The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-30
Money Changing in the Temple.

way to pay old church debts. The means
used are OF so novel and startling charac-
ter that we are forewarned not to fall into
the error of over-enthusiasm Oh the one
hand or of condemnation on the other
without careful Investigation OF the facts
OF the case. Adverse criticism is at least
partially disarmed by the fact that the end
sought for is consummation most devoutly
to be wished.
The times have pressed SO heavily on
some OF our church organizations that they
have been forced to put their property into
the hands OF their creditors, who have sold
it under the hammer TO satisfy perfectly
just claims Other organizations have stag
gered along under their load. cheered by
the almost vain hope that business would
revive and afford them relief Contributions
have been unusually small, because the
exigency has been as critical for the family
as for the Church. Men Of affairs are not
less generous than formerly, bat they have
less 70 give. The difficulty is not with their
Willingness, but with their ability. The
consequence of this general stagnation is
that the interest on church mortgages has
not been paid, and it has been impossible to
meet current expenses. The holders OF
these mortgages and of sundry unpaid bills
may be as lenient as possible, but they, too,
need all the money that is due them, and
suffer if it is not forthcoming. The per-
plexity grows more and more entangled,
and it is evident that some move must be
made to alter this condition of affairs.
Just at this juncture appears Mr.. Kimball,
the prophet OF the new departure. He is
heralded as the man who can get more
money out Of a congregation than any set
tied pastor, and his services are feverishly
demanded in every State Of the Union.
That debts should be paid, and that inter-
est on mortgages should be promptly met,
no one can doubt. However much We may
blame those who fastened the debt on the
church, the stern fact remains that it is
fastened there, and that in some way it
should be taken care of. How to get rid Of
it altogether or how to bridge over the diff
Guilty until better times shall permit men to
give more freely, is the terrible question
which stares the congregation i'll the face.
We have never had but one opinion on this
subject, and that opinion has not been
changed by the apparent success of Mr..
Kimball. While we believe in all honora-
bic methods of relief, and in all the honest
pressure that can be brought to bear on
every ones pockctbook, we are convinced
that Mr. Kimball proceeds in way very
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suit in more harm than good. We are not
quite sure that the means he uses are ex-
actly legitimate in connection with the
Christian Church.
In the first place the substance of the new
movement consists of forcing process
which implies that the people have not
grown poor, but that they have grown mean.
This is an injustice at the start. To dragon
congregation, nearly every family OF which
shares the general want Of means and feels
the pinch Of tho times, is only to produce
discomfort and i'll will This is done, how
ever, with a persistency which shows that
the speaker is determined to get every
willing dollar, and after that every unwill-
ing dollar he can lay his hands on. Mr..
Kimball never gives notice Of his approach.
Those who are really unable TO give. but
who have no ardent desire to make the fact
OF their poverty known, are caught in the
trap of beautiful Sunday morning. The
man who has not been hurt by the hard
times gives a round sum, and then turns to
his neighbor, who has been nearly ruined,
badgers him into giving q like sum. We
dislike using harsh terms, but we are half
inclined to speak Of this squeezing process
MS one OF unwarantable compulsion.
Money that is begrudged, money which the
fingers hold on to up to the last moment,
and then let drop only because they must,
is not good money to pay church debts with.
In the second place, to go through this
performance as a substitute for u religious
service on Sunday is Objectionable. We are
not squeamish on these subjects, but there
is q proper decorum to be observed at all
times. The payment of debts is purely q
financial transaction, whether it is q church
debt or business debt, and there ought to
be time enough to look alter such things
without encroaching on the regular services
OF devotion. Mr.. kimball invites fifty
ladies 10 give one hundred dollars each, and
10 challenge fifty gentlemen to do as much.
The ladies retire to one corner of the church,
while the gentlemen 60 to another corner.
The pulpit is the lottery office. the auction
stand from which the challenge is promul-
gated. Envy, strife, hard feelings shame
and indignation ensue, and many one is
driven by stress Of circumstances to take
up the challenge who is furious in heart at
the trap which has been sprung, on him.
Besides, many people promise in their en-
thusiasm to do what in their cool judgment
they know they cannot do, and SO the en-
tnnglement grows deeper.
The money changers and those who sold