The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-06-28
THE MEMORIAL FUND.

Otuoi An0"ho VI COiieCtIbS uAAS"i" Soo nuoV
be sought.
THE MEMORIAL FUND.
The Central Presbyterian of the 18th inst, had
few editorial remarks on this subiect-in all
about fifteen lines. 1t copied from the Philadel-
phia Presbyterian the entire table of items con-
stituting what has been called the Memorial Thank
Offering. While agreeing that the aggregate
was large" (nearly eight million Of dolars) and
disclaiming any disposition to criticise its con-
tents, yet an intimation was ventured that some
of the items sounded rather singular in an exhibit
so often and conspicuously set forth as grand
"thank.ofering" For example, about one mil
lion and halt is set down for payment of debts.
The Presbyterian, of Philadelphia, has become
unnecessarily excited, and says we cast "a sneer'
upon this finest work of Christian men," After
losing its temper, it is not surprising that the
charity of our contemporary should become enough
impaired to allow it to sit in judgment upon US,
and pronounce that we would have rejoiced in
the failure of the whole scheme" Nothing has
come within our observation to show that the
Presbyterian is inspired to preach and tell what
is known to the searcher of hearts only-especally
in regard to Southern Presbyterians They would
be entirely satisfied with its better success in re-
presenting correctly what they actually say and do.
So far from wishing the memorial effort Of North.
ern Presbyterians to be a failure we hoped from
the first it would be successful as in fact it has been
Seven or eight millions of dollars is great sum
to contribute, count in what you please. We only
ventured to suggest that some OF the items looked
rather queer in such a connection. But perhaps
our Northern brethren considered they were act
ing according to the rule in the parable which de-
scribes the kingdom of heaven as being like unto
net that was cast into the sea, and gathered OF
every kind" Perhaps it was not the most hand
some thing in the world for an outsider to say q
word on the subject of this ''omnium gatherum; -
but as it had been made subject of remark among
themselves and elsewhere, we just thought the
Central might venture in last, as a sort of Elihu
in the council, and say 81 also will show mine
opinion" If in this we erred, it was one for
which an indulgent judgment might have been
expected from the Presbyterian, considering the
disposition long manifested to take the affairs of
the Southern Presbyterian Church under its paer-
nal care.
But one of the most remarkable exploits of our
Philadelphia contemporary remains to be mentioned.
1t actually goes into an elaborate and somewhat
pathetic argument, nearly column long, to de-.
monstrate that when Church pays its just debts,
it has good reason to be thankful We are sorry
to have been the occasion of putting any worthy
man of the editorial fraternity to so much trouble
in this hot weather. The effort was no doubt well
and innocently meant, and may possibly be of use
some day, on some other question. 1t has no ap-
plication here. 1t is just as unquestionably good
thing also that to large extent, the churches
Power the land raise SO much NANCY to pay the sal
aries they owe their preachers; and we dare say
the Presbyterian could by another special effort.
column long, make out satisfactory proof that in
all this too there is ground for thankfulness, and
then exclam at the end of it, as about the other
Has any one a right to say to this Church, that
the gifts of its members were all very well, but
that it was small business, inasmuch as they were
simply paying debt, and thus doing only what
was honest and just?" 1t is not because the bu-
siness is small-that is not the point. The point
is that you make such a speciality about it. To
pay Church debts and to pay pastors are both a
great thing but we submit that for any Church to
be putting in either of such items, to the figure of
about million and half of dollars, in order to
swell up magnificent aggregate in special thank
oferiagAthat is a small business" What would
be thought of the good taste of our churches-to
use no more stringent word--if at the end of the
year they should publish it to the world as thing
of special commentator that they had raised a
considerable amount of money to pay their preach
ers? We therefore come to exactly the opinion
expressed before: I" For man to pay his debts is
certainly good thing but it is so strictly part
of common honesty and justice, thatit looks strange
to see it figure up nearly one.ffth of the seven
millions in hankofermg" The Presbyterian
itself seems to have an impression of this kind,
after all for it says, eve frankly confess that we
wish these items were out of the account"
Some close questions might be raised also about
that So 236, 1861, set down to the score of 'New
Church buildings" and two Or three other items,
amounting to about $2,000,000 more and max
ing in all of it something over six of the seven or
eight millions; but not wishing to put our cotem-
porary through another elaborate heat and argu.
ment at this season, and all for nothing, we for.
bear. After all these rather queer looking items
in it, that Memorial was, as we said, "a magnif-
cent affair."" and deserves to be commended; for
"men will praise thee when thou doest well to thy
SELF"