of $7 30 per member as the fair minimum for the pastor, and that all cases of flagrant neglect be treated by the Presbytery as the case may be, reporting the same to the Synod and General Assembly. By this means we aim to make the churches self-sustaining as rapidly as possible. A case may be mentioned which we would fain believe is rare in our Church a membership of 200, owning forty first-class farms, promising only $625 salary, and pretending actually to pay only $400 or $500 of this, and at the time of reporting to your Committee not a cent of the salary had been paid for 1870, and part of 1869 was yet unpaid, and this not on the frontier, but in one of our old States. And whereas it is believed that much of the deficiency in funds comes from a failure to Presbyterianize and popularize our finances with a view to enlisting all the people; therefore, V. It is provided, That every church session, as a condition of aid from this scheme, shall in co-operation with the trustees or other representatives of the congregation appoint a Committee, who shall institute and carry out a plan of weekly or monthly contribution to this object and to all the Boards of the Church, so as to present to every member of the church and congregation the opportunity of such stated contribution, according to the apostolic order (1 Cor. xvi. 2); that so every church seeking aid may give every reasonable assurance of self-aid, as an ordinance of worship in the way of God's appointment, and according as it has gone well with them. VI. That in like manner not only such churches as are aided by this scheme, but every church session, be required by the General Assembly to set on foot forthwith and earnestly to prosecute a plan that shall extend to every member of the congregation an opportunity of contributing to this cause (and to all the Boards of the Church), either by the envelope system or by collectors reaching each in person, and that the Presbyteries be enjoined to see to it that this requirement is complied with. Many of our churches give nothing to our great schemes of beneficence. Many in our best churches are not reached by the ordinary method. It is the plain duty of the officers to afford to each worshiper the opportunity to contribute, and every church has a right to this means of education and cultivation in the divine life; and then the mites are mighty. "The power of the littles," as Chalmers pleaded for it, wrought such distinguished success for his church schemes. VII. To cultivate the principle of ministerial fraternity and sympathy, that each pastor shall aim to secure from his people an amount equal to at least one-twentieth (and rather one-tenth) of his own salary annually toward supplementing the salaries under this scheme. VIII. That each church be required to report through the Presbytery to the General Assembly the pastor's salary actually paid by them for the year, and any arrearage if there be any, and that this be published in a separate column of the Assembly's minutes year by year. This is regarded as of great importance, in order thus to lay bare the whole subject to the eyes of the Church at large and of the individual churches; that thus each church may compare what they are doing with the membership and with the average of other churches, so that the delinquent may be stimulated by such needful statistics to a higher aim. IX. That each Presbytery shall appoint one efficient member, whose duty it shall be to examine every application for aid under this scheme, and to report to the Presbytery full information as to the prospects of the church for usefulness and growth, and as to the possibility of consolidation or association with a neighboring church, and as to the amount of selfhelp, with other conditions, entitling it to aid under this scheme; also to receive moneys from the churches of the Presbytery, and to remit monthly to the Central Sustentation Committee. X. That a Central Committee of Seven be annually appointed by the General Assembly to supervise this work, having a secretary, appointed by the Assembly, to conduct the operations, to keep accounts with the presbyterial treasurers of sustentation, and every way and by all means to further the great object in view.-1871, pp. 564-567. Rev. Melanchthon W. Jacobus, D. D., LL.D., was elected secretary of the Committee on Sustentation.-ib., 587. IX. COMMITTEE ON BENEVOLENCE AND FINANCE. The Committee was established by the Assembly of 1871, p. 551, and a plan of proceeding adopted. In 1872 the Assembly Resolved, 1. That in order to the systematizing and developing of the liberality of our people and fostering the aggressive interests of our Church in accomplishing the work assigned us in the providence of God, there shall be a Committee on Benevolence and Finance, which shall consist of fifteen members, composed largely of business-men of acknowledged skill in the management of financial affairs. It shall be located in the city of New York, and it shall be its duty to use all proper means to promote throughout the Church the regular and systematic consecration of property to the Lord, and to superintend the collection of funds for the whole benevolent work of the Church, the contributions to be sent either directly to the treasurers of the several Boards and Committees of the Church or to this Committee for distribution, according to the direction of contributors, which distribution shall be at least monthly. The treasurer of the Board of Home Missions is designated as the treasurer of this Committee. Resolved, 2. It shall receive regular monthly statements of their receipts from all the Boards of the Church, that the financial condition of these Boards, as well as the actual benevolence of each congregation, may be at all times before the Committee. Resolved, 3. The expenses of said Committee shall not be a charge upon any funds, unless expressly given for this purpose. Resolved, 4. The Assembly enjoin upon all the churches the practice of periodical giving to all