The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-11-27
Missionary Enterprise Denounced.

Plymouth Church in Brooklyn, HENRY
WARD BEEcnER's old church. has decided
almost unanimously that it will give no
more money to the American Board OF
Foreign Missions. tho Congregational So
ciety to which it has been accustomed to
make its contributions for the conversion
OF tho heather.
The reason for the decision was thus ex-
planned by Mr.. RossITER w. RAYMOND at a
meeting OF the church on Friday evening:
~ am sick and tired Of going to the American Board
in suerancs to aid IN supporting missionaries who be-
Meve out and ont in the damnation Of all the heather,
and that damnabe heresy that Con doesn't love the
heather. lam tired OF the whole miserable humbus.
and won't give cent to spread the news Of damna.
tion. won't let the damnsbls doctrine be disseminate.
cd BY my money"
With the exception OF a single individual,
the whole meeting agreed with Mr.. RAY
MoND'S sentiments. The missionary con-
tributions Of Plymouth Church accordingly
will be given hereafter for the support OF
the Rev. Mr.. MOVES. a missionary to Japan
who does not believe In the damnation OF the
heather. and who was consequently rejected
by the American Board. or course. people
who give money have q right to say to
son to find any fault with this decision OF
Plymouth Church. II. however, that church
does not fear that the Japanese will be con-
signed to hell because of their present reig-
ion. but believes that they can go to heaven
in spite OF it. why should it make any con-
tributions at all for their conversion?
This American Board was tho first Of the
great Protestant missionary societies for
the conversion OF the heather. and from
the beginning until now it has proceeded
on the theory that unless brought over to
the Christian faith the henthen are doomed
to everlasting damnation. On that ground
1t has always appealed to its supporters,
and only their belief that salvation depends
on such conversion has kept its treasury
supplied with funds and enabled it to OBJ
tain men and women III missionaries in its
service. Never until very recent years has
there been any difference Of opinion in Con-
gregat,onai or any orthodox churches as to
that matter. They have given their money,
at the expense Of great individual self
sacrifice for tho solo purpose Of saving the
souls of the heather from Elimination. They
have been cxhorted to such liberality by
the clerical agents OF the society on the
ground that their negligence to contribute
for tho preaching OF the Gospel to these
bcnightcd souls would make them re-
sponsibe at the Judgment Day for the
awful consequences.
II. therefore. Mr.. RAYMOND represents
the prevailing Congregational sentiment as
faithfully rs he represents the sense OF
Plymouth Church in particular. its mis-
sioIury enterprise has lost its motive force.
The time is not distant when il will give
up the effort To convert the heather as no
longer obligatory on tho conscicnccs Of
COngregationaisrs. II the sole function
OF the missionaries Is not to save souls
from damnation. tho enormous sums ncces-
sary for their support will not be contrib
uted. The heather themselves. no longer
alarmed by descriptions OF such fate il
they do not accept Christianity will not SEQ
the need OF changing their religion. II thc,'
can be saved independently Of the Gospel,
why should they not go on as they are? II
their moral improvement is tho sole end
OF the missionary enterprise. they will
hnve good reason to resent the agency as
impertinent. since they know from observ-
ing the run OF Christian foreigners they
meet that their morals are no better than
their own.
1T Is the consciousness that the only roa-
son for the existence 0f;he American Board
Is tho theory that the heather will be
damned unless they become Christians
that has prevented its managers from
Welding to the Universalism Of the Ply