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CHURCH ERECTION.

AN URGENT NEED.

In the annual report of this Board, presented to the General Assembly at Omaha, special reference was made to the Manse Fund, and to the danger that the work so happily inaugurated by its provision would come to an untimely end.

The Manse Fund differs from the General Fund in two very important particularsit is increased, if at all, not from the annual contributions of the churches, but only by such special gifts as are designated by the donors as for this purpose; and it is disbursed not in absolute grants, but in loans to be returned without interest within three years. This provision recognizes the difference economically between a building for worship and a home for a pastor. The latter is essentially productive property, its acquisition by a church meaning an increase either in the income of the pastor or of the church to the amount of the value of the rental, and this amount set aside for three years will ordinarily repay the loan.

The report goes on to say:

It is evident then that the Manse Fund should be considered as a permanent fund, to be returned and used again and again. If this were not so, as no systematic provision is made for annual contributions, a very few months would witness the end of the work that has been entered upon with such bright anticipations. But if the plan of the Assembly can be carried out, and the loans from the fund be regularly returned, then the work, to the extent that the capital will permit, can be carried on perpetually, and the fund reloaned every three years.

During this first year of the work, appropriations have been made for forty-seven manses, the aggregate amount voted being $17,575, or an average of nearly $375 to each church. All of this sum, with the exception of $2700, has been loaned with the expectation that it will be returned.

Against the $26,297 in this fund at the opening of the year, there remains unappropriated at the close of the year but $9767.12, an amount

that will doubtless be exhausted long before the close of the present year.

It is therefore evident that unless the fund is speedily replenished we shall soon be entirely dependent for our ability to aid in manse building upon the return of the loans already made. But even upon the assumption that all loans will be punctually repaid, we shall receive within the year returns only to the amount of about $2000. Manifestly then this fund must be enlarged, or the work must be rapidly curtailed. On the other hand, if from $25,000 to $30,000 could be added to the sum already secured, then, under the rule permitting only loans, the manse work might be considered as permanently endowed. The fund, without further additions, would be sufficient to carry on the work in perpetuity, at least upon the scale attained the present year. To those who have abundant means is it not an incentive to complete this endowment to remember that whatever money is given to the Manse Fund will be a permanent benefaction, repeating again and again its cheering aid, a gift of $500, or even less, ensuring the erection, once in three years, of a comfortable home for the family of some overburdened pastor? As so vital to the comfort and well-being of the wives and children of our self-sacrificing frontier missionaries, should not this branch of the work appeal to the women of our church, whose aid in any worthy undertaking is a guarantee of success?

It was a happy thought of the standing committee to recommend that such fund, as was suggested, should be raised in the form of a memorial to one whose long service in the Board was crowned at its very close by the inauguration of the manse work, in the establishment of which he had been deeply interested.

THE PROPOSED MEMORIAL.

The following action, recommended by the standing committee, was taken by a unanimous and enthusiastic vote:

In view of the long and faithful service, varied and great, of the lamented Rev. Henry R. Wilson, D.D., the first and only secretary of the Board of Church Erection since the reunion, the General

Assembly regards such service as eminently worthy of grateful recognition, and it hereby recommends that, as a suitable memorial, a fund of $50,000 be raised during this centennial year to be added to the Manse Fund, and to be designated as the Wilson Memorial Fund."

It is earnestly hoped that this recommendation will bear immediate and abundant fruit. If our liberal Christian men and women could realize the difficulties that our missionaries upon the frontier and in young towns find in providing shelter for their families, if they could witness the hardships to which women delicately nurtured and young children are exposed for want of homes, if they could know how many churches are in danger of perishing because it is impossible to have a pastor until they can provide a place where he may lay his head, they would be moved to respond to this appeal.

It is the centennial year of our General Assembly, and it will be a year of memorials and memorial services. "Faithful service" assuredly calls for "grateful recognition." What better use can be this year made of consecrated abundance than in one gift to recognize with gratitude the good hand of God through a hundred years, and at the same time commemorate the faithful service of a departed friend, and provide the blessing of a shelter for those who in their patient, self-denying work are carrying to the front the banner of our beloved church?

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from my pen. I am much gratified that the Assembly's committee has brought in a recommendation that a memorial fund shall be raised. As the original mover (in print) of this matter, I beg herewith to pledge the first one hundred dollars to this memorial fund. This is my speech on the pending resolution. Yours very sincerely, A. W. RINGLAND.

DULUTH, MINN.

FURTHER TESTIMONY.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, June 9. The best things of the home missionary meet

ing were, this year as last, kept for the closing

day. The speech of the Rev. William G. Puddefoot was on the need of parsonages in different parts of the West, especially in Michigan. Men and women of refinement have to live in

shanties and dug-outs, in which no respectable, well-to-do eastern farmer would keep his stock, in order to make the beginnings of work that must be done if important future communities are to be saved from irreligion and lawlessness. It is wasteful to build costly churches and homes, and spend so much for non-essentials, when these heroic servants of Christ and humanity have to do their hard and often dangerous 'work with such miserable equipment. Death removes those who can ill be

spared, or survivors are for all their subsequent lives handicapped with disease, because of these needless exposures.

