The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-10-18


way, and thus it is with our frie DIS in
this delightful little mountoin town, of
only seven hundred inhabitants. Thev
are thoroughly interested, and have gone
bard to aOork. ite Sunday School is at
work. The hearts of tie children are
stirred. Their little hands are engaged.
They will do their part. The 1rdies ere
at work. A few of them meet fro1A week
to week at the house Uf their indomitable
president, and devise and plan and sew
end then, on year, have sale; and
they are determined to do thei~ share in
Sc 1drng the gospel to the desii .ute por-
tors of our own land, and to help our
poor Presbyterian an Christians in support
ing the ordinances of the sanctuary. TIE
male members of the church are at work.
They feel that our beloved Church has
cla' n upon them; that it is worth pr
serving, and strengthening and enlarging;
that they are In part responsible for its
work and service, and that it behooves
them to give literally of their means to
help it forward in its mission o" m ercy to
the lost and perishing. It's pCStor is at
work. He is a live man. His heart is
in the right place and he is forward to
encourage his people in every good en-
terprlse. Here, then, are all the ele-
ments of success. The whole Church is
aroused; the pastor and the people; its
men and its women; the children and
their parents, and they are determined
to do what they can to accomplish this
great object. But the best of it remains
yet to be told; namely, that it is no spas
modlc effort. 1t is understood that the
specified amount is to be raised, not only
for the present year, but that at least
this much is to be aimed at every year.
These earnest people have taken an ad-
vanced position in this matter from which
they do not intend to recede.
Others Should Do Likewise.
This is not the only church in which
there has been an awakening of Home
Mission interest during the past summer.
We could tell of several such, but will
only speak of one other. The beloved
brother, to whom the message about OBJ
tanning 5000 from his church was sent
by our friend of the eldership at -,
received it very graciously and was evi-
DENLY impressed, end remarked, that
" Nothing would crafty me more" And
Rs n3 nEgtSS fatBa tBat teah hHGt raised and he
hopes the balance will be in due time, in
which hope the writer can truthfulIy say
that he participates. Some of the Pres
byteries, too, are beginning to stir. The
Pre-. bytery of Lexington, which last year
geve 81, ,738 to Sustentation, has deter
mined on an effort to raise 81, 900 for this
cause b. fore April l. The Presbytery
Maryland which last year gave 81, 81
to Susie cation, and 5000 to Evangelistic
Wo pledges itself to a strenuous effort
to raise tbs year So, 400 for the former,
and 81 200 or the latter. 1t gave an
average of two dollars per member last
year, and will try for an average of So
this year. The Presbytery of East Han
over he's also taken advanced action and
sa ct Q ID an effort to raise $4,000. Here
AID thee, too, throughout TIE Church,
Home Mission societies are being formed
our Christian women are astir, and the
good influence is being felt. A few of
our Christian men have also been awak- |
ened to give literally, and the outlook is,
on the whole, hopeful.
But it is still true that in some quar- !
ters there is sad lack of faith and of
enterprise. The doubling Thomases''
are not few, and they stand back won
derfully; although thank God, now and
then, one of them is converted and be-
comes a splendid worker. Such a case is |
fresh before my mind and is worth rela-
ting. A few weeks ago 1 said to be-
loved brother, "W We must have 100000
this year for Home Missions, and, if so,
the Synod of Virginia will have to raise
$4,000, and your Presbytery will have
to give $6,000."
Looking at nae with good d-natured COM
pc sion for my ignorance and enthusiasm,
he said, with twinkle in his eye, " You
put me in mind of story told on him
self by the Hon. ]. r. =. He had
lately removed to l., and soon
afterwards, a client from the House
Mountains called to consult him about
case. After listening to his statement
attentively, Mr.. t. said to his
client understand your case, and
will attend to it for you. Ny fee is
$50l To this the retiring client replied
in tone of amazement, Y'e hev not
been long in these parts; hev YEP and
took his departure.
My friend employed this pleasant
method Of expressing his incredulity and
of delicately suggesting that have over
shot the mark. But he listened to what
wss to be said on the subject was con-