The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-11
FUNDS FOR MISSIONS
TO-DAY'S GATHERING OF EMINENT
PRESBYTERIAN DIVINES.
Effort to Harmonic the Different
Plans of Collecting and Dis
bursting the Money.

The special committee of fifteen which is
to try to outline some general principles to
be adopted by the Presbyterian synods of
the United States will meet this morning in
the Century clubroom at the Denison
house. But few of the committeeman had
arrived last night, but they were all ex-
pected to reach the city on the late trains
and on the early trains this morning. The
Rev. r. M. Hayes, of Oregon was first to
arrive. The Revs. w. H. Logan, of Balti-
more. ]. McClusky Blayney of Kentucky
and David s. Tappan, d. D.. of Ohio were
at the Denison House for dinner last even
ing The gentlemen were noncommital as
to their views touching upon the great
question to be discussed No decision can
be reached by this committee, and it can
only report recommendations to the Gen
eral Assembly, and even that body will not
dictate to the synods regarding the plans
of collecting and distributing the home mis-
sion funds. The result of the meeting will
probably be a report recommending that the
various synods be permitted to continue the
plans they choose, and that the synods be
requested to follow some general principles
in practice which will bring about more
harmony than has heretofore prevailed
There are several plans in operation. The
rights plan and the national plan The
former is the more modern and is being
adopted by a number of synods. 1t orig
mated in Indiana. Under it the synod
makes the home mission collections, dis
burses what it needs for local use and sends
| the balance to the Home Mission Board in
New York, by it to be distributed among
the weak synods and in the frontier States
and Territories. The national plan requires
IA n tha tod for hrYro Wis
sions be turned over to the home board,
and that the synods draw from this ma
tional board the amounts needed. Illinois
adopted the Indiana plan soon after it was
originated, and was followed by Ohio and
other States. The national plan is still en-
pioyed in more States, however, than the
Indiana plan. New Jersey originated a
scheme of taking two separate collections,
one for local use and one for the National
Board. This plan somewhat modified in
detail. has been adopted by Pennsylvania
and New York. 1t works very satisfactor-
lily to the National Board. but to the un-
initiated it places the synods using it in a
false light. The collection for local use is
never sufficient, and it is necessary for all
three Of these States to call upon the board
never nearly as great as the amount col
lected from that State and sent to the Ma
tional Board, the States have the appear
ance of being ION the board" in the same
manner that a frontier synod is dependent
on the board.
There will be no wrangling in the COM
fed body of men, and they all recognize
the futility of any effort to convince one
another that they are wrong and the use
lessness of such an accomplishment should
it transpire. The several synods will lubt-
less continue as they please whateve- plan
they choose, this committee and the Gen
eral Assembly notwithstanding. But the
committee will accomplish one object 1t
will emphasize the fact that there is Ma
tional Board, and that it has done and is
doing a great work for the church. This
National Board distributes several times as
much money annually as all the SYMBOLS
and it depends upon the synods to raise the
funds. Including the money raised and ex-
pended by the. Woman's Home Missionary
nearly million dollars last year. The
money raised by the women went chiefly
for the employment of teachers and the
maintenance of schools in States and Ter
ritories where there are inadequate school
laws. Much of the money last year went
into the mountainous districts Of Tennessee
Kentucky and North Carolina and New
Mexico.