The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-06
CHURCH ENTERPRISES.
THE soR1pTuRAL PLAN FOR THEIR SUPPORT

THE SCRIPTURAL PLAN FOR THElh oUfFohI
How can we build our church? how Car
we support pastor? how can we meet cur
rent expenses necessary in sustaining
church organization? are questions which
are to day deeply exercising the minds oi
thousands of enthusiastic Christians Strug-
Cling under the oppressive burdens of per-
sonal responsibility they have already as
sumed, while yet the desired objects remain
unaccomplshed.
The advice of one is, "Start subscrip
ton: l will give hundred or thousand
dollars" when, perhaps, not another man in
the whole congregation sees that amount of
cash in whole year.
Another advises, "Send the pastor to
large city churches, to beg of them for they
surely must have plenty of money"
Apply to the Home Missionary Society, "
says another; !" that, we know, will help us
who are SO worthy, yet so poor
"Go ahead" says the bustling business
man, "I'll help you; lend you money,-only
give me mortgage. Put up your church,
then sell the pews, or rent them to the high
est bidder; 1 know twill pay
"Start lottery, hold fair or festival, "
cry the unscrupulouS; they pay we'll"
All these and other plans are suggested,
and in thousands of cases have been tried,
many, perhaps, with success, while many
others have resulted in disaster, the friends
finally, compelled, (arter trying several If
regular plans,) to abandon the enterprise,
and sell out what remains to the highest bid
der.
Without presuuing to call in question the
sound judgment of the fathers in church
matters, as illustrated in the schemes above
mentioned, we submit to the consideration
of all candid minded Christians, whether
any of the old plans are such as in their
best Judgment they heartily approve, and
whether there is in any of these plans
manifested evidence that they bear the i'm
press of divine favor, or that the best OF
them does not indicate more Of the "com-
mercial enterprise" or SAVIOR more of "world-
ly wisdom" than true desire to I" honor
the Lord with our substance" aud accom-
plsh great moral good, while others of the
methods are felt to be positively bad and
exceedingly evil in their tendencies
outweighing all the good realized?
We sincerely hope and trust that the day
is past when cburch-lotteries, under the name
of fairs and festivals, or any other corrupt
and sinful schemes, shall be resorted to, to
advance the interests of the cause Of Christ.
Many of His disciples have had reason to
blush and plead Illuminating excuse, TO
silence the merited rebukes from the enemies
of Christianity.
Turn we now to the Bible,-the only true
aud safe guide, what do We learn? Not
one word of appreciation OF the old plans,
but, "Bring ye all the titheS Of the store
house," ETC., "upon the first day of the
week." with numberless analogous passages,
all which speak emphatically to seekers after
truth and lines of duty, and call upon all
who feel moved to enter into and incur the
responsibilities of sustaining church ordi-
nances or buildings, to ponder well the
@ways and means" before entering upon the
active measures.
The moral tendencies Of scriptural methods
are also unspeakably beneficial upon the
minds of the young. The simple act Of
'slaying aside" small amount of money,
devoting and depositing every Sabbath as
part of their religious duty, cannot fail in
time to impress the heart and lead the
thoughts to follow the "gift, and consider,
"What is the object and what will be the
consequences of this act performed by me
and my companions every Sabbath? Their
interest in church ordinances will gradually
increase, and soon it will be manifest that
where little or no concern had been felt, now
solicitude for the cause of Christ is showing
itself, and, from thoughtless indifference,
there soon comes to be exhibited desire to
do more, and to be participant in the
spiritual interests of the church. Hence,
as a means of grace, the scriptural plans are
invariable; spiritual discipline is being
wrought, which will always make the young
person an active Christian, and teach him
the intimate connection there is between
"prayers and alms;' that they go up TO-
gether "as memorial before God" which
ensures the double action of blessing both
the object and the giver.
Why is it, we are led to ask, that "plan
and system" are introduced into and govern
all the various industries in secular afFairs,-
exhibiting such wonderful results, and yet
Christians and church associations are so
slow and even reluctant to adopt any meas
ures, however scripturally warranted, for
fear of an imaginary evil? We are well
aware that in former days, "Free Church"
enterprises were engaged in at various places,
without satisfactory success There may
have been, and undoubtedly were, good and
sufficient reasons for their failure. But if
we misjudge not, the causes which embar-
rassed many were want of system and
" well-arranged plan in financial meas
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