The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-11-10
REV, Mr., MILLER
AND FANCY FAIRS
Objects to Eating Oysters
in the Name of Re-
ligion.
He Says Christians Should Give
Without Getting a Quid
Pro Quo.

The Presbyterian Ministerial Union had
''quiz day" yesterday and one of the
questions propounded was, "What are
your views concerning the raising of
money for church purposes By means of
bazaars and fancy fairs?"
Rev. o. G. Miller, being called on to lead
the discussion, gave forth his views with
no uncertain voice. After describing how
Christ threw the money-changers and the
merchants out of the temple he touched
on, modern church entertainments and
methods of raising money thereby. "They
are indeed worse.' said Mr.. Miller, ethan
the state of things that Christ found in
the temple.
Clambakes, oysterbakes and other forms
sometimes taken by church socials were
described and the speaker said:
How could We enjoy them if we real
lied that Christ was there? l think these
dissertations have arisen through our not
realizing that it is the house of God.
Christ said: DO not make my fathers
house house OF merchandise Paul
spoke against such things when he said:
Have ye no houses to eat IMP The Scrip
lures say that we are not to give for the
OF oyster soup for the sake of Christ he
also eats because he likes it."
Mr.. Miller clinched these remarks with
several anecdotes; one of them was about
city in the East with a number of
churches, all of which had been built by
eating, and another was of man who,
trying to sell bazaar ticket, was chided
by an infidel with the remark: Zone
would think your God was bankrupt"
The speaker concluded his remarks bv
stating that nothing could be found in the
Scriptures to justify the raising of money
for church purposes by means of bazaars
and fancy fairs.
Rev. f. A. Doane, who was appointed to
continue the discussion, said he frankly
owned the principle was wrong, but when
board bill was staring a man in the face
he thought one was compelled to look at
the matter in broader light. He con-
sldered that sale OF work, in a hall,
where the sales were conducted legiti-
mately, was not violation of any divine
law. DR.. Ketchum said that God had laid
down rule: People were to give tythes
of all they possessed TO supply the church
funds" Rev. ]. r. Reynolds thought
socials and entertainments could be made
q means of conversion.
The second QUIZ question was on the
effects of revivals by travelling evangelists.
Rev. DR.. Ketchum said that in his expert
ence the result had been disastrous, as
the enthusiasm inspired was only super
fetal. Rev. DR.. Marshall testified to the
success of revivals.
Nine. Marie Marshall, who was present,
stated that the French Reformed Church
was $500 in arrears for rent, and that I'M
less aid were forthcoming it would soon
have to be closed. She begged the clergy
men present 10 do all in their power to
help concert which was being ARRANGED
10 raise the much-needed mon " DR..
ketchum reported Tor the Sabbath-ob-
servance committee and commented on
the apathy OF many protesting Christians.
Resolutions commencing the work of
Rev. Thomas Marshall we're adopted
At the Methodist preachers meeting
Rev. c. G. Mines represented the needs
o the Fruilvale NJ. +. Church and Rev. A.
Hummer, DR.. d. I. Bovard and l. ]. Tru-
man were appointed committee to inves-
tigate means of rendering assistance.
Rev. w A. Spencer I'D, general secre-
tary of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Extension Soc ETY., represe ted the in
terests OF that work in an interesting adj
dress. He said that about thousand
new Methodist Episcopal churches were
being built annually in this country, and
that The extension society helped half of
them.
at both the Presbyterian and the
Methods meetings Mrs. H. Luse, State
secretary OF the w c. T. o., requested
that the fourth Sunday in this month be
observed as temperance Sunday. Both
meetings ordered that special temperance
sermons be preached on that dav.
At the clericus Rev Hobart Chetwood
spoke on cremation and opposed its
adoption.
Bishop Newman is expected to arrive
on the 18th inst. He will reside for the
present at the Occidental Hotel.
The wealthy Hebrews OF Bacdad now