The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1884-12-24
For the Central Presbyterian.
Sustentation.
The January Contribution.

Inc OBJECT OF tnlS contribution is TO put
Christianity, as interpreted and held by
us, into the future of this great and grow
ing country. This we do by uniting to-
gether as a whole church in the work of
sustaining our weak churches, until they
can sustain themselves.
A recent visit of nearly seven weeks
to the South west, revealed more and more
the greatness of our opportunity and of
our responsibility. In Texas e. q. the
population is increasing by perhaps one
hundred and fifty thousand per year
We have single Presbyteries there as
large as the State of Virginia. One OF
these has one stretch of railroad nearly
600 miles long, with new, rapidly grow
ing towns springing up along, not only
that but along other lines.
Our work there has told
as follows: One field in which highly
esteemed minister (from Monterey, Va.)
has been sustained for two or three years,
now has its church erected and with two
added points becomes self-sustaining, with
hopeful future Another Gn charge OF
minister from North Carohna) will ask
for $3.50 to complete its church The
congregation has provided manse, dou-
bled its salary, will ask little more aid
and then be selfsustaining. Another, in
which minister (from South Carolina)
has been sustained for three years past,
has now three churches instead of one,
and will ask for aid during only one mole
year. Another, the city of Fort Worth,
has gone in population IN eleven years
from 1000 to, 5000. The first church
there undertook to establish second
church. 1t was organized year ago,
"a feeble folk" 1t now has building
in which they worship, but not completed.
The builder had waited patiently but
could wait no longer for balance due
him Of 1880 The parties were unable
to meet the debt. I promised to furnish
them with $400 in January, on condition
that they raise the other $50 and return
one hundred dollars to our treasury by
next October, and this they agreed to do.
A little more help will be needed to sus-
tain their excellent pastor, and within
another year, under Gods blessing, this
church too will be self-austaining. All
these churches, we have reason to hope,
will In few years be strong and inhuen-
tial. There are many counties in that
State In which we have no minister, Cor
at best only one) where two or three min
listers would, if sustained for two or three
years, organize in that time, under the
blessing of God, self-snstaping pastorates.
There are FIVE other Presbyteries in Tex
as of which similar statements could be
made.
In Arkansas
new railroads have recently opened no
whole sections of the State where Home
Mission work is needed. One evangelist
stated at the meeting of Presbytery that
1T was mistake to suppose that the
ground was occupied by other denomina-
tlons, If not by US. He had recently
made an appointment to preach in a
school house, In section where, for ten
mi es square, there was no preaching at
all.
The Mississippi Bottom
and the cane-brakes OF Louisiana, on both
sides of the river, have also been opened
by three long leading lines of railroad
Brethren there write to this Office Inn
ploring us to help them in their desire to
occupy number of new and important
places along these lines, which must be
occupied by us moaO, if we are to be inAu-
entail there in the future.
In Florida
on all sides the necessity for prompt ac-
ton appears. One minister thus states
the case as to his immediate part of the
State: C New places springing up like
magic. One family resided, in January.
last, in the woods, six miles from neigh.
Dor. In July, two stores, saw-mill, post
Office, and forty residences. Another
place. woods twelve months ago, now a
railroad junction, new depot, three hotels,
several stores, no church" The first de-
nomination proposing to build, will re-
ceive the sympathy and aid of the gen
eral public. Another minister told me
Of his situation in a growing town. He
has an organized church, but no house of
worship and cannot hope for growth
until building can be erected. We will
be asked to aid them.
We do not propose
to furnish preaching and buildings for
these people, but only. after they have
done what they can Tor themselves, to
and them-to help them for few years
until they they can sustain themselves,
and help in turn to sustain others.
Now come back to Virginia
and read letter from a gentleman who
says, learn that in this county there
are 40 or 80 scattered Presbyterian fam
lies At this place and vicinity there
IL