The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-07-26
For the Central Presbyterian.
What is to be Done 3?
BY REV. II. II. HAYES.


Something out of the ordinary course
should be done that our weaker churches
may not suffer loss-perhaps perish. 1t
has become exceedingly hard for weak
church to keep its minister. This is es-
pecially the case in the country districts.
Comparatively few realize how poor many
of our country churches have become.
The tendency to move to towns, on the
part of the people, or to other more pros
porous States, has increased the trouble
very greatly. The fact before us is that
the contributions offered after the ordin-
airy plan, do not suffice for our wants.
Here is an illustration: A weak church
promises $500 to its pastor. If this
amount is fully paid who does not know
that it is not enough to support even
small family? But this pastor says I" I
can live on $500" Accordingly appli-
cation is made to the Sustentation Com
mittee for the diference-$150. But
because there are other churches IN the
same condition. the application must be
seated, and the amount supplied is only
$50. For the ordinary plan of contrib
uting to this cause, does not furnish
enough money to enable the Committee
to do more. The next thing we hear is :
1t is absolutely impossible for me to
stay with my church; for 1 cannot live
on the salary" tits all true. Then fol-
lows a seeking for some other field, and
this weak church is left to go to ruin.
THE danger IS increasing rapidlyi What
ever may be done in other States, here
we are not even holding our own fairly
much less are we making good progress
What is to be done? The answer is with
Gods people in the stronger churches
Say that one hundred and fifty dollars
are needed to keep minister at his post
If the Sustentation Committee can fur
nlsh only nifty dollars OF thir amount, ~
there not church ia the same Presby-
terry with this weaker one, which can
supply the balance? If this stronger
church has one hundred and fifty, or
more members, surely IN the course of q
a0ho5e gear, by little care on the part
OF each member, one hundred dollars can
be raised without Interfering with the
stated collections Will not our larger,
stronger churches adopt some of the
weaker ones thus2 Great suffering and
loss will be saved by this, or some better
plan which another may suggest. The
matter IS becoming very Se,5ou8I There
is need that Gods people shall awake to
the fact that our present plan of Susten-
tation is not supplying enough money for
our destitutions. Very often we may
hear some one say: eff I were only rich,
would make the barren places to
bloom" My brother, do you know of
any such place? If SO, 90 to a0ork and
make 1t bloom. Do this by giving and
doing all that you can for it at once Do
not wait to get rich. Souls are perishing
and churches are falling to ruin while
you take time to say, " If" Offer your
extra dollar now, and talk to others of
the barren place A little faithful
talking will get help But as our min
listers know of these needy fields better
than others, the suggestion is here most
respectfully offered that they tell of them
to their people, and interest themselves
In this extra work. lie aOho fairl IN
Str1cts his people, can put faith IN them
They deserve and will reward the faith
by doing something for every good object
presented by their pastor to them. Is it
true that only one hundred dollars are
needed to keep some pastor and his
church from separating? Why, there
are lnd5U5daIaI Christians in abundance,
who can spare that amount yearly, if
they will ! Let them be plainly and
faithfully informed of the sore need, and
can it be, that with the love of God in
their hearts, and His money in their
pockets, they will fail to respond? Breth-
rem, the time has come when the regular,
yearly contribution must be followed by
something else. 1t will not do to allow
our weak churches to be constantly rob
bed Of their pastors by the churches
which are able to do this because they
can afford larger salaries. But this is
the work now going on steadily. And
if something is not done to help the weak,
the day is not far distant when we shall
have vast sections all around us which
have degenerated into missionary fields,
6terally/ All that our ministers ask is
=" a saJa,y upon 0hich one cam hue." Many
of them are, this moment in dire need
because their people cannot support them
and the collections, from which aid is to
come, are far short Of the needs in the
case. If these brethren cannot be sus.
tanned in our Synod, they must seek Other
States. If they cannot live in our Pres
bytery, they must leave it, and also leave