The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-11-08

| 10
have contributed is very large one con,
pared with any amounts we ever raisod
before for the same cause. Can we ~,
pllcate it? My answer is very simnIo
one. There is nothing else left to do
but to go on. To falter now would he
both unmanly and unchristian. 1t wopIJ
show lack Of even the commences
courage and the absence of all faith.
Unquestionably, in the outset manv
did predict failure, claiming that thu
effort was too violent to last, and that
such burning zeal must wane as quickly
as it had grown. They did not see that
God was merely trying us, determining
II we were worthy of our place, and that
all was necessary would be for us to 90
forth IN His strength confident of sue.
cess cess. We have lighted great signal
tre along the line. The spirit manifested
IN Kentucky spread beyond its borders
and probably no one thing has exerted
more energizing effect than this effort Of
Kentucky Presbyterians to evangelize
their State. Synods North and South
have admired our hberality, and on
smaller scale have initiated our agpres.
siveness. The indirect effects Which
have come from our example have Ger.
tainly equaled the direct
Results of Our Own Work.
To-day every principle of fidelity to
the cause of the Redeemer, every Chris.
tan sentiment, every manly impulse de.
mands that we shall not falter in this
work so wonderfully blessed of God
Ten years of such labor and blessing as
the past and we shall have trebled the
number of Presbyterians in Kentucky
The results IN eternity of such work sur.
pass all human means of calculation. and
II known to us would be so amazing as 10
I'LL our hearts with wonder and awe
Found 300 Presbyterian churches in this
State, containing $4,000 members train
these as the doctrines and history of the
church require let them in turn train
their children and children's children
let such an influence and such an agency
be felt In the State, and then consider
the results one hundred, or even 6ftv
years hence, and you will have a com
pany. that can with difficulty be nun.
bered, and power exerted the conse-
quences of which only God can measure
and fix.
Nor is this suggestion fanciful or
imaginative. It's verifcation is within
the limits of a reasonable expectation
Ii we are faithful and continue in we'll.
dong, some Of us who stand in this
presence will see it as brightly as have
pictured.
L believe that God has raised ED this
Synod for this work, and while not nv
self sanguine or expectant of heightened
years, am confident that nv eyes shall
behold these results ere die. If God
has this work for us to do, each one in
his sphere will be immortal until it is
done" His ways are not our ways, His
times are not our times but if we con-
tinue in this service we shall behold
blessings that will fill US with Joy and
exceed even our hopes.
There are Many Difficulties
which present themselves in this work,
but it is clear so far that God is leading
us and we ought unhesitatingly to 90 for
ward. The extension of this cause will
OF necessity require large additions to
our ministerial force. From whence thew
are to come we cannot now see. With
al the scarcity in ministerial candidates,
with the embarrassment we find in sup
plying men to fill these new fields open
ng up, we have but little to do. If the
are organized, if the people are
gathered In, the great head of the church
will take care of the sheep thus folded,
md He will provide the ways and means
or administering the ordinances of His
worship. l am not unaware of the per-
olexities which will arise concerning the
of ministers from other States
% supply our own. Yet, brethren. we
must not forget that God has put us in
his sphere, and He expects and will re-
luire of us full account of that which
lie has committed to our keeping. We
ire only responsible for this field, not for
'thers. Let us, by His help, resolve to
Kentucky, restore Presbyte-
lanism to its proper position, preach the
gospel IN every county in this State,
liant churches wherever the way is
pen, call ministers to supply them, pro-
'lde the means to sustain them, and
cave the remainder of the world and
he Church to the guidance and care Of
Him who knows better than we do what
s best, and how the interests of His
,lngdom on earth are to be protected.
1aVlng done our duty, we can safely
ommlt all the consequences to our God,
Who Makes no Mistakes.
No thoughtful observer can fail to be
with the favorable ,conbina-