Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-03-16
cuiIacn ENHANCES.

Il CHURCH FINANCES.
l(T. L. EAstman. fryeburg. In Christian Mirror.
| have been asked to say few word
on some subject Of practical importance
to church, and as my work for tn,
church has been done In connection Will
1.-THE sswsys and Means" Committee,
will give few thoughts on "Churcl
Finances"
When the first disciples were sent out
they were told to take no money tn thetl
purses, but times have changed, and W
realize that our pastors are not only
"worthy OF their hire" but must have
it. That being admitted, there must b
financial side OF the church, or thu
Ispiritusl side will suffer.
To my mind the finances Of the church
and parish should be conducted on strict
| " business principles just as any sue
cessful business man conducts his affairs
There are several ways Of raising the
necessary funds to carry on church
work. In some places the pews are tax
led. Upon this subject do not fee
we'll informed. am inclined to think
however, that II the church could own
the pews and make them free to the con
gregstion IL would be an improvement
over the present way OF individual own.
ership. In order to carry out the above
plan, for churches sltusted as our own,
the pew owners should give their pews
to the church, which l, for one, would
be willing 10 do. To make this practi-
cal suppose It would require unani-
nous vote Of the proprietors OF the pews.
| merely throw this thought in, that II
may bring out better plan.
| In our society the funds are raised nv
popular subscription. OF course we oc-
casioually find the man who says, when
the subscription book Is presented, ION,
Ives; I'll give something, but l don't
want to put my name down." forgetting
that something cannot be added In the
same column with dollars and cents, and
also making 1t impossible for the collect
or 10 know how much he can count on.
Brothers In the pews, put down that
something" In black and white, be IL
large or small gift.
We use the so-called envelope system
In pay ing our subscription. Small en-
velopes are placed in every pew and the
contribution Is put In one OF these and
sealed, with amount, date, and name OF
giyer on the face OF IL. The collector
credits each sum TO the account OF the
person named on the envelope. In this
way one can paw quite large subscrip-
ton and hardly feel the tax. recon-
mend this method 10 any church not
using IL already.
But are our funds and contributions to
be used entirely for our own church and
society," Are We not "our brothers
keeper" and In a measure responsible for
those less fortunate than ourselves, both
In our own and in foreign lands: We
hear Il said that "Charity begins at
home" but the home must be pretty
mean, and the inmates thereof very
shiftless, who would willingly remain
objects OF charity year after year.
The question OF benevolence Is one
that each church must settle for itself
according TO its ability, but IL Is much
more easily settled by having In this, as
in other matters, some system, and so
think that, at stated times perhaps once
Ia two months. at the longest) special
collection should be taken for some mis-
sionsry purpose and sent through the
proper missionary society 10 the object
or field agreed upon. The up-to-dste
pastor can be depended on TO suggest
the most needy fields.
The treasurer should keep an accurate
account OF all moneys received, and OF
disbursements, taking receipts for every
item. Before entering upon the duties
of his office, he should give to the finance
committee his bond in such amount -
would seem proper, for the faithful dis
chsrge Of his duties.
The clerk should keep correct record
Of all business meetings (Which should
be held AT stated times, according to It's
bylaws SO that their records will stand
law, should any circumstances bring
them before court Of justice. The
clerk should also conduct all Its cor
respondence, and at the end OF the
church year submit report OF the same.
The finance or prudential committee
should have q general supervision and
care of the funds, investments, and prop
erty Of the church. They should care
fully look after all its financial interests
and STAIRS, invest all funds In such man
ner as the church may direct; collect all
income arising from any investments,
and paw the same TO the treasurer and
report their transactions 10 the church
At the annual meeting, together with an
inventory OF all property belonging to
the church.
hold that church, or. In fact, any
fraternal institution. should never loan
its funds 10 an individual. Ii might put
the individual 10 great Inconvenience to
respond promptly, and thus IL Is possible
10 create bad feeling between fellow
members, and even 10 bring church busi-
ness into court. Moreover, a committee
Is liable 10 have more or less trouble In
collecting notes from individuals. So
would place the church and parish funds
in some reliable savings institution, even
though the interest may not be quite as
large as an Individual might pay. In so
doing, the funds are always available.
Therefore consider savings bank the
proper place for such funds until needed.
The officers selected to conduct the
affairs Of church should be above re-
proach, giving no chance TO doubt their
honesty aud uprightness. They should
also III IL Is possible TO find such) be
possessed Of certain business tact,
agreeable, not only to their brethren In
the church, but also TO the general pub
lie with whom they come in contact In
church work, in many ways.
Slsckness In the management OF its
business affairs is often the cause OF dis
sension and weakness In church. But
believe IL is equally true that the church
that conducts its business on strictly
business principles will be healthy and
prosperous.