Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-05-15
From the Philadelphidn.
by REQUEST
MISSIONARY EXPENDITURES.

MISSIONARY EXPENDITURES.
we make the following extract from "Ails>
sionary Paper" No S, published at Boston
lis author is the Rev DR.. Beecher we re-
commend II TO the perusai oil all, whose day
dreams and night visions are disturbed by the
olr, ming ,cas!e Of money in our country, in the
cause OF missions. He has proved, we think,
with all becoming grarity, the folly otpreseni DIS
ouie,ude at least on this point, so Tar as the
noJ;onnl treasury is concerned, and has also shut
un,be sluices OF tha, generous sympathy which
mourns over indiuidual sorrow, by showing that
,bs nrsynre on each contributor, is not so bur-
6e,soue as many have seemed TO suppose.-
Such persons viii likewise he happy 10 learn,
that. when the work OF retrenchment shall IN
deed become necessary, there are several other
items Of enormous expenditure, which may be
greatly reduced, with unques,ionable adv antage
10 hoth national and individual interests.
nc we look at the resources Of our nation, we
must be convinced, should believe, that consl-
derable more may be expended, Than has yet
-been devoted TO the cause oil missions, without
dancer. The extent OF our country pSrvadlng
en- many chimes, the richness and variety OF its
soil. and the unobstructed and highly stimula,-
I'd enterprise every where lei loose upon i, with
surh increased abbreviarons OF labor, and la
cilnies OF transportation, would seem to bid
defiance TO poverty in almost any form. Me-
,er before certainly, was 50 much intelligence,
and muscular-power, so aided by art, applied 10
purposes of industry upon sach soil, undti
such q government, such institutions, anG un
~ der such d pressure Of motive. The result canuo
Cs,l TO be unparalleled prosperity; surplus pro
duct. which caaot fail 10 produce an un'
bonnded commerce, and ultimately an immense
caniIal. II must be heavy missionary drat'
that shall impoverish such { nation as this
l,, 4
nation is able to bear, and actually does sus
,ain. we may dismiss our fears OF imPoSsrish
men, by missionary expenditures, at least 10
MANY wears 10 come. We expend million
annually for purposes Of ambitious ostentaion
.,d millions more for voluptuuus living, con
t,minating health aud virtue; and million
more we nav annually as the tax Of direct ant
deep immoraliIes.
\ single horse race, IN 1898, is estimated =
have cost, in bets, aud. time, and attendant ex
penses, no, less than 100000 doliars-thre
times the amount Of missionary income Tor on
wear, and yet we have not heard the nauo
croan, and no fears have been expressed, {
our knowledge, that we are in any danger @
being impoverished by hoise races,upon whic
il may be safely estimated, that al least mil
livn year is expended.
The expense which is devoted annually 10
the support Of theatrical establishments
SCHOOLS Of virtue and good morals in no re
snect superior to the Bible and Inc preaching
Of the Gospel,-oaunot be less, should sup
nose. than two millions Of dollars, and We: n
fears are expressed that they will impoveris
the land.
The expenses Of the last war are estimate
.t more than one hundred millions; and yet I'll
nation has not even halted in The rapid race Q
prosperity.
About thirty millions Of dollars are wois
than wasted annually, for ardent spirits: an
though the crime ii produces and mul'iphe
does threaten poverty, ii is the crime, and no
uIllnli illl |llfI1il from which f