From the Presbyterian.

A GOOD PLACE TO PUT MONEY.

A trip from where the "blue Juniata" is fed by crystal streams issuing from Tussey and Canoe mountains to the classic halls of Princeton is delightful in "the merry month of May." And the commencement of the theological seminary furnishes a refreshing draught from the fountain of youth. I will not speak of Princeton, but of the very cradle of American Presbyterianism-Snow Hill.

The news that workmen were pulling down the ancient church there caused me to turn my face away from the Juniata and toward the Pocomoke. So I hastened south to see the last of a building around which clustered many sacred memories-memories of the dead that lie around in peaceful slumber; memories of conversions, and communions, and Sabbath services of griefs and joys, of sufferings and triumphs in and for the gospel.

When I arrived the roof was down and the bare walls looked pitifully to heaven and drew

tears from many eyes as the workmen lowered the last square and massive timbers put up by the unskilled builders of ninety-two years ago. How they toiled and sacrificed to erect it in 1795! How sorely they were pinched when it took five years of a rest before they could furnish it! And the brave and true hearts of a century ago are at rest; their dust in the churchyard clustering around their monument, and their names on the church records below and above. It is a sacred spot and solemn occasion. Inside those walls I have often preached to four hundred persons. That was the measure of the congregation of the fathers a century ago. Though the roof was down the bell still held its place, and its sweet tones floated on the balmy air, sending out its last invitation from those walls to the willing worshippers.

The county commissioners had kindly opened the court-house to the homeless flock who mingled their smiles and tears-tears for the dear old home fast crumbling away, smiles at the prospect of soon having a better one. The faithful and true were all there, worthy descendants of worthy ancestors; a large part of the town was there, expecting me to say something of the old church, and the old times, and the old, old story. As I tried to do so the old church stood ever before my mind's eye in all its plainness-I will not say ugliness. I once suggested the latter word to an old lady, as old as the church, and she said, "Don't say it; anything I love cannot be ugly!" And a young lady of the most refined taste once said to me, "I love every brick in it."

Many and stirring were the emotions of the hour. For over two hundred years a little flock has worshipped here, ministered to by Makemie, and Davis, and Hampton--the thirty settled ministers and the many occasional supplies.

Snow Hill is the true cradle of American Presbyterianism. We believe that here Makemie built his first church, and we know that Snow Hill presented to an American presbytery the first call for a minister, and had the first regular installation by authority of that presbytery. And the Presbytery of Snow Hill was one of three which constituted the first synod. These things were urged on the congregation as reasons for doing all they possibly can. They have done and are doing that. About $7500 have been raised.

I now urge the same things as reasons why Presbyterians throughout the land should contribute enough in addition to this to erect a

church which shall be at once adapted to the wants of the congregation and a suitable memorial of Makemie.

The General Assembly should not dissolve without rendering assistance. Help is needed and the cause is worthy. Contributions may be sent to United States Senator E. K. Wilson, Snow Hill, Md. Every loyal Presbyterian who can should do something. Then when the new church is complete, and the old bell rings out its next invitation from the new steeple, the noble band of workers and worshippers will bless every helping hand. If I were beyond the sea its tones would be carried with electrical speed and would surely draw me to the dedication. Then we shall sing joyfully the hymn sung at the last service in sadness, "I love thy kingdom, Lord.”

SNOW HILL, MD., May 16, 1887.

DAVID CONWAY.

FROM THE FIELD.

STERLING, DAK.

The

The new Presbyterian church at Sterling was dedicated on Sabbath, May 1. A large audience gathered in the handsome chapel and enjoyed the interesting exercises. Some of those present rode twelve miles, which, in view of the severe weather, showed a commendable interest. The sermon was preached by Rev. C. B. Austin. Rev. W. T. Gibson, pastor of the church, made a financial statement and offered the dedication prayer. building seats about 175, and is a great credit and ornament to the town. The cost was nearly two thousand dollars, most of which came from eastern friends and from the Board of Church Erection. A tablet to the left of the pulpit has this inscription: "This church, as a memorial to Nancy Milliken Reed, was built A.D. 1886, from funds mainly contributed by her children." The names of the children are Samuel Milliken, Jr., James Milliken and Miss Marion Milliken. Liberal donations came from Mrs. Mary Marshall, of Allegheny, Pa.; Mrs. Robert Beattie, of Philadelphia, Pa.; the First Church of Philadelphia, personal friends and Sunday-school of Lewistown, Pa., and the Presbyterian Sunday-school of Fremont, O. The church at Sterling has reason to be greatly encouraged, and under the efficient pastor will be sure of a future of great usefulness.

SILVER REEF, UTAH, May 21, 1887.

REV. E. N. WHITE, D.D.

