The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1884-12-31
For the Central Presbyterian.
An Appeal to the Churches.


Church. Without it all our machinery
for extending the kingdom of God, and
saving the souls of men, would be useless
Without constant and adequate supply
of ministers, the Church can make no
progress, either in our own, or foreign
lands. We have the divine warrant for
deserving and praying and working for
more -laborers, because the harvest is
great and the laborers are still few. A
short time ago, when the number of our
candidates was becoming less every year,
1T weighed heavily upon the heart of the
Church. Our beloved Southern Zion
mourned, because the number coming
into service every year was barely suffi-
Gent to fill the places made vacant by
death. The people of God began to cry
unto the Lord of the harvest for more la
= borers to be sent forth into the field.
The Lord hearkened and heard their
prayers. Now for the last three years
there has been regular increase in the
number of candidates. And although the
number is by no means adequate to the
needs of the Church, the grave question
confronts US, will the Church give suffi-
Gent help to those who are already APP
pealing to her for help2
Attention is called to the following ex-
tracts from the address of the Secretary
of Education delivered in October last to
the Synods of North Carolina, Kentucky,
Missouri, Virginia, Mississippi and Ar
kansas. This address was read to the
Executive Committee of Education and
approved by them in September After
speaking of the condition of the work for
several years past, and the straits into
which the Committee was brought last
year by the increase of candidates and
of the liberal, additional contributions of
the churches of New Orleans, Nashville,
Louisville, Memphis, and few at a distance
by which the Committee was enabled to
pay its appropriations in full, the Secre-
tary declared, But it is obvious for many
reasons that this experiment cannot be
repeated. The Committee would not
feel Justified in calling again on those
brethren who are within easy reach, to
bear the burden that should rest equally
upon all"
The address then states: "Up to this
date, October 1st, ninety-fve candidates
have been enrolled, and the Committee
has appropriated $12,73O for their aid.
Nearly all the applications for aid this
year have been for the maximum $3.50
If we are called upon to aid as many as
one hundred and thirty candidates, the
Committee will need fully $4,000"
Brethren, Is not the increase of candi-
dates an answer to our prayers, and does
1t not bring upon the Church the sacred
duty of aiding them in their preparation ?
AS ministers we know what it is to be
cramped in pecuniary matters We know
how hard it is to~make ends meet. Many
a minister has felt Inundated for having
to go In debt for his bread and meat.
Shall the Church commence this process
with her candidates? Shall any OF these
young men study on from week to week,
without knowing how he is to pay his
hoard Must they buy books on a credit,
or go without them? Must they be
Inundated by having to make personal
application for help as [ know many of
them have to do? If the Church were
giving them 5000 each, it would not be
more than enough to cover travelling ex-
penses, board, washing, fuel and book bill.
The Church knows with absolute certain
ty that there Is no chance for them to
squander money, when they receive but
$15O."
Aagain, "If from lukewarmness in the
cause, or failure to aid the candidates we
have, there should again be a falling off
In the number of candidates, what a ca
lamity to our Church Vacant halls in
our colleges, vacant halls in our semina-
ries, vacant churches, urgent calls from the
home and foreign fields, and few to re-
spond to these calls.
Again The Committee Qast year,
might have made sure of having enough
to pay their appropriations by not prom
ising more than 800 to each candidate,
but we felt this would be great hard
ship upon many, and that it would him
der some from going forward with their
studies.
We felt in our hearts that $3.50 was
little enough for any candidate, who was
dependent wholly or chiefly on the Com
mittee
We have accordingly promised that
much to every candidate for whom it has
been asked by his Presbytery. Have we
done wisely2 If so, then comes the ques-
ton what shall we do, if it shall appear
by the first of February that our receipts
will not be sufficient to pay our appropri-
ations2 Shall we sayto tt ese candidates,
The churches have not given us money
enough to pay you all, and we must knock
% per cent. off of the amount promised
your Brethren, this would be cruel to