The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-07-12
For the Central Presbyterian.
Home Missions.


BY REV. R. N 'ILwAINE, SECRETARY.
Perhaps at no preceding General AS
sembly has the matter of Home Missions
received a more decided impulse than at
that lately convened at Atlanta. There
were present able and earnest men, from
all parts of the Church, who had come
for the purpose of agitating this subject
and of making themselves heard in it's
behalf Many of them were disappointed
in not being able to gain the ear of the
Assembly, because of the late hour at
which the Standing Committees report
came up for consideration, but the field
was ably represented by those who spoke
at the Home Mission meeting on Tues
day night. Rev. ]. H. Bryson, D. D.,
chairman, made an admirable address on
the general aspects of the work, present
ing a birds eye view of the recent devel-
opment of our territory, and of the pros
pective growth which may assuredly be
expected; and impressively depicted the
duty resting upon the Church to arouse
itself to the immense work providentially
thrown upon her in her own bounds
Rev. W. H. Dodge spoke for Florida !;
Rev. R. F. Patterson for the destitutions
of Louisiana and the overhowed district
in the Mississippi bottom, and the Mod
orator, Rev. r. K. Smoot, D. D., for the
empire of Texas. All made excellent ad-
dresses, which were listened to with in
tense interest.
Action Taken by the Assembly.
Among other items of Importance, the
Assembly urged Presbyteries to give an
evening in the presence of the congrega-
tions, at their fall meetings, to the con-
sideration of claims of Home Missions;
enjoined churches to hold the monthly
concert of prayer in the interests of Ms
sioa8-Home as we'll as Foreign-and re-
commended that Home Mission Societies
be formed in all the churches with the
view of securing for this object the sup
port of every member of the Church
These are very important measures, upon
which something further will be said at
future time, and which, if cordially and
generally put into operation, will be
largely promotive of the best interests of
the work.
Overtures
Overtures were before the General AS
sembly from the Presbyteries of Red
River, Dallas, and Western Texas, and
from the Synod of South Georgia and
Florida, calling loudly for men and means
to help them In prosecuting the work
which God, in his providence, is laying
upon them; and from every part Of the
Church there were heard voices urging
the necessity of larger liberality and more
earnest effort in o7ertaking our destitu-
tions and building up our waste places
These appeals were referred to the Elk
ecutive Committee, with directions to re-
spond to them as speedily and literally
as possible.
Pressing Need of Funds.
In these circumstances, the Executive
Committee finds itself powerless unless
our Christian people shall furnish the
means. On the one hand we are urged
by the necessities of the work to 90 for
ward at a largely increased outlay while,
on the other hand, we have already pass
ed the bounds of prudence in responding
to calls for assistance which could not be
resisted Funds are Immediately needed
to aid in the support of more than one
hundred and eighty ministers supplying
our feeble churches, and of ffty-hve evan
gelists in destitute frontier fields. I'm
less assistance is speedily furnished some
Of them will have to be withdrawn, and
it will be impossible, without greatly in
creased receipts, to enlarge the work or
to respond to any OF the many calls made
upon Us. 1t is hoped, therefore, that
these appeals will reach every congrega-
ton and family in the bounds Of the
Church, and that those who are able will
send forward their gifts to the treasury
without waiting for the next annual col
lection. Large amounts Of money are
needed at once to keep the cause from
damage. Our opportunities will not
wait, but if neglected will pass away
Those who love the Church, and are able
TO do 50, are, therefore, urged to make
special contributions for this purpose
it may be there are individuals Of means,
who would like 10 give $780, $3.50, $500