The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-21
LAT1So IN CHURCH MONEY
The Alleged DefnIcntIon OF the Home Mis-
sionary society's Treasurer.

BosToN, Feb. 19.-The C0nGreodiiondlist
OF to-day Is out with some very pertinent in-
quiries directed 10 the Executive Committee Of
the Massachusetts, Home Missionary Society in
regard to the late alleged defalcatlon Of Charles
Demond. the Treasurer OF tho society. II
seems that prior to 1S43 this society was simply
IN auxiliary to tho American Home Missionary
Society OF New York. and that although incor-
poratcd in the year named. the New York
society has been popularity regarded rs
the parent society, with no effort on
the part Of tho Massachusetts, society to cor
rect the impression. Indeed. they have pub
lished n standing suggestion that 1t is very
desirable that all donations and lcgacies to
home missions from Massachusetts be made to
and through the Massachusetts Home Mission
AIRY Society" thus substantially pleSSing the
churches. whose almoner the society s. that
gifts will reach the general cause ne speedily
and as safely as II paid directly 10 the Bible
House In New York. and also pledglng tho
honor OF the society that such money shall DO
forwarded. and not invested. Notwthstand
this. the society has had nm increasing income
from interest on invested funds from t30O22 in
tho year 1929. TO s4169.57 in 1870. In 1879 It
amounted to 80 1873 90 and n very significant
That report acknowledges NJ received from the
salo Of stocks; tlS 3G6 IL. which tho Committee
thought II well TO explain. They Rny:
Under the prudent MANAGEMENT of the former Treas.
urcr BENJAMIN Perkins Esq. several eraccs had been
invested BY him. the income from which has been cred
price these stocks and bonds led the Executive Com
mitee TO inquire whether was wise 10 hold 50 lare an
amount and whether the donors required 1t to be ken,
such oblgaon except the case OF the O.hornr dncome
mat year $40 and Bracket a9c9me that year s7T9sT
has furnished essential relief 10 the parent society III ia
endorsements
Mr.. Dcmond becnme Treasurer in 1873 and
IN that year stocks aud bonds to tho amount of
Sl5,sn9.63 were sold. making in the two years.
f34.l75.75 and the Committee then made u
similar explanation. In 1874, n donation OF
$4,000 was made without condition. and this
was added. 10y vote Of the Committee. to the
four years the reported income from pernA-
nent funds has been M follows:
1873 IS iS5 80 is57.........F 4T4 ~
1873 ............. 36V1 ~ ls7a.......... 3.2Ui 81
This would average 6 per cont. on about
s57 900. 1t is now said that from $50 900 ~
have been 80 reinvestcd" 10y tho lato Treas
urer that good judges fear 1t to DO impossible
10 realize from them tenth part of their nom
innl value. Whether this be wholly due to lack
Of judgment on tho part OF that officer or has
beon aided and animated by u purpose 10 de-
fraud Il question on which MS yet she public
has no light although II IL nm open secret that
the executive committee accuse him OF n series
ot gross. persistent. and adroitly-managed
The Congreoationdiist shows that tho parent
society has been in financial embarrassment.
and IL hints that the Committee have held out
fnse Inducements TO the churches for their
gifts. tho churches understanding that essen
society. when. in fact over $50 900 was launched
upon the sea OF uncertain speculation and even
II the Treasurer has been criminal, the Commit
tee has been negligent OF ia duty.