The check and receipt covering the grant for $150 came to-day and has taken a great burden off

my shoulders. May God richly bless the Board of Church Erection and all who contribute to it! It is the most practical agency in our church. We have now in this place a pleasant chapel and reading-room, and a large and comfortable parsonage free from all debt. The receipt, when signed by the elder Geyer, will be sent to the treasurer. Yours most cordially,

A. B. CORT.

SAN BUENAVENTURA, CAL., June 2, 1887. DEAR BROTHER:-Your kind letter of May 24 was welcomed yesterday, informing me that our Saticoy application has been granted and in full. If you have not been placed in a correspondingly trying position, you cannot appreciate the thrill of joy your letter gives me, and will to the little church there when I read it to them next Sabbath. And then your added words, "with congratulations and best wishes." Such words help us foundationlayers enormously. We are determined to pay all without a "collection" on dedication day. Will lift till we see stars to prevent it. The Lord bless you and keep you, and all the supporters of your noble Board.

Yours,

F. D. SEWARD. ARBUCKLE, CAL., June 3, 1887.

REV. E. N. WHITE, D.D. DEAR BROTHER:-Enclosed you will find receipt signed by trustees. The check came all right. Please extend to the Board of Church Erection the heartfelt thanks of all our members, the trustees, and Rev. E. M. Knox, together with his family. We shall never forget the Board for its loan. A parsonage could not have been erected here without the loan. As soon as I can get the

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diction. He was loyal to the powers above him, but good-humored toward his Protestant neighbors; so he promptly and sternly answered their petition with a refusal, declaring that what they asked was contrary

to law. But he added in milder tones, and perhaps not so loud, "If you should build a church and not put any steeple on it, perhaps I should never see it."

Protestant church steeples are quite in sight now in Missouri; perhaps they will yet be in Austria.

MINISTERIAL RELIEF.

From the Omaha Republican, Thursday, May 26, 1887. MINISTERIAL RELIEF AT THE ELDERS' MEETINGS, DURING THE SESSIONS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AT OMAHA.

The subject under discussion at the elders' meeting yesterday and this morning, in the Second Presbyterian Church, was ministerial relief. There was a very large attendance at both sessions.

By invitation, Dr. Cattell, Secretary of the Board, addressed the meeting. He began by saying that while there were many things in common between the elders and pastors with whom they were so intimately associated in the sacred care of God's house, there was one great difference. "Each one of you," said he, "in starting out in life chose a profession or some business occupation that promised you at least a competence, if not wealth. Your choice was doubtless made after prayerful deliberation, but it was a choice of one of the avenues that lead to wealth. But your pastor chose a calling remote certainly from all such expectations -content indeed if by close economy he could make both ends meet at the close of the year." The doctor then spoke at some length of the great and noble calling of the minister, but it was evident to every one who thought upon the subject that the inadequate support of most ministers and the peculiar expenses necessitated by their position in society precluded the possibility of laying by anything for sickness or old age. Few of those whom he was addressing had before them the same prospect the pastor had before him, should he be stricken down by sickness in the midst of his years or spared to reach old age with its many infirmities.

He gave some instances of want and suffering in the homes of honored servants of the church, which he had not learned from others, but had himself seen. There were many more such homes, side by side with the ceiled houses of the elders and others of God's people who were making money to provide for themselves in sickness or old age and for their families. Doubtless this was done with the same prayerful conscientiousness with which the pastor devoted himself to his sacred calling, but, said he, "if the money comes to you and not to him, will

you not see that when laid aside from his work there shall be some comforts sent to his sick bed, some provision made for his helpless old age, some support for the family he may at his death leave without a dollar?"

And the elders had taken hold of this sacred work of ministerial relief in earnest. They were, of course, interested in all the boards of the church, but he emphasized the reason why ministerial relief had a special claim upon the eldership.

He then gave a brief account of the inception of this movement among the elders during the sessions of the General Assembly at Cincinnati in 1885, also at Minneapolis last year, and gave accounts of elders' meetings and conventions held in various parts of the country that he had attended, calling special attention to those at Chicago and at Baltimore-a full report of which, taken from the papers, had been appended to the report of the Board laid before the present Assembly.

He argued hopefully for this sacred cause from all these movements, though, of course, success would depend largely upon the persevering and well-directed efforts of a few elders in each association. In more than one instance that promised great and permanent results, the whole matter had been quietly allowed to drop because the chairman of the meeting or of the executive committee was too busy to attend to it, or had lost his interest in the sacred work. It is marvellous what even one elder in a presbytery can accomplish who has a real heart interest in this cause, who keeps himself fully informed about it, and who has the "staying qualities" essential to success in carrying out any enterprise. In conclusion Dr. Cattell said:

No one present at the General Assembly that met in Cincinnati year before last will soon forget the venerable form of Elder Stevenson, from Philadelphia, or the earnest part he took in the deliberations-especially all matters connected with ministerial relief. He had a great respect for the office of the ministry, and a great love for ministers themselves, whom he was in the habit of calling "God's dear ministers." Like most men of strong convictions his manner was often abrupt, but his heart was warm, generous and full of the tenderest and most sacred sympathy with our sick and aged breth

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