causes recommended by the General Assembly, according to the principles commended in the word of God. Resolved, 5. In order to carry out this plan, the General Assembly enjoin upon every Presbytery to appoint a Standing Committee on the benevolent work of the Church, of which the stated clerk shall be secretary. It shall be the duty of this Committee to use all means in its power to have brought before all the congregations in the Presbytery the plans that may be recommended for securing contributions, and to give each pastor and session information of the wants of the various objects and what is expected of each congregation. Every Presbytery is required to question each pastor, stated supply and elder present, at every stated meeting in the spring and fall, whether the directions and recommendations on this subject have been complied with, recording the answers on the minutes. Resolved, 6. At least as often as once every six months these Standing Committees shall report to the Committee on Benevolence and Finance, so far as they can, in relation to the different objects for which contributions have been made by the churches within the limits of their respective Presbyteries, with the amount contributed for each, together with such other information as to the general benevolent work of their churches and Presbyteries as shall seem necessary, or shall be called for by the Committee. Resolved, 7. No church not complying with the directions of the Assembly to make collections for the several Boards shall receive aid from the funds of the Church.-1872, p. 39. X. TRUSTEES OF THE PRESBYTERIAN HOUSE. For the history of successive steps which led to the appointment of the Board, see New Digest, p. 404. In 1854 the Assembly directed the trustees to obtain a charter from the Legislature, which is as follows, viz.: AN ACT TO INCORPORATE THE TRUSTEES OF THE PRESBYTERIAN HOUSE. Whereas, The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America which held its sessions in the First Presbyterian Church, on Washington Square, in the city of Philadelphia, in May, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, did appoint John A. Brown, Samuel H. Perkins, Charles S. Wurts, Matthias W. Baldwin and John C. Farr, trustees of the Presbyterian Publication House, and recommended that the said Board obtain an act of incorporation under the laws of this State, and that the said act should contain a general provision, authorizing the said trustees to hold in trust for said Assembly any property committed to them by donations, bequests or otherwise; And whereas, Several gentlemen in the city of Philadelphia, feeling the necessity of some suitable place for the business of the societies and churches connected with the said Assembly, purchased a property for that purpose which they are desirous of conveying to the said trustees; And whereas, The said trustees will labor under serious disadvantages as to receiving and holding the title of said property, as well as any that may be committed to them by donations, bequests or otherwise in trust for said Assembly; therefore, SEC. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in General Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That John A. Brown, Samuel H. Perkins, Charles S. Wurts, Matthias W. Baldwin and John C. Farr, citizens of the United States and of this Commonwealth, and their successors, are hereby constituted and declared to be a body politic and corporate by the name of "The Trustees of the Presbyterian House," and as such shall have perpetual succession, and be able to sue and be sued, and to purchase and receive, take and hold, to them and their successors for ever, lands, tenements and hereditaments, goods, money and chattels, and all kinds of property and estate, which may be devised or bequeathed or given to them, or to said Assembly for them, and the same to sell, alien, demise and convey, also to make a common seal, and the same to alter and renew at their pleasure, and also to make such rules, by-laws and ordinances as may be needful for the government of said corporation, and not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of the United States and of this State: Provided always, That the clear yearly income of the real estate held by the said corporation shall not at any time exceed the sum of five thousand dollars. SEC. 2. That the trustees above named shall hold their office till the first day of June, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, and until their successors are duly qualified to take their places, who shall be chosen by the said Assenbly and their successors, who may at any annual meeting increase the number of said trustees to ten, if, in their judgment, the interest of the churches under their care require it. SEC. 3. That the said Assembly and their successors shall, at their annual meeting in each and every year, wherever held, elect at least five trustees, who shall hold their office for one year, and until their successors are elected and qualified; Provided, That the said corporators shall be citizens of Pennsylvania. SEC. 4. That the trustees hereby incorporated, and their successors, shall, subject to the direction of the said Assembly and their successors, have full power to manage all funds, property and effects committed to their care by gift, purchase, bequest or other wise, and to execute any trusts confided to them by the said General Assembly of their successors, in such manner as shall be deemed most advantageous, and not contrary to law or the intention of the donor or testator. SEC. 5. That the Act entitled "An Act to incorporate the Trustees of the Constitutional Presbyterian Publication House," approved the thirteenth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, be and the same is hereby repealed. HENRY K. STRONG, Speaker of the House of Representatives. 2. The Charter Accepted.