Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-11-10
TRINITY CHURCH.
Its Beneficent Missionary Work in Ne,
York City.

AOAA SAtys
Our contemporary the Presbyterian of
Philadelphia failed apparently to read the
series of articles published in these col
umns not long since, showing the grand
work that is being done by Trinity Parish
for the poor and weak and neglected people
in the lower part of the city, or else it
would not have uttered such unapprecia-
tive words as these:
"There is much objection raised to the
accumulation of wealth in the hands of the
few. The millionaires come in for denun-
citation. Of course, everything depends
upon how they get their wealth and how
they use it. Indiscriminate condemna-
tion is neither just nor wise. He who has
the power of honest accumulation and
then utilities it to the glory of God and for
the benefit of humanity is only using
Alright and fully the gift which God has
placed at his disposal. On the other hand,
he who is dishonest in his gains and makes
no true use of his riches deserves all the
reprobation which he receives. But if
great possessions in the individual are
good or bad according to the character of
their acquisition and their disposition,
what shall we say of vast accumulations in
the hands of an individual church? Does
the simple fact that money belongs to
particular religious organization exempt it
from the moral consideration as to how it
came into such immense resources,
and as to how it is employing
them? For instance, look at, per-
haps, the exceptional case of Trinity
Church in New York City. Its posses
sions are said to foot up Sl40,000,000.
How were they acquired? Largely by an
increase in value of property given to it at
an early day, and by the foresight and ju-
dicious investment of its Trustees or fnan-
cial managers. From all we know no ex-
ception can be taken to the honest get
ting of its wealth. Now, as to the manner
OF its disbursement. Has it been for the
best, or for the highest good of the de-
nomination Trinity Church represents, or
for the greatest moral and religious well
fare of the city in which it is located?
Upon this point much difference of opin-
ion exists, and will continue to find ex-
preston. Is this church reaching with its
abundance the greatest number of which
it is capable, or multiplying Gospel agen-
cies to the fullest extent by its investments
and disbursements? Would not scatter
ing of its increase be more for the upbuild-
ing of Christ's kingdom? Or, if legal pro-
visions may not permit OF this to any great
extent, what about the legal income de-
rived from its enormous estate? 1t is wise
to localize its use, or to increase the
amount by yearly re-inyestments, or to
expend it upon church ornamentation and
display? No doubt church extension
comes in for a considerable portion of the
annual surplus, but to an outsider it looks
as if with such yearly allowance Episco-
palianism ought to compass New York
city more rapidly and fully than it does,
and make the influence of its judicious ex-
penditures in mission work there and else
where rebound hundredfold more to the
glory of God and to the spread of Chris
tianity than now appears on the surface"
We think the Presbyterian overestates
the amount of the possessions of Trinity
Church. We do not speak from certain
knowledge, yet we venture the remark
that the sum as given by our contemporary
may be divided by ten-$14 100000 in
stead of $l40,000,000. Our estimates, based
upon examination, of the annual expendi-
lures of the parish for church and chart
table work was $250,000.
As to the question asked by the Presby-
terrain; "Isthis church reaching with its
abundance the greatest number of which
it is capable, or multiplying gospel agen-
cies to the fullest extent by its invest
ments and disbursements ?" every one at
all acquainted with the work of the parish
must answer, yes. Because one is not con-
stantly hearing and reading about the gifts
of Trinity Church for the support of
church work and extension in the city, it
is not to be supposed that it is doing moth
ing IN that particular. Trinity Church
does not sound trumpet before it when it
does its aims 1t rather courts the neglect
of the newspapers. Bat many poor man
and woman could tell of assistance rem
dered, of wants relieved, of spiritual priv
ileges enjoyed because of the liberality and
care of Trinity Church. And what about
the large amount of money it annually
gives fo- sustaining of churches in sections
of the city where they are most needed,
but which, without the financial aid given
them by Trinity Church, would have to be
closed. And its hospitals and dispensaries
and schools of all kinds, its relief associa-
tions and manifold agencies for the i'm
proyement of the temporal condition of
the poor-these are the silent, but endur-
ing witnesses of the beneicent work it is
doing. Church Of To-day.