The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-01-28
UNFAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP.

The Importance of putting only faith
full and conscientious men, religiously
devoted to the Church and its interests
men of high standing and character
in the community in which they reside
into the Office of society or parish
trustees, is something that some Of our
churches still need to understand. The
disastrous results that have occasion
ally followed the choice of unworthy
men for such positions, certainly should
be warning enough to make societies
careful in such matters. 1t would seem
as if this was thing which would en-
list great care and caution; but, unfor-
tunately, this is not invariably the
case. Instances are not rare where
parish has been wrecked, and its prop
erty dissipated by the action of those
who were originally appointed to care
for its temperatures, and who have
proven unworthy of their stewardship.
A communication recently received
from aclergyman of a neighboring State,
reveals sad condition of affairs in
town where we once had prosperous
society organization, not large in num-
bers, but at one time sufficiently &C
tive to build an inexpensive church,
and sustain occasional preaching. The
changes of the passing years, and the
loss by death and removal of the older
families, on whom the enterprise mainly
rested, long since compelled suspen-
sion of regular services. The clergy
man mentioned on, recent visit found
this particular church in deplorable
condition. The furniture had been
loaned out, part to one of the other
churches, while another portion had
been taken to private residence. The
building was going to decay for want of
care, and had been rented for school
purposes. The money had been used
by some of the trustees for private pur-
poses, and general wreck seemed to
be imminent.
1t was sorry outlook for the preach
or, who visited the place to have series
of meetings; but fortunately he was
equal to the emergency. A business
meeting of the society was called, an
election held, the unfaithful stewards
removed, and better officers placed in
charge of the property. One of the
trustees, and the clerk of the church
had been faithful and had succeeded in
saving something for the parish. The
newly-elected officers were instructed
to replace all the furniture and put the
church into condition for use. They
were also instructed to put an insurance
of 81, 900 on the church, and deed the
church to the trustees of the State Con-
vention. While there is not much pros
pect of building up the church at pres
emit, the property will be secured to the
denomination in case it is sold.
This is but one of a multitude of
cases, resulting from such unfaithful
stewardship, and needing the care of
State officials. We are credibly in
formed that an effort was made by two
of these trustees to sell the church and
divide the proceeds. But in this they
were circumvented, and the property
remains intact. If the church had been
sold and the money pocketed by the
trustees, it would not, unhappily, be a
solitary case. Other examples have been
known of this appropriation of church
property. The courts have decided
against the sale of church property for
the private benefit of interested per-
sons, even when they are fairly repre-
sentative of the congregation that built
the church. Church property isregarded
in law as trust, and cannot be alien
ated, or sold, except for the uses of an
organization, perpetuating the relig-
ious history and traditions of the body
to which it belongs. But there are