The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1884-02-20
For the Central Presbyterian.
Collection for the Cause of Pub
lication, s.
Ordered by the General Assembly on
the First Sabbath in March. 1894


Ordered by the General Assembly on
the First Sabbath in March, 1884
To the Pastors, Sessions, and CONGREGATIONS OF
the Presbyterian Church IN the United States
Dear Brethren, en,-The time for the an.
nual collection for the Public alton cause
is again near at hand; and in reminding
you of the fact, and inviting your liber-
ality in this behalf, we are able to pre-
sent for your encouragement more hope.
ful condition of affairs than for many
years past. The recent effort to fund the
remaining debt, and to provide the cap
ital necessary for the establishment
and conduct of our depository, has proved
successful, and the present financial con-
dition is far more satisfactory than could
have been hoped for without this meas
ure. The difficulties that stood in the
way of the work of the Church in this de-
partment have been so far removed that
this arm of her influence and power may
be again used effectively; but it must be
clearly understood that the degree of its
effectiveness will depend on the liberal
ity of our people. If the means are fur
nished, we can 60 forward and do great
work for the Church and for the cause Of
Christ.
There are reasons why this cause
should receive increased support at this
time:
1st. Very little, comparatively, has
been done for years past in disseminat-
ing the literature of the Church. While
other denominations have made this
agency great power in advancing their
work, we have been doing almost moth
ing. While our very life, moral and
spiritual, as a people, is assailed as never
before by an infdel and corrupt litera-
ture, we, as Church, are making little
effort to supply the true antidote-a pure
Christian literature.
I'd. The full success of other departments
of Church work, which, if we Judge by
the amounts contributed to their support,
are regarded as of more Importance than
this, cannot be attained except by the
aid of this department. There is no.
ticeable quickening of zeal in the Home
Mission and Evangelistic work of our
Church, but those who best know the
field and its needs are fully aware that
the power of the press would greatly
, aid the power OF the living voice in this
field if it could be freely applied.
Sd. 1t may be accepted as tae settled
conviction Of the Church, as expressed
by our highest courts, that our indepen-
dent attitude as Church is to be main
tanned; that we have work to do that
we can do better as a separate Church
than in any other way but mere resolu-
tions will avail little to the maintenance
of our independence, if we fail to equip
thoroughly all our agencies for the ac-
tive, aggressive prosecution of the work
set before us. If we are to be indepen-
dent, we must not depend upon others to
do this part of our work.
4th. There are now fields calling for
our help, and we are responding to these
calls as fully as we can, but the full
measure of needed work in this direction
can only be accomplished as we are
furnished with the means by the forth.
coming collection. If the amount realized
should be equal to that of former years
it would enable us in some good measure
to meet the wants Of the field but fan
more than has ever yet been given fo1
this cause would be necessary to meet
the need or to fulfil the measure of our
duty as Church.
Some of our Presbyteries, with view
OF prosecuting the colportage work il
their bounds, have directed part of the
collection for the cause to be retained by
the Presbyterial Treasurer, while two OF
three have determined to retain the
whole, so that in some directions there i!
reason to fear that the contributions o
former years may not be realized, though
the help of all is so much needed. VIII
not the churches of those Presbyteriei
where the fund is to be divided make
special effort to increase their contribu-
tions, so that the general work may moi
suffer
Let US, as a Church, see to it that il
this, as in other departments, our work
is fully sustained, so that our mission
field and our needy churches may bt
helped by supply Of our Church litera
ture, and our people generally furnished
the means Of informing themselves il
sound doctrine and OF maintaining the
faith of the Church, so that the influence
of an infdel press may be counteracteC
and the truth Of the gospel everywhere
disseminated.
We earnestly request pastors and ses.
sions to call the attention of their con
gregations to this cause before the time
Of the collection, so that full opportunity
may be given to all our people to con
tribute.
We also request the superintendent
of our Sabbath Schools to take up a col