Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1894-01-18
Church Fairs and Amusements

With a deep. earnest and true love OF
the Church Of God. q sincere desire to
promote its interest. and under a sol
emn sense Of duty, the present writer
takes this occasion TO express, with all
eandor. his views in regard to the sub
iect named. Shrinking from the idea
and responsibility OF offending one OF
the little ones that believe in Christ, be
will speak plainly, but very kindly 10
reference to the multiplied church en-
tertainments, such as fairs, festi'a ais,
concerts. table .uy, amateur theatrials
and the Ike. resorted TO, 70 raise mon
ev for the advancement of church in
terests. These methods of raising
money. professedly for the advancement
of the Lords cause, the writer honestly
believe 10 be contrary to the precepts
and example of Gods Word, therefore
they cannot be pleasing TO Him. They
are counterfeit methods of giving and
cultivaiIng a bogus benevolence.
The simple method Of free will offer
ings was approved in the Divine Econo-
nv and all other methods virtually
condemned.
Let the candid reader earthly study
tx. IS: 3, u, %; Cor. 8 and 9; Luke
6: 50 aud Matt 10: ..
Onc-tenth or ore cheerfully end di-
rectly given, was the law Of the Old
Testament stewardship and it is the
privilege Of the new We did not hear
of Moses instituting grand carnival
or bazaar, to draw the surrounding
heather to his camp 10 help raise money
to build the tabernacle, and if we did
read it, it would be a subject OF scorn
and derision. Nor do we read in any
OF Paul's Epistles a suggestion to the
saints If Corintb, or elsewhere, 10 get
ND some amateur theatricals or lsthmi-
an games to raise MONEY Tor the poor
saints Of Jerusalem. Nor 90 we hear
of his having exhorted Lydia, on other
women, 10 get up grand fair festival,
baby show, or anything ot the kind to
raise money for any Christian or godly
purpose. But hc did exhort them to
Law bv them on the first day Of the week
as God bad proposed them. in order to
meet the necessary acquisitions that
were upon them 1t is thus from the
sacred Word that we learn what and
how is the Divine plan for the nantes
tation of our Christian charity, and we
have right to infer that no other plan
will meet the Divine appreciation. The
modern plans alluded to above. we are
constrained to pronounce as bcltiling
to the cause Of religion, contemplate,
and sometimes positively dishones'.
What think you tho master would
say Of a Devy Of vain and
Young ladies. fascinating and oornering
susceptible young men to sell them
commodities above value and what they
do not want9 Or what think YOU, lie
would say. of the many devices, like
grab-bags. fish ponds. ring-cakes and /
rallies, involving the gambling principle.
Still mrthur. what would tie say of a
people claiming to be members of His
church, pcddlmg out small ware and
fun to the world, or getting up yarie-
ty show, or milk-maid's drill, to re-
plenish His treasury Is not all this
belit.ling to the church. dishOnoring |
to God, and contemplate in the eyes of
the world? We do not wonder that an
avowed intidel said: II think your
God must be in great need of money by
the tricks the churches practice for
Him.
Many, and indeed alt truly pious
men and women grieve oyer these
things and some of those who aid and
attend these performances do not APP
prove them. " ~, then, have they not
courage and conscience enough to wit
ness against theme No intelligent
Christian can ask Gods blessing upon
such practices, nor expect it to rest
upon money SO procured.
a contemporary journal says The
primitive churches held their feast Of
charity or love, whore socialintercourse
of strictly religious character was en-
ioyed by the disciples Of the Lord In
stead Of these ancient and pious ieSti-
walls we are now accustomed to n class
Of social gatherings Of an entirely diff
ferent character, which areinaugurated
and poEpetuatcd for the special purpose
of obtaining money
When church members are truly
converted to God and have religion
that zoe pocket deep, there will be no
need Of calling in the arts, and fops.
and loafers OF the town to dicker over
rag dolls and rubber babies, and other