The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-06-28

has been, save in few instances, steady
growth IN spirituality and numbers. The
aggregate of additions to the Church on
confession of faith, so far as reports have
been received, Justify the belief that the
past year has been one of substantial
progress.
4. 1t is difficult to express with accu-
racy in single statement, the substance
of the various reports touching intern
perance, worldly amusements, and other
forms of sin. The varying reports in
respect to intemperance, warrant the
hope that within strictly Presbyterian
communities, this evil is steadily de-
creasing. If the cases in which disci-
pline have been exercised for this sin
have been more numerous than in the
past, it is probably not due to the
greater prevalence of drunkenness, but
to great faithfulness on the part of
church Sessions. Where mention is made
of worldly amusement and other forms
of sin, it is in almost every instance
to confess their prevalence and bewail
the injury they are inAicting upon the
Church.
The lamentable extent to which pro-
Tossing Christians conform to the world
in their views and practices, constitutes
apparently the most formidable him
drance to the progress among us of the
Redeemer's kingdom.
5. With mournful uniformity the mar
ratives represent great remissness in the
duty of family worship. In no instance
do we find such general faithfulness in
the matter of household religion as to
satisfy the Presbytery sending It's report.
1t is true that the Presbyteries are care
full to say that the important duty in
question is not wholly neglected, and we
full recognize the fact that the duty itself
is of so private nature that church officers
feel natural delicacy in making inquiry
respecting its observance. Yet the con
viction is forced upon us that to humil-
iating extent there has been a failure to
erect the family altar in the households,
and consequently that many among us
are exposed to that fury" which the
Lord will pour out upon the families that
call not upon His name.
6. In respect to catechetical instruc-
ton, the reports are singularly indef-
mite. Very few distinct statements are
made in reference to the fidelity of par
ents in the Christian training of their
household. And we are left to infer
what few of the reports distinctly af-
firm, that it is becoming more and more
the custom to hand over this sacred
duty almost wholly to the Sabbath
School. In view Of this it is gratifying
to find that in nearly if not quite all our
Sabbath Schools very prominent place
is assigned to instruction IN the Cate
chisms of our Church
T. One of the most painful features of
our spiritual condition is the general
want of reverence for the Lords day.
This is particularly sad because it ex-
tends to positive evils and does not con-
sist simply in a neglect of duties. Sab
bath Dissertation taking the forms of
travel on railroad trains, secular read
ing, social visiting, and worldly recrea-
ton, is as much more deplorable than
many other prevailing evils, as sins of
commission are more heinous than those
of thoughtless negligence.
8. The grace of worshipping God with
our substance, is obtaining cheering de-
velopment throughout the whole Church,
the result is as we must believe of the
faithful preaching of gospel truth and
the quiet prosecution Of gospel work
This demands not only gratitude but in
creased confidence in those means of
grace which have been thus blessed.
9. The restitution of the stated min
istration of the gospel is still in many
portions of the Church very distressing
But earnest attention is given to this
matter everywhere, and systematic eff
forts are making for the supply of these
destitutions. 1t is gratifying to find that
these efforts are attended with success
in many places, but so long as the aggre-
gate number of ministers remains the
same, success in one part of the field
means increased want in others. The
general aspect of the work while by no
means justifying dependency yet calls
upon the Church to pray more earnestly
to the Lord Of the harvest that He would
send forth laborers into His harvest.
10. Few Presbyteries have reported at
all upon the religious instruction of the
colored people. Those which have re-
ported, with few exceptions, indicate
that this cause has not fully enlisted the
sympathies of the Church, and is not re.
ceivlng attention which its importance
deserves. 1t is ground for encourage.
ment and gratitude, however, that there
are some evidences Of growing interest
in the cause