-Duties and Powers of the Trustees. Whereas, The Legislature of the State of Pennsylvania, by an Act apoved by the governor, April 21, 1855, incorporated "The Trustees of the Presbyterian House," in Philadelphia, who are by said Act to be erected by this body; therefore, Resolved, By the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the Laited States of America: 1. That the said charter be and the same is hereby accepted, and that the trustees created by said Act of incorporation be directed to perform all the duties required by their appointment. Resolved, 2. That the said trustees be directed to give such official notification to the proper authorities of the State of Pennsylvania, as may be necessary, of the acceptance of the charter by the General Assembly. Resolved, 3. That the Assembly do now elect ten trustees under this charter, five of whom shall be ministers and five laymen, all of whom shall be connected with some Presbytery or church under the care of the General Assembly. Resolved, 4. That the first meeting of the trustees shall be at such time and place as shall be fixed by the trustee first elected, or in case of his inability to act, the trustee next elected, who shall act as chairman, until the Board is constituted by the election of a President and Secretary. Resolved, 5. That the trustees, at their first meeting, be directed to divide themselves into two portions, and in such manner that there shall always be in the Board five ministers and five laymen. Resolved, 6. That in electing these trustees a nomination shall be made in the Assembly, and that the election shall be by ballot, on the day fol lowing that on which the nomination is made. Resolved, 7. That these trustees be directed to keep an accurate record of all their proceedings, and report the same annually to the Assembly. Resolved, 8. That these trustees be directed to take such measures for raising the amount pledged by the last Assembly for the purchase of the "Presbyterian House" as they may deem expedient and proper.-1855, p. 26, N. S. Quorum of the Board of Trustees. The Assembly decides that five members of the trustees shall be a quorum for the transaction of business.-1864, p. 487. Legal Title to the House secured through the Liberality of John A. Brown. Resolved, That the General Assembly notice with pleasure the manifestation of promptness and liberality in the President of the Board of Trustees of the Presbyterian House, John A. Brown, Esq., of Philadelphia, who by a munificent donation has secured to the trustees the legal title of the Presbyterian House.-1857, p. 410, N. S. 3. The Trustees to Act as the Corporators of the Publication Committee. Resolved, By the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America that "The Trustees of the Presbyterian House" be, and they hereby are, authorized and directed to act in their corporate capacity as trustees of the Permanent Committee of this Assembly, called "The Presbyterian Publication Committee," as fully and in the same manner as if "The Presbyterian Publication Committee" were themselves constituted a corporation by the same authority which incorporated "The Trustees of the Presbyterian House."-1857, p. 410, N. S. 4. Declaration of Trust.-The House held for the Publication Committee. The Presbyterian Publication Committee respectfully present to the General Assembly the following overture: Whereas, The General Assembly of 1854 authorized the acceptance of the property Nos. 1334 and 1336 Chestnut street, Philadelphia, upon certain conditions which have since been complied with, and the legal title to said property was accordingly on the fourth day of February, 1859, vested for the Assembly in "The Trustees of the Presbyterian House," but no trust has ever been declared of the same; and Whereas, In view of all the circumstances attending the acquisition of said property, and the purposes for which it was designed, it is desirable that the General Assembly should declare the trust upon which the said property is and shall be held. The Presbyterian Publication Committee. Overture the Assembly to adopt the following Resolutions and Declaration of Trust: Whereas, Among other trusts, the legal title of the property Nos. 1334 and 1336 Chestnut street, Philadelphia, is held for the Assembly by the "Trustees of the Presbyterian House," but no trust has ever been declared of the same, and circumstances render it expedient and desirable that the trusts upon which said property is and shall be held should be formally declared; and Whereas, The trustees of the Presbyterian House did, by resolution adopted March 27, 1863, express their desire that the Publication Committee should ask the Assembly for a formal declaration that the property Nos. 1334 and 1336 Chestnut street, Philadelphia, is and shall be held by the trustees for the use and benefit of the Publication Committee; therefore, Resolved, 1st, That the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. in the United States of America do hereby declare that the property Nos. 1334 and 1336 Chestnut street, Philadelphia, is and shall be held by the trustees of the Presbyterian House to, for and upon the following uses, intents and purposes; that is to say: In trust to permit and suffer the Presbyterian Publication Committee, subject to the said General Assembly and their successors, to let and demise, use, occupy and enjoy the said property and every part thereof; to receive and take the rents and income thereof, they paying all the taxes and ground-rent thereon, and all proper and necessary repairs, and other expenses and charges thereon; and that the said trustees shall have power, at the request of the said Publication Committee, to mortgage and improve the said property, or any part thereof; Resolved, 2d. That the trustees of the Presbyterian House be, and they hereby are, directed to execute under their corporate seal, and deliver to the said Publication Committee, such deed or deeds of declaration of trust for the purpose aforesaid, with all such powers, authorities, limitations and provisions as shall be settled and advised by a Committee of |