The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-11-22
Evangelistic Work in Kentucky

|
| The following Circular has been addressed to
all the churches in the Synod
To the Officers and Members of he- Pres
byterian Church:
Dear Brethren,-One year ago the
Synod of Kentucky inaugurated sys-
tenn of Evangelistic Work, the necessity
of which had long been felt; and, look
ing first to God for His blessing, an APP
peal was made to the Churches to unite
in an earnest effort to make the enter
prise successful The Synod was en-
couraged to undertake this work by a
proposition made by two private mem
bers of the Church to duplicate any
amount between $4,000 and $4,000
which might be raised for the cause
The offer was accepted in the largest
sum named, and the Churches were
called upon to raise $4,000 and thus
secure $4,000 for this important object.
The response was prompt and liberal.
The receipts from Churches and indi-
viduals amounted to 1925; and when
to this sum was added the $5, 1000 pledged
by the two gentlemen, to whose generous
offer we are indebted for the Inaugural
ton of this enterprise, the Synod's
Executive Committee had in hand the
sum of 1925 for the prosecution of the
work entrusted to their care. Out of
these funds ten evanglists have been
supported In whole or in part, and have
Iabored diligently and successfully in the
work to which they were appointed.
1t is impossible for us here to present
any statement which will fully exhibit
the results which have been accomplished
by their labors; but we may say, in
brief, that the Gospel has been preached
with great power and success in the des-
titute portions of the State, and in places
where the voice of Presbyterian min
lister was never heard before; more than
thousand persons have been received
into the communion of the Church on
profession of their faith in Christ; seven
new Churches have been organized, and
others on the verge of dissolution have
been re-organized and inspired with new
life; houses of worship have been built,
and old ones repaired; young men have
had their thoughts turned to the Gospel
Ministry, five of whom have already be-
gun their preparation for the sacred Of
flee; many of our Churches have been re-
vlved, and all of them have felt benefited
and encouraged by the work in which
they are engaged. The movement has
attracted the attention of the Church at
large, and other Synods, stimulated by
our example and encouraged by our sue
cess, are preparing to make similar eff
forts, which, under the blessing of God,
will accomplish glorious results in the
future. A great work has been done,
amply compensating us for any self-de-
NAL we may have incurred in contribu-
ting to this important interest.
AT the recent meeting at Shelbyville
the Synod gave much attention to this
work; and when it heard the reports
which the Evangelists, fresh from the
scenes of their labors, brought with them,
1T felt that the blessing of God was rest
ing upon the work which the Churches
had had the grace and the courage to
undertake. And when the offer of Col.
Young and Mr.. Veech was renewed, it
was accepted unhesitatingly by unani--
nous vote, and the Churches pledged to
raise for this cause at least S., 900 before
the next meeting of the Synod.
And now, brethren, we come to you in
the confidence that your hearts are in
this work, and that you will cheerfully
sustain an enterprise so auspiciously
begun, and upon which the seal of Gods
approval rests. "There remaineth yet
much land to be possessed" There are
many counties which our evangelists
have not yet entered. The work begun
ID the destitute regions of our State must
not be abandoned; the Churches formed
must not be neglected and left to die; the
work which we have undertaken must
not be contracted, but rather enlarged,
and carried on with greater energy and
determination. God seems to say to us by
His providence, "Speak to the children
of Israel that they 90 forward
The third Sabbath in November was
appointed by the Synod as the time
when collections for this object shall be
taken up. The Committee have no right
to say what each Church should give :;
but by way of suggestion, and, with
every confidence in their liberality, they
have endeavored fairly to apportion
among them the amount to be raised
and it has been thought that 8 -
would be a just and equitable amount
for your church to contribute. Tn view
of our large success during the past year
and the increasing responsibility it in
wolves, we trust that you will regard
this as minimum, and that you will
raise q laTpnr arnoupf Is ryo,, 80 Ill b.