The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1892-08-10
For the Central Presbyterian.
Rather Startling.

In looking over the contributions
of the churches in the Synod of
Virginia to the fund of Sustenta-
ton for the last twelve years, it APP
pears that during the six (fiscal)
years 1881 to 1886 inclusive the
Synod sent to the central treasury
for this one fund $5S,84S. The
Presbyteries drew back for use with
In Synodical bounds $40,S26, and
$1S,O22 (total), or an average of
about $4,000 per year, was left to 60
to the support of Sustentation work
in frontier fields.
During the last six fiscal years,
1887 to 1892 inclusive, the Presby-
teries in the Synod have contributed
$47,373 and have drawn $4,000;
thus for the last six years the Synod
has left to go abroad the sum total
of 1888, an average of not quite
1914 per year
Now the month of August, 1892,
is upon us asking under direction
of the General Assembly for col
lection for Sustentation. Fifteen
thousand dollars are needed, of
which $4,000 are wanted for the
work In the very weakest and from
tier fields. There are about $4,000
church members enrolled in the
Synod of Virginia; thirteen hun
dred of these are elders, eleven hun
dred are deacons. Some pastors
and sessions may be disinclined to
take this collection. Brethren, lust
look at the above figures if you
please, and see that for six years
past the church contributions of
the Synod have left 1914 per year
for the great Sustentation work of
our church in all of our frontier
fields. Shall the average for this
fiscal year be no greater?
More than $4,000 of the $4,000
now wanted for frontier work, is
wanted to make up to 65 ministers
the 40 per cent. discounted from
their last half-year's salary.
Of the $4,000 communicates in
Virginia many are old, feeble, poor,
or are children and young people
(several it may be in one family,
non-producers. Many are in vacant
churches or scattered through low
lands and mountains, seldom hear
ing a sermon, seldom if ever hear
ing of collection for benevolent
causes. But there are probably
eight thousand men and women
among those $4,000 communicates,
in the vigor of life, in the enjoy
ment of full church privileges and
many blessing, and well to do in
financial affairs. Can these eight
thousand be reached so as to have
them consider this matter? Pastors
In many cases will tell their con-
gregations of it, and an opportunity
will be given to contribute through
the church collection. This article
may reach others who are away
from home or who will not be pre-
sent in church. It may reach some
in whose home church no collection
will be taken. May we not now ask
eight thousand Virginia Presby-
terians to contribute this month
either through their church collec-
tiOns or by sending directly to the
treasurer, w. A. Powell, Atlanta,
CAP If you choose to do so, send
to Mr.. Powell for the 40 per cent.
fund, and it will go directly towards
aiding the sixty-fve ministers
(sixty-one of whom are in Florida,
Mississippi, Arkansas and Texas
from whose last payment a reduc-
ton of 40 per cent was necessarily
made. Think of Virginia Presby-
terians giving for six successive
years the sum of 1914 per year an
average of $21 40 for each of her ten
Presbyteries for Sustentation work
outside of her own boundsl A
knowledge of the facts and concerted
action only are needed. May this
hope be expressed that no reader of
this article will lay it down with
out taking steps to respond at once.
It may be that the collection was
taken in your church last Sunday. |
Perhaps you can add to your con-
tribution then made.
The above figures show that the
Presbyteries composing the Synod
have contributed for this one cause
81, Ats less during the last six years
than they gave during the six previ
Gus years, and that they drew back
for home use $5,263 more in the last
six years than they drew i'm the six
previous years. 1t is all right TO
have more work going on at home
over this all should rejoice, but
cl~rTJ a. 80; L..ts<,..~