The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-07-05
Entered at the Post-Ofhce at Richmond, Va, as
second-class matter.
CORRESPONDENT NOE.
Home Missions.
BY REV. d. a. HALVES.

BY REV. II. n. HAWES.'
Some years since a member of DR..
Hoge's church took his invalid wife to
the country for the summer. He pitched
his tent" in neighborhood which was
not well furnished with religious advan-
tages. There were churches several miles
distant, but this gentleman was hindered,
by certain circumstances, from attending
the public services regularly. The near
est church of his own denomination was,
to him, difficult of access. What did he
do? Instead of spending time in idly
wishing that he had a Presbyterian
church within reach, he visited the
neighbors and invited them to meet him
in little log school-house convenient to
all So there they met, week after week,
the attendance increasing-the interest
growing, until the little log house was
too small for them, and they had to build
an arbor. This Christian man was not
"gifted in speech" but his heart was full
of desire to work for Christ. His meet
ings were only for reading the Bible,
singing and prayer, with such homely
but hearty exhortations and teachings as
he could give. And God blessed this eff
fort. The writer received an invitation ::
Come over and help us. He went;
and to his amazement, found what one
might call ga full greaOn reUIUoE' in pro-
gress. Saints were full of the Holy
Spirit, and sinners were asking after the
way of life. Many were "born" there.
Some are now in heaven because that
Christian man began to hold his prayer
meetings in their destitute neiphbor-
bood." And others still live with their
faces set towards Zion. Time would fail
to tell of the good accomplished.
Now the object of this article is to urge
others to do what they can, under like
circumstances. 1t is hoped that every
one read the article, "Lost Factors" (in
the Central of June 28). We need the
work of eUery one of our people-yea,
Christ Is calling for their service. If
He has allowed their lot to be cast in
some " destitute neighborhood" 1t mag be
Just because He has no " preacher" a0hona
He can send there get. So He sends these,
and says to them Occupy till I come
with more help. The sad cry of scarcity
OF preachers, is in our ears, But the more
sad fact is before us, that in many of our
country neighborhoods, the people are
too poor, too few, or too scattered to call
and maintain minister if one is ready
to go. Let the private members 90 to
work then, and who can tell what will
result "We have no Presbyterian church
in this neighborhood.' But there are
PreSbyte750nS. Let them meet in private
houses, or school-houses, or under arbors
and do a0hat they can, no matter ho1C
httIe. God will not forget In this way
our Home Mission work will be greatly
forwarded. The gentleman of whom
spoke, was plain man. He would have
been sorely troubled if called upon for
a ssPeech" upon any subject. But he
could talk and pray in his simple, honest
fashion, and he did it. God gave him
many souls. Will not this be far better
for you, my brother than the idlinp awav
OF your Sabbaths, or than the selfish en-.
Joyment of staying at home reading vour
Bible with none to share the heavenly
bread?' feel sure that if private Chris
tians will bestir themselves, not only will
great good be done for souls, but here
and there weak places will be strength
ened, and we shall have great news from
the highways and hedges"
One more thought. Here and there
whole counties are without our ministry
churches once strong have dwindled down
50 low that it is impossible for them to
support the preached word. The onh
IIIIoPeJoT such cases IS a1e eUangeh8tI Is
there not one man (if no more) who has
tnis worlds goods and who will conse.
crate a portion sufficient for an evanpe.
lists support? 1t would send sweet
Ieeling down into ones heart to read now
and then the victories won for Christ by
my preacher 1t would be precious
thought that "my money is sending many