The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-09-03
SILVER AND MISSIONS.
STARTLING PHASE OF THE QUES-
TON SUGGESTED.
VIII Free Coinage Curtail the Foreign
Mission Work One-half?-Mr.
Chester's Letter.

Under the caption Of Foreign Missions
at he FAN Presbyteries." Mr.. s. IL.
Chester. writes as follows in the Central
Presbyterian, OF August 26-h:
The situation OF our Foreign Mission
work, present and prospective, Is such
as TO call for the most earnest considera-
ton by our Presbyteries at their fall
meetings. We have observed for some
time the method OF disposing OF the busi-
ness OF our Home and Foreign Mission
work by our Church courts in what are
called popular meetings" The popular
meetings are well enough when confined
TO the specific purpose Of stimulating in
terest in these causes. but observation
has convinced us that the committee re-
ports and all Presbyterial business con-
nccted with the cause should be kept
entirely out Of them, and should be
brought up and considered by the Pres
byteries In their business hours, as not
only regular business but as the most
important business that can come before
them. We hope that shis will be done
with regard 10 our Foreign Mission work
at the approaching meetings Of the Pres
byteries And we wish 10 lay before the
Presbyteries especially the emergency that
viii be created for our cause IN case the
free coinage OF silver cause should tri
umph in the present political campaign.
Whether that cause will triumph or be
defeated we think that no one can now
foretell. And II II should triumph, wheth-
er the hopes of those who hope for IL or
the fears OF those who dread 81 will be
realized. in respect 70 the general pros
perity Of the country. we also believe that
no one can now certainly foreteil But
I'm either case It's triumph is obliged 20
create n very great emergency I'm our
Foreign Mission work; a situation which
Il behoOvos Us TO provide for before i
comes, II we would not see our work I'M
medatelyz curtailed by one-half
The reason, which ell can readily see
and understand IL this. All our Foreign
Mission work Except that in Africa. is
carried on in countries that are on
silver basis, the currency used being eth
er the Mexican silver dollar or the Span
ish milreis. At present one dollar OF our
American currency purchases Two silver
dollars in tho East. and the value or
two silver dollars IN South America. This
state OF things has come about since the
depreciation OF silver, and, inasmuch as
the value OF the silver dollar. measured
by articles OF living. has been only slight
" affected, has enabled us to nearly
double the amount of work and working
force which the same amount or income
would support before the depreciation OF
silver.
Now the expectation Of our free silver
marty is that the establishment Of free
coinage BY this country will immediately
uestore sixteen ounces OF silver 90
naritv with one OF gold the world over
II such should be the case IL might ne
FOOD thing for the general prosperity.
and 80 I'm the long run, for the cause Oh
Foreign Missions. But the Immediate
effect of Il must be 20 reduce the capacity
of our present income for the support OF
The vvorl, NV nearly onc-half. The Execu-
two committee feels that it has the right
20 call on the Church and 70 ASK the
presbvtories 10 devise the means 10 puL
us I'm the position 90 meet this emergency
n ,f shouid come. as it Is by no means
impossible that IL may.
on the other hand there are those VINO
,oar that the triumph OF the free SILVER
copsa will bring temporarily at least.
nsric and financial chaos. If this should
accnr Of course our Foreign Mission
80. would suffer and We ought to be
fortised before hand for such possloie
contingency. Tho fortidcation we need
ia mat OF reserve funds IN our treasury.
We must look above Of course, ana pl'
our trust I'm God. But the prudent man
eoreseeth the evil and hideth himself
we will indica-e next week some OF me ne
- va mink our Presbyteri's ought 70
40 AZ their approaching meetings.