The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-03-08
For the Central Presbyterian.
Our Opportunity.
BY REV RICHARD M'1LwAINE, D. I

BY REV RICHARD NJ ILWAINE, D. D.
The following extract from letter of
the Rev. DR.. Davies, Fayetteville, Ark,
is suggestive. l am sure it will be read
with interest and profit by many
DR., Davies says This part of our State is
improving rapidly. Emigrants are crowding
IN, and towns and villages are springing up as
if by magic.
In company with Brother Houston, our
evangelist, visited Springdale, the next station
on the railroad north of this place the first of
last week. 1t is thriving village, and claims
population of about SIX hundred. 1t has
grown up chiefly in the last year, since the com
pletion of the railroad. Here we found about
twenty Fres6yterlans, anxious to organize into
a church, and to have regular preaching Bro.
Houston expects to visit Sloan this week a CITY
OF the second class, which has sprung up around
one OF our numerous watering places, within the
past two years. l do not think the place has
ever been visited by one of our ministers These
examples will give you some idea of the work
to be done here. / hope you will continue to
urge upon the Church the Importance of push
lng more vigorously, the Sustentation and the
Evangelistic work. 1t is golden opportunity
for our Church all over this State Just now
There should be no dallying. She should put
men at commanding points, wherever they are
needed and not wait for the people to take the
initiative. l hold that a similar policy ought to
be pursued in our Home work, TO that which is
pursued In the Foreign. Look over the field
and had out where we ought to have missiopa
rles, and place them there, and sustain them
until they can establish churches and create a
demand among the people for the Gospel This
KIND OF work Is needed all over the country
and the money and the labor invested in #
would yield glorious return in an incredibly
snort tlne Tny can't our people be brought
to see 1t, and to sustain the Home Mission
cause with their symoathies. their prayers. and
their contributions, as 1t ought to be2 Yours
truly, s. w D,vTre
The statement of Dr. Davies in refer
ence to North western Arkansas, are
equally applicable to many other por-
tions of the field which lies open to our
beloved Church. God has given us a
glorious opportunity. Our territory is
rapidly filling with an intelligent and
thrifty population. Towns and cities are
sprlnglng up all over the land. Open-
lngs for evangelistic work and for per
mently establishing the ordinances of the
gospel, are to be found on every hand
Calls Tor preachers and for aid in extend
ing and establishing the Church, are
coming to us every day. Our Christian
people ought to awake to the great work
lying at our doors Men and means are
greatly needed We sadly feel the need
Of more ministers and Of more money to
sustain them If our Christian people
who have the means will only open their
hearts and their purses, we confidently
believe that the men will soon be found
The are to-day in our Church, at least
hity ministers-perhaps more-good and
effective men in every respect, engaged
IN secular work for support, who would
cheerfully give it up aud devote them
selves wholly to the gospel ministry, if
they could receive a bare support. At
the same time hundreds of weak church
es are vacant and our institutions are
large and increasing. Is not this a call
upon those who have wealth to Give