The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1888-01-28
schemes for raising money for
Churches.

Association by the Rev. +. ii
Wright, and is published by request
OF that association.
As L am comparative stranger to
American methods of raising money
Tor church purposes, anything | may
say will not be farreaching and | only
look for further particulars from the
other brethren present | am mere
y appointed to introduce the ques-
ton, aud this | can do by simply re-
ferring to what has come under my
own notice. | shall not enter into
the subject Of methods separately, but
treat OF them rs IL whole.
Bazaars and church festivals may
be large service of a large revenue,
and channel of introduction into
society, but it is to be feared that it
Target, secularizes the efforts of an or
gahlzation pre- emiently spiritual We
haye only to mention the fact that a
great number Of those who partici-
pate enthusiastically in such methods
have no real interest in the church, =
probably they might be seen ofiiciat-
ing wlth grace at ii stall, when they
were rarely If ever seen at church,
and the people in general get false
idea o. what constitutes IL chuch, if
such parties are running it. a com
pany of society makers" want to in
;tuglirate grand ball, for the pleas
ure Of the thing, and decide to give
the proceeds to some charitable insti-
tuition t-may be some church auxil-
larry who shall say that they have
deeds OF. charity in view? SO may it
be As ked too often in regard to church
festivals and bazaars There is moth
ing radically more in such methods,
but eaI d n we fear that there is too
much OF the world in it. Be not
CONFIRMED to the world, but be We
transformed, in other words, bring
the world up to the Church standard,
not bring the churches down to the
worlds standard.
Its only necessary to prohibit gamb
ling when we forbid all games of
chance. Novel methods are adopted
to cover up the gambling. Just for
the fun OF If, and for the good of the
cause, Is the excuse for many viola
ton of the laws Of the land and of
God. Guessing how much cake
Weighs, the nearest one To gain it, or,
what is in a cake to win, or selling
tickets for a lottery are unholy and
unlawful, and no pastor Is guiltless
who tolertaes it without protest. 1t
is a subtle form of temptation, and a
stron. confidence in God alone will
give the victory.
The crazy quilt craze, the prettiest
girl humbug, The handsomest gentle
men nonsense, all become followers
Of the Lord Jesus, and to say the
least are strange methods of helping
on the conversion of the world. | saw
an account In the Christian Advocate
the other day of wedding at
church bazaar. To crafty the taste
for something new, the minister of
certain church (the denoination was
not given because it was not known
appeared on the scene and married Il
couple who had agreed there and then,
IL view of Il prize offered by some re-
ligious trickster, to the first two who
were willing to have the knot tied,
and, all this to attract multi.udes to
the bazaar Christ ami Belial com
bi@a.i)n. How opposed to the teach.
ing of scriptures.
Now the fault does not rest wholly
with the religious Humpty Dump
ties, who no more represent christian
activity than chalk resembles cheese,
but all law abiding citizens are more
to be blamed for consenting to be
gnllel by these slight of hand tricks
| say law abiding citizens for is there
not a law prohibiting gambling?
Oh, bat says some one" | am not
prohibitionist, | believe in high IL
cense. All right try high license on
this gambling question, and see if any
court in the land will grant you a Ii
cense to gamble. They may eiye you
permission to have a lottery, ''proyid-
ed always" as the lawyer says, that it
is for good object, such as caring
for the nameless waif, or sending the
gospel 10 the poor heather, or help
ing the heather at home, but they
will never give you license for
gambling. No, no, call it lottery
and you nay receive permission to do
an unlawful act from lawful authori-
ties. In other words when you want
Il spade 90 to the hardware store and
ask for an agricultural implement
with long wooden handle crowned
by shining piece of steel pleced
transyersely, but don't use that vul-
gar word spade. Now in the name of
common sense, why will the public
consent to be fooled in this manner,
nay more, why will they he so wilful
as to be party to tn, violation of the
laws Of the land.
Not only are the public to be blam
ed for these violations of law, but the !
town authorities are remiss in their (
luty. Only recently among the nu-
nernus ordinances passed by the city
fathers is one strongest one against all
games Of chance, and few weeks ago !
,n>the strength Of that ordinance a
lumher of games of chance men, yul-.l
CARLY known as gamblers were ordered
% leave the town or abide the con-
sequences. They chose to abide the
consequences and were handed over to
he care of the sheriff. y few days
after a company of men and women
,ad cake they wanted to dispose Of
,ut they must get more than is act
lal worth for the good of the cause.
| am not sure what, but something in
with the house of the Lord, } (
y each person that wantel the cake,
" that didn't want it-no matter
must guess what was il it and paw for
he guess n few pence. Its only
lime and it's only a game of chance"
DON'T be alarmed O Sheriff: 90 slow