The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1885-07-15
For the Central Presbyterian.
Foreign Missions.
OFFICE OF FOREIGN MISSIONS,
Baltimore, Md, July 3, '85.

Baltimore, Md, July 3, '85. !
The first quarter of the fiscal year is
Just closed. In spite Of times that are
considered hard, the receipts for the For
eign Mission work have not been dimin-
ished indeed, they have increased slight
ly over those of the same quarter last
year, and the Church is called devoutly
to thank God for the grace given to His
people.
But it will be remembered that it was
in the second and third quarters of last
year-from July to December-that the
financial troubles which gave so much
concern to the whole Church, came on
this cause. There was an increase, almost
unavoidable, in the expense of the work,
and there was decided falling off in re-
ceipts. The result was that serious dan
ger threatened the most important inter-
ests of the missions abroad, and there
was general embarrassment and distress
among all who had part in the work.
1t Is with view to avert the repeti-
ton of this unhappy experience that the
attention of the Church is recalled to
these facts. The receipts for the Foreign
Mission work are a continuous inflow
throughout the whole year. They come
from the monthly concerts of prayer, from
the Sunday schools, from the ladies' So
cieties, from the free-will offerings of
grateful Christians, from the annual col
lections taken up at irregular times, and
from other sources. Let the Church now,
by prayer and by effort, cause this inflow,
instead of diminishing, to increase, to the
praise of Gods grace.
In particular, there is one matter now
pressing Oh US, to which the careful at
tention of every one In the Church is spe-
cially invited. 1t has been stated to
the Church that three young men are
under appointment to go out as mission
aries. Rev R. r. McAlpine, of Alabama,
and Rev. r. B. Grinnan, of Virginia,
have offered themselves to go to Japan !;
Rev. G. w. Thompson, of Tennessee, has
offered to go to Brazil. 1t is now nearly
year since any new missionary was sent
out by our Church. The Church has
prayed the Lord of the harvest to send
forth more laborers the laborers now Of
fer to 60. Every sentiment of loyalty to
our Master and of regard for our own
honor should lead us to send them. They
should go out in the early fall. For the
Executive Committee to borrow money
to send these men out, would be .. viola
ton Of sound business principles, and to
this the Committee cannot consent. 1t
must, therefore, be stated to the Church
now, that, besides the regular contribu.
tons Of the Church, special contribu-
ton of SIS, 900 is needed to send out these
missionaries and start them in their work.
To make arrangements in due time for
their departure, this sum should be raised
within the next two months.
We live In time when God our Sa.
viour is granting rich answers to prayer
The China Inland Mission prayed for
seventy more men for China the mission
got them, and some of them were the
best men of the English universities. The
Church Missionary Society was in need
Of money for It's great work it appointed
a day of intercession, and in answer tC
prayer It's treasury was filled. And now
our own beloved Church sees her OWL
need. Let every true heart among vi
rise in prayer for the supply Of all oui
need let every friend Of Christ renew
his conservation, and the result is sure.
! Very respectfully, M. H. HoUsToN.