The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-01-31
The Lack of Ministers to Supply
Destitute Places.

Destitute Places.
MesSrS E'ditorS,-The present condi-
tion of the Presbyterian Church should
awaken the anxiety of every lover of the
Church. 1t is, at least, gratifying indi-
cation to witness the interest manifested
by several writers in your paper, in re-
gard to the lack of ministers to supply
destitute places. This is certainly de-
plorable deficiency, but it is not all or
the worst calamity. The want of vital,
practical piety, of simplicity and devo-
ton in worship, and too much conformity
to the world, are likely the most fearful
stumbling blocks. The ostentation and
display of fashion in worship, and self
indulgence to the neglect of the demands
OF the Church, are not very unlike the
condition of the Jews as portrayed by
the prophet Isaiah in the Sd and 5th
chapters of his prophecy. Let every
professed follower of Christ resd that
awful expostulation. If the members OF
the church were faithful to their vows,
we would doubtless have more preachers,
and if elders were faithful, the want of a
minister would be greatly relieved l do
not see the necessity of altering our
standards and licensing laymen. Every
elder is licensed to teach by holding
prayer-meetings Bible-classes, and Sun
day Schools. Every superintendent of a
Sunday School is not only licensed, but
he ought to preach to the school in expo
sition of the golden text and lessons
Elders ought not to fail to call upon
members for contributions to all of our
enterprises. Indeed, they ought to do all
that pastor could do, except formal
monizing and administerir
nances. By all means,
every church and vacant place
with an ordained minister, as God s ap-
pointed means of building up his Church,
and no church should be satisfied with
out pastor. Yet in view of the imprac-
ticability of doing this, I would insist
that the officers and members of every
church should awake to their duty, and
so far as possible supply the deficiency.
Let officers work and pray and get the
members to feel that they should work
and pray. Self-dependence, or rather
personal sense of responsibility and per-
sonal conservation, would infuse life md
spirituality in many dead, cold church,
favored with the ministry of the most
eloquent pastors. Is it not to be feared
that many, very many, protesting Chris
tians depend too much on the pastor, and
expect him to do everything, or only
come up to duty because called on by
him. This is indeed deplorable condi-
ton, but is it not true? How common is
it to see members very prominent and
oficious in the snowy work, such as
feast and fairs, decorating church,
training a choir, ETC., who manifest no
fruit in the humber and less observed
good works of the true Christian How
deplorably deficient in indications of
spiritual growth? Many seem to think
there is no church, and nothing for them
to do, unless they can hear sermon from
the preacher every Sabbath, and there is
no prayer meeting without him. There is
too much reliance on the pastor to do or
to compel us to do those things which we
ought to do cheerfully as privilege and
duty. An old Methodist preacher once
told his congregation that he feared a
good many Of his people expected to hold
to his skirts on the day of judgment,
but, - said he, "I give you notice, on that
day | shall wear roundabout" tt
does appear not at all unlikely, that if
officers and members would come up to
the demands which Providence makes
upon them, by scarcity of ministers, there
would be less complaint, and the priva-
tion overruled by the Head Of the Church
for much good in awakening and quick
ening officers and members. ELDER.