The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1896-10-10

under the direction or heV. l)r. n.
j. kynett, of Philadelphia. This
money is loaned on mortgages on
church edi6ces, throughout the
country, at a low rate of interest.
Much of this money is loaned in the
West and the struggling new
churches have, through the hard
times which have followed the agita-
ton for free silver, in many instanc-
cs, been unable to meet their mort
gage obligations. The result has
been that the work of Church Ex-
tension has been greatly hindered,
and the mission fund will have to re-
main idle to tide the new churches
to tide owe this distressing period.
The churchmen have not been at a
loss to place the blame for this CON
ditlon of things where it belongs, on
the free silver agitators. OF course,
the proposition to pay one-hundred-
cent debts with 6ty-three-cent dol
lars is a moral question which might
we'll arouse the religious element of
the nation in opposition.
Similar statements are made as to
the Church Edifce Fund of the Bap-
fist Home Mission Society: also the
Presbyterian Board of Missions.
The impression sought to be made is
that the free silver agitators are, by
these c~hurchmen, held responsible
for the embarrassed conditions referr-
ed to.
Those in charge of the other
church funds can answer for them
selves, or allow the statements to
pass unchallenged. On questions of
fact, as related to Methodist Church
Extension, ] speak officially. In
matter Of opinion, on which persons
composing the management may
differ, [ speak only for myself.
On questions of fact ! have to say
that our Treasurer's reports for years
past indicate no great change in the
condition of churches borrowing, I'M
til within the last four years, and,
with the exception of that period,
the difficulty alluded to has been of
gradual growth. There is no great
er a%cuteness of the trouble percepti-
Bile as a result of sfree silver agita-
ton The interest received on
loans was greater in 1895 than in
1894 and the same is true of the
amount of loans returned, and the
present indications render it proba-
bic that the receipt of loans return
ed and of interest during 1896 will
be about equal to those of 1895, and
in excess of those of 1894. | find
in the facts shown by the Treasur-
er's report, absolutely no justiica-
ton for the statement hal sthe
blame for this condition of things
belongs with the free-silver agita-
tors
Now, as to questions of opinion, l
speak solely for myself. The diff
Guilty with our Methodist churches,
including those indebted to us for
loans, that has resulted in the seri-
Gus embarrassment of Missionary.
Church Extension and other benev-
client work arises out of the great re-
duction that has taken place within
the last twenty years in the value Of
farm lands, and farm products and
the paralysis of manufacturing and
mining industries throughout the
country. Churches indebted to oul
Loan Fund are chiefly in farming
manufacturing and mining commu.
mites, and, of course, suffer in theil
ability to pay debts or make benev
client contributions. Whatever ma,
have been the cause Of this great re
duction it has been coincident will
. the disuse of silver and the estab
iishment of Il single gold standard
: This general condition is, at til,
same time, the cause of our embar
assments, and of the free silver aoi
tation. 1t is an outrageous ant
: cruel wrong to accuse directly, or b,
implication, the great body of thu
; people thus embarrassed and seeking
< relief, with dishonesty, or with a dis
position to repudiate any obligation
: personal, corporate, or of the state o
nation. To demand payment of oil,
{ obligations in money of "a new ant
i, higher standard of value is wors,
than Shvlock for it is not so nomi
mated in the bond" These debt
= are all payable in "ooIN" or il
Itlawful money Of tho Tp;to,