keep step 10ih the tOorLdi
We ask how has she met her responsibility !?
Facts show that Presbytcries are generally doing
what they can. Ministers seem much interested
in this work. Yet of the 90 churches which
gave absolutely nothing to evange!stic funds
and containing about one-tenth of our members
40 had pastors or supplies.
Our people, notwithstanding increased wealth
gave only 20 cents per members, and .22 of our
churches gave nothing to this work. A still
more alarming fact is that notwithstanding the
increase of communicates your candidates and
licentiates have decreased in large ratio. Our
people must bring their sons into this warfare
and their tithes into the storehouse of the
Lord" The whole Church must pray God to
send forth laborers into his harvest" We NAV
not expect God to advance this work bv
miracle, but we may expect the quickenine
guiding, and strengthening power of His Spirit
while we obey and pray. Our great need is
more of the mind Of Jesus and Of the power of
His Spirit.
Recommen dations.
We recommend the following resolutions
1st. That Presbyteries should continue 10 give
special prominence to evangelistic work. and
adopt or persevere in measures to advance it.
I'd. That it is the duty of all ministers and
ruling elders, when they return home from
church courts, as far as possible, to make known
the wants and prospects of this work, and to
con municate to their people an ardent interest
in it,
Sd. That ministers engaged either wholly or
in part in this work, are hereby assured of this
Synod's sympathy, and are exhorted to perse-
we're with all diligence in bearing hardness AZ
good soldiers of Jesus" and that any ministers
not engaged in it be exhorted to devote them
selves to it as they have opportunity.
4th. That all ministers should instruct their
people in the duty Of consecrating their sons
and their substance to God, that the church NAV
be furnished with the means for meeting in
creased demands upon her.
9th. That Presbyteres and people be ex