The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-03-20
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
"Must Not be Just Before am GensrousY'

1t is not strange that numerous writer's
on Systematic Benevolence," should
have regarded this inquiry unworthy OF
reply. But there are many who need to
have it discussed. / have heard of one
Of our most venerable and useful minis
ters excusing persons who were in debt
for not contributing to the Lords treasu-
ry. One of another denomination is urg-
ing the same point in a religious paper /;
and / have heard number of good per-
sons advocating the same error Will
my readers consider few PLAIN thoughts
which l hope may present the truth, and
that in persuasive form.
Those who raise this inquiry, general
ly advocate an affirmative reply as a suf-
Gcient excuse for not making contribu-
tions to the Redeemer's Church. In op-
position to their conclusions and practice
are these considerations:
l. Such a judgment is based upon a
wrong idea respecting what are called
charitable donations" 1t assumes that
ve o.ce nothing of right to the Lord, for
promoting the vitality, efficiency, and
aggressive character of his redeemed
Church; or for relieving the temporal
and spiritual wants of Christ's people.
This is thevery concentration of that GRIM
inal error which is so prevalent, and which
we hope to eradicate by revived atten-
ton, by discussion, and apostolic usage Of
weekly contributions. How monstrous
the error when Christians speak of debts
to fellow-men as "just," and of their
meagre contributions to the Lord as
generous. Surely if their generosity
rests on this defence it has but vapor
for shield.
2. This conclusion makes the claim Of
of man superior to that Of God; whereas
Gods claims are primary and superlative.
"The cattle upon a thousand hills are
mine" says He. "The gold and the
silver are mine" His supreme sove-
reignty justi6es these claims to primary
and absolute right over all your wealth.
The money, the capacity to use it, the
opportunities of using it; the personal
comfort, even the air we breathe, the
food we consume, the houses we inhabit,
the children, friends, and life itself, are
all borrowed from God. His loan is tenn
porary and upon conditions that we use
it to his glory, paying him the interest
as it falls due, in the constant service OF
our lives, and especially on his holy Sab
bath day. Debts for money borrowed
are generally considered first in their
claims; why not this one to God? With
out his favorable hand we could not live
to use or enjoy our natural means. "lt
is of the Lords mercies that we are not
consumed, because his compositions fail
not" If Indebtedness to God is not of
the first order, then it seems that His
sovereignty is worth nothing; His pro-
priety in US and in all that we have is re-
nounced; our stewardship is annihilated; /;
obligation to worship God with the whole
heart is destroyed; indeed that many of
the most precious and sacred doctrines of
revelation are robbed of their authority,
force, and application. Justice, then,
requires that we begin to cancel our
debts to the Lord, whose benefactions
have been so large and constant; and
honesty should silence forever all boast
ing of generosity to God, especially
where this generosity rests on so
small basis. There is no proper sense