The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-08-02
BUsINEss IN RELf0foN.
= speech on That subject by Mr.. Joseph y.
Montgomery. Of Richmond.

hTSINESA IN RELTOfON.
speech on That subject by Mr.. Joseph y.
Montgomery. Of Richmond.
The Dover Association OF the Baptist de-
nomination Of tho State ot Virginia met last
week at Newport News and was in session for
several days The Dover Association repre-
sents one Cf the twenty-three districts Of tho
Baptist Church III this state. comprising the
several Baptist churches ~ Richmond ana Is
the dest and largest one II the State
Quitea number of delegates from this city
attended The sessions of the AssOuaiiOn. and
among them was Mr. Joseph b. MOntgom-
ery deacon of the Second Baptist church in
this city. MIR Montgomery Is chairman of
the committee on cooperation OF the Baptist
General Association # Virginia. The aim III
that committee IS, as far as possible ito edu-
cate the members OF the Baptist Church
TO .theU depreciation Of the fact that 1t IS
thor privilege and not their duty Of giving
from their possessions 10 tho Church, so thatthe
latter may not have 20 count only on the
gifts of "a few but Oh the rank and file, even If
lhey individually do not give much. II con-
triDutOns however small. con DO obtained
from every member the aggregate amount col
le"ted iu this way viii be larger than II It was
coUiug oulv IRON larger donations OF g COM
paratyey small number.
While he report Of the committee on CO.
operation was under consideration hr. Mont
g0merv was called upon 10 give his views on
the business methods which should govern
the administration of the Church. Mr.. Mont
gOmery delivered very able and instructive
address which deeply impressed All his hear
crs.
lie WAS sfterwaIds requested 10 have his
address printed for the benefit Of the greatest
possible number of members Of the Baptist
Church. Tt appeared that Mr. Montgomery
had made an inprOmtu speech and had no
notes o. any consequence at his disposal.
However. some one seemed to have antlci-
pa.eG this very thing and taken II upon him
self % reserve for the members If the church
the rommk5 made on that occasion by Mr..
hontg g3mory.
MS is in substance what Mr.. Montgomery
said
lrother Moderator and Brethren: want
10 tolk a little while ebout the work of the
committee on cooperation. We hear a great
deal 30 this day about religion IN business.
Now We want little business IN religion.
Not that We 10 not believe Ia religion III bust
ness for We go 30 far as 20 SAY that If Chris
tlan men would carry moro Of their religion
into their everyday affairs they would be
happier make more money. and would
bring down from the Most High more bless
ings upon themselves. The aimIof the COM
mltteo on cooperation Is more systematic
giving all along the llne--a contribution from
every member ot every church 70 each one OF
the boards. Now | want 10 ask Il question or
two Have We in our churches brother 10
represent each one Of the boards; II we
have not will YOU see 10 il when you return
home that one is, appointedY And / would
sav that If you cannot get a brother 10
d0it. appoint @ sister The best men IN my
church are women. aud whenever we have
any great thing o. DO they are always the ones
T. helpus ont aud DO the best work After
tue appointment hns been made. will you
please see o. 1t that every member Of your
church has the privilege of contributing 10
the different boardsy If | can get one church
which does not work on this plan 10 try
It. ( shall have accomplished my purpose.
Now another thing. I do not think our pas
tors should have anything TO do with the
finances. They have enough work to do, and
we ought not 10 put this on them. Their
burdens now are much too heavy. Our
treasurers should dlsburse every cent given
for every object. and they should give re-
ceipts and require same. This is what they
are elected for. Sometimes our pastors see lit
10 change their felds Of labor, and sometimes
this IS q good thing and sometimes IL is lad
thing. but be thisas it may. don't you see that
If he has the plan OF finances in his hands,
that when he goes he takes the plan with him?
For this one reason think thst all financial
matters should b0 out Of the hands of our
pastors.
One more remark. We should be more
is all his. | only wish that every church
member really believed this. But | mean
such money as has been collected for the
boards II / owe IS for a pair of shoes, or
ANYTHING else, when | pay ii get receipt.
Are We as particular about tho money
we pay into the Lords treasury?
heard the other day about
good brother who had some money to
send to the treasurer OF the General Associa-
tion He met brother going along the road
and asked him II he was going 70 Richmond,
and when he found out that he was, said:
Won't yOu give this To Noryeu Ryand -
and so fur as he was concerned that was the
last of IT, ! ask II we are as careful about
handling money given 30 religious objects as
wo are about that which We handle for those
things which are needed for the comfort and
health of the body.
One moro word and | am through. You
heard read lust now that while our number
had increased during the past year our con-
trihutious % the boards had decreased. and |
am sorry 10 say that II large portion Of the
falling Oh has been il Richmond. Brethren
this will never do 1t is not right. OF all the
cities If our loved Southland not one has
been more highly blessed of God than Rich
mond. ! believe in fine churches soft seats
frescood walls and all this. and think IL is our
duty 20 have them when we can and 20 make
our churches even more handsome and COM
Portable than our homes but never, never 1t
the expense IF the boards
! pray God that this year every church
within the bounds If the Dover Association
lnay take Il step forward and give more 10
each one of the boards, and thereby hasten
the coming OF Christ. The way % more lib
eral giving is higher Christian living.