The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-07-19

lngs, secure their multiplication in the
churches, and at the same time, so en-
large the collections that both branches
OF the mission work will be gamers
thereby. The Assembly, however, de-
cllned to give any direction in regard to
the maner of dividing these collections,
preferring to leave every church free to
give the whole to one or the other branch
OF the mission work, or to divide them
according to their best judgment. 1t
did, however, call upon ministers to pre-
sent, stately, to their people the con-
dltlon and wants of the work of God in
our land, and upon our Christian people
to take this cause to their hearts, and to
bear it up before the merey-seat in
prayer. If this is done, it cannot be
doubted that many of our congregations
will feel that their aims ought to ascend
with their prayers, and will find it both
pleasant and profitable to give in its be-
half. Let the monthly concert of prayer
then, be established in all the churches,
and, as far as practicable, let this cause
be remembered by those who love the
Lord ard his Church.
Another indispensable agency in Sc
curing the full support of our people is
found in
Home Mission Societies,
SO cordially recommended by the last
General Assembly. Perhaps not one
half of our people will ever be found at
church on any given Sabbath-probably
not one-tenth of them will be gathered
at any one time, at the monthly concert
OF prayer. Grieve over these things as
we may, and strive to remedy them as
we ought, we must recognize the fact
that multitudes who would delight to at
tend upon these services are, in the pro-
vidence of God, hindered from doing so,
while possibly some have no better ex-
cuse than negligence, for absenting them
selves from the house of God. Then
again, many who attend regularly upon
the sanctuary, and who always give some
thing when a collection is taken up, do
not by any means exhaust their ability
or Willingness to give. 1t is, therefore,
wise IN laying our plans to employ agen-
cles to meet these necessities of the case,
and nothing has yet been devised more
admirably adapted to this end than that
we are now considering. 1t is true, in
deed, the Church is missionary society.
and ought to consider itself such, and as
such, address itself to the great duty laid
upon it by its adorable Head. And this
is just the idea which we wish to see i'm
pressed upon these societies. Every
member Of the Church, without excep-
ton, ought to be a member of them, SO
that they will be the Church IN action.
Their object should be not merely to Sc
cure funds for the waste places, but also
to promote Christian fellowship and
work. If these two objects are kept in
view they will likely secure permanency
and large usefulness, and promote at
once the highest edifcation of their mem
bers, and the best interest of the Church
at large. Itwould be an auspicious dav,
if every church in the Protestant fold
would organize itself into such Home
Mission Society" for Christian work and
benefcence.
Another humble but promising means
OF helping forward this cause is by gath
ering the Titles through
Home Mission Mite Chests.
About year ago it was announced
that these little boxes would be furnished
to any person, or family, or Sabbath
school class, which would use them for
this cause, the only condition being that,
as Tar as practicable, something should
be put into them at least once a week
and that at stated times their proceeds
should be returned to the Assemblv'g
treasury: Up to January l, five hun
dred had been called for from which
more than 1920 has been received
more than two hundred have been dis
trlbu ted since January, so that over
100 are now in use, and INQUIRIES for
them come In from time to time. They
are mostly used by families which are not
able to attend church regularly, and bv
Sabbath schools and children's societies.
One children s society in Texas has col
lected IN them during six months as much
as S37. One family contributed 81 by
this meansin two months. Another fami
ly, which gathered over $14 in six months.
has the habit Of handing the box around
at the breakfast table on Sabbath morn
ing. Two sweet little girls, in South
western Virginia, sent $3.50 from their
savings and so scores and hundreds have
done and are doing what they can. The
experiment has proved so successful that
the Executive Committee has adopted IL
as one Of the means of enlisting interest
and securing funds for this cause. We
are assured that those who have used
them have found pleasure and profit
thorobv Wn ghould 10 ,,1o i - 49,.