The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-29
BIR. NfABIE'S VIEWS.
What the Baptist Divine Thinks of the
Management of the Charity Organ
ization Society.

Yesterday afternoon Rev. H. G. Mabe was In
terviewed concerning his attitude toward the
Charity Organization, reported in interview
with Rev. Myron W. Reed in yesterdays Jour
nal al do not think have anything to say"
said Mr. Mabe ~ certainly have no blood to
spill in this battle. am only an individual, a
citizen Of this city, representing only my indi-
vidual opinion. The only point made wac In
respect 10 the legitimacy of making non
seetsrian society and public institution, in any
sense tributary 10 the building up of particular
sect or denomination.
"The charities of this city, like the public
school system, ought to have no organic or
official connection whatever with any sect. The
Baptist denomination, which [ represent, has
been on record for centuries as opposing the uso
of any OF all public funds a basis Of religious
propagandism. When 1 was pastor in Brook
line, Mass, in conversation with the older mem
bers, frequent reference made by them to
the times In their early history, when tho
Standing Order held sway. This standing
Order was the Congre Gatoual Church. really a
state church supported by public funds, to
maintain which Baptists. Methodtsts and what
not, were Unfortunately taxed. Among our
Baptist fathers were those who refused TO pay
the tax, on principle, and were fiued or impris-
oued IN consequence. Baptlsts nave alwa az, :
maintained on its merits UulY, aud free from
every kind OF artificial support.
"The principle is precisely the same, 1t seems
to me, as II 1t were proposed to us6 a portion OF
the school fund to found Catholic or Jewish
society. AS TO the general character OF the
| charity organization, have no doubt its affairs
| are thorOughiy and honestly managed. It is
| very business-like and well adapted to expose
1mpostOrs. AS to the positive results OF It's re-
| lief work, they may ba exaggerated. Iquestion
| If the really worthy poor make much use OF IT,
or receive much benefit from it. 1 think these
| gentlemen who have devoted so much time TO ii
| have shown commendable zeal, but it is pei ty
| to speak of jealousy of these gentlemen. If the
| new Plymouth Church enterprise see fit to rent
rooms for ordinary business purposes they have
| q perfect right to do so. They generous in
| Offering rooms at reasonable rent to the
| Charity Organization, the Indianapolis Literary
| Society. the Flower Mission, the Training School
| for Nurses and any other societies representing
| the benevolent and telectua life of the city.
1.-THE prOpriety, however, of locating, especial
| ~ the Charity Organization Society, the pres
| dent of which is also pastor OF this church, in
| an apparently permanent relation to it and ut1l
| iZlng an income of such rental to maintain the
propagation of de-. mite religious views, is ques
| tOnable. AS a freLd OF the general charity
| work of the city should prefer TO let it stanC
| on its own merit on absolutely neutral and non
| sectarian ground and neither buttressed moi
encountered by this or that mans religion
| prejudices." ss,-.