The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-11-01

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During the decade from 1870 to 1880
nearly approximate to the above, and en-
bracing several years of great financial
and industrial depression, population in
creased as follows: in Maryland, 1877 per
cent; in Virginia, 234 per cent; and in
West Virginia, 27.6 per cent; or on an
average in the three States in which this
Synod lies of 27.6 per cent. The above
figures reveal the pleasing and encourag-
ing fact that the ratio of increase in the
communicates for the ten years from
1872 to 1882 is Ga per cent greater than
that Of the population for the ten years
from 1870 to 1880. But we cannot re-
sist some sense of modification and anxi-
ETY. when we see that the number of our
churches has increased in a ratio of SO
per cent less than population; your min
listers &c per cent less than population;
and that the number Of your hcentiates
and candidates is each actually .35 less,
or relatively to population, 62.6 per cent
less, for the decade from 1872 to 1882
than the population for the decade from
1870 to 1880.
AS our ministers are already fully &C.
cupied in their present charges, and nu-
merous populous fields are inviting us to
their cultivation, the tendency to de-
crease, IN the number of our hcentiates
and candidates above demonstrated, be-
comes serious, if not an alarming fact.
1t ought to stir every conscience, arouse
every energy and PROSTATE the Church
on Bonded knee before the Lord of the
harvest In prayer that He would "send
fOYfh l. .
Its argument too borrows force from these
further. considerations. In the decade
from 70 to 80, there were 1925 miles of
railroad constructed in the three States
occupied by this Synod. In 1881 alone,
422 additional miles of railroad were con-
structed. Many more miles are projected
Mines are developing the untold treas
ures OF our mountains; FORCES are kind
ling their fires; mills and factories of
various sorts are building or enlarging
to convert the crude products of our fields
and our forests into convenient articles of
commerce, of wealth, or of consumption.
The bright hope of prosperity and power
is quckenlng the enterprise Of our peo-1
pie. Enormous investments are inviting
large immigration of artizans who, with
their families and by their productive
labors, will swell both our population and
our wealth. All this must greatly in
crease, if it does not multiply, our work
before the end of this generation.
While contemplating this great in
crease of work, we rejoice that we are not
alone, but that other evangelical demon
nations are co-laborers with us in leav-
ening the mass. Nevertheless we are re-
sponsible for all that we can do. And
the question, Shall this Church keep pace
with the world? interests every Presby-
terrain. God is giving us splendid oppor-
t5unltIies; but splendid opportunities bring
dreadful responsibilities. How are we
meeting them so far?
1t is believed that your Pres5yterieS
as such, are doing good work. Without
neglecting the pastoral they are pushing
with more or less zeal and success the
evangelistic work Your ministers, too,
are showing more and more of the evan
gelistic spirit. This work, however, is
increasing its demands beyond the
strength of your present number of min
listers, some Of whom, though young, are
breaking down in the effort to extend
their labors. Still it appears that Co.
% of your churches gave absolutely moth
ing to the Evangelistic Fund last year,
and that Of these As had pastors or sup
plies either stated or evangelistic. This
fact fixes much responsibility for failure
IN contributions upon ministers, and calls
for correction. These 90 churches have
2,463 members, or about 10 per cent of
the whole.
How our people are meeting their re-
sponsibility finds answer chiefly in the
amount contributed and the sums given
to the ministry. With increasing wealth
they gave an average of 20 cents per
member. One in about ten of them
gave absolutely nothing as shown above,
and there is every reason to suppose that
the ratio of delinquents is much larger
Twenty-Five per cent Of churches gave
nothing. Deducting these members from
the whole membership, and it still APP
pears that the average contributions Ct
the members Of those churches which did
contribute is only q cents per member
AS to candidates for the ministry, the
primary responsibility rests upon Chris
tian parents. How they are meeting
this responsibility is painfully exhibited
in such facts as these: with member
ship increased in ten years "a, in fUe
years IL, in one year something less
than one half Of one per cent our church
shows decrease of both licentiates and