The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-08-30
Home Missions.
The Annual Collection for the Evan
gelistic Fund

The Annual Collection for the Evan
gelistic Fund.
This collection is appointed for the
first Sabbath of September, or as soon
thereafter as may be convenient.
The following extract from the report
of the Standing Committee of the Gene
raj Assembly sets forth the condition OF
the work very clearly: cat no time in
the history of our Church has this part
of mission work appeared in the magni-
tude and Importance which it now pre-
sents. Your Committee feel themselves
unable to give to the Assembly in the
limits OF short report, any proper ap-
prehension of the tremendous demands
which are made upon this department of
our mission work. Several overtures
have been placed in your Committee s
hands, urging, in the strongest terms,
that number of evangelists be sent i'm
mediately to Florida, to West Louisiana,
and to Texas, that the destitutions OF
these large tracts of country may be sup
piled. Besides this, your Committee
have learned, by personal representation,
that parts of Alabama, Mississippi, and
Arkansas are now presenting extensive
and most important fields for evangelis-
tic labor. These different sections Of our
country are rapidly filling up with an ac-
tive and energetic population, and we
are urgently called upon to supply them
with the ministrations of the word of life. -
Further on in the report, the following
resolution occurs:
" In view of the fact that large sections of ou1
SOutharu rOr
inviting fields for evangelistic labor, and give
promise of glorious harvest to the faithful
ministration of the word the General Assembly
would call upon its Synods Presbyteries. and
churches to take the most active and energetic
measures to encourage and stimulate our people
to make enlarged and liberal contributions 10
Home Missions, that the demands of this great
work, which now opens up before us in such
magnitude, may be met in a manner worthy
Of the cause"
Such is the appeal which comes to the
Church at this time from our highest
ecclesiastical tribunal 1t is no ordinary
juncture which justifes and inspires this
fervid action The General Assembly
was profoundly moved by the evidence
before it that God, in his providence. is
laying before US the most magnificent
opportunities of usefulness, and is calling
upon us to enter in and occupy the waste
places all about us. "The fields are
truly white to the harvest" Many of
our people are scattered as sheep that
have no shepherd. Multitudes of souls
are perishing in our bounds because they
have no knowledge of the Gospel. Our
Presbyteries on the frontier are becom-
ing discouraged because they cannot OBJ.
tain the means to carry forward the work
Of God. There is call upon every sin
cere Christian and every faithful Presby-
terian to come to the help of this great
work. 1t cannot be doubted that our
people are abundantly able to supply the
means necessary to meet all the pressing
demands now made upon us. Let i'm
mediate and earnest efforts be made TO
press this matter upon every conprega-
tion and to obtain from every Christian
such aid as he may be able to give. Let
every minister and church officer feel
that a personal responsibility devolves
upon him. Let every church member
recognize the fact that the success or fail
ure Of this movement depends in part
upon him. Let all our people come for
ward with generous gifts, according to
their several ability, and there is no
doubt that ample means will be secured