The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-08-04
Entered at the Post-Office at Richmond, Va, as
second-class matter.
For the Central Presbyterian.
Our Education Cause Again


In his last weeks contribution {" P. @.
R." gave expression to what is fast be-
coming widespread feeling in the
Church.
1t should be emphasized, in the outset,
that the fault is, in no sense, in the ad-
ministration of the Assembly's commit
tee, but inheres in the system. Indeed,
the committee have nothing to do with
the recommendation of individual candi-
dates, nor with fixing the amounts they
merely carry out the instructions of the
various Presbyteries in the disbursement
of funds; nor can it be said that there
has been unfaithfulness on the part of the
Presbyterial committees, upon whom the
responsibility rests. For under the pres
ent system, requiring simple applica-
ton to secure an appropriation, it is i'm
possible to discriminate. The usual rule
is to help all that apply as long as the
money lasts, and to the full extent al,
lowed, il go much be asked for.
1t is not the purpose of this paper to
recapitulate the reasons already given, to
show that this system must, of necessity,
be unhealthy for the candidates and un-
wise for the Church A single fact, how
ever, may be mentioned to show the eU-
tent to which the Church aids her candi-
dates. In the Secretary report to the
last Assembly the astonishing fact was
presented, that of our candidates during
the past year, nearly t1Oo.thirds were re-
ceiving all; ; taOo out of every three !
While agreeing heartily with "P. @.
r. in what was said as to the existence
of the evil and the necessity of abolishing
the present system, two points of objec-
tion present themselves strongly to the
remedy proposed
Q.) The cause should By no means be
deserted. He intimates that he proposes
to stop his contribution to this cause,
and of course would commend his exam
pie to others. We feel sure he will re-
consider this, and we hope nothing that
has been or will be said, will affect the
contributions of the Church. 1t should
not, for the way for loyal Presbyterian
to correct errors in the practical work.
ing of the Church is not to abandon the
cause, but to use his influence for bet
ter system, as "P. @ r" has done in his
able paper; but meanwhile, to be loyal
to even a bungling system. Moreover,
nothing should be done rashly. No
change can be made until the next AS
sembly, and even then 1T would not be
wise to make too radical change. It
would be wiser to set in motion q plan
which would eventually accomplish the
desired end, even if FIVE years were re-
quired for it's contamination.
% A second objection to the plan
proposed is that it looks to private lib
erality alone, to render the necessary aid.
Would it not be better to remand the
whole matter to the Presbyteries2 and
let the weaker Presbyteries transfer some
of their candidates to the stronger, or
else ask aid from the stronger Presby-
teries for special candidates2
Upon this plan, not only would the
good result to the candidates, pointed
out by "P. @ r" of proper apprecia-
tion Of the aid rendered and quicken
ing OF the desire for selfhelp, but it would
be far easier to raise the money needed
Many a church which now barely gives
ten dollars to this impersonal cause,
would readily assume the entire support
OF some promising godly young man, and
the effort would be blessing to both
parties.
This increase Of interest when con-
crete case is presented is equally true of
all the causes. In the others, however,
the very nature of the work requires
combined action (although this secret Of
interest might be used by our secretaries
more than it is) but in the cause before
us, no such necessity exists.