Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-08-22

sslet 'em wink" But when those holy orders, these grand bands of Christian civilization, the trainers of our children, the solace of our wives and mothers-the Christian Endeavors; the Young Peoples Bap- tist Society, the Epworth League, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew numbering nearly million and a half people, noble Christians bent on the work of their Savior, often working day and night for years, and fatigued and worn down to their last endurance, propose to ex. pend little of their money by go- ing ing forth as delegates to great cities to SOW the good seed of their cause all over the land, and take recreative rest while doing the Holy work, the Jew editor of Che Commercial rises up and says this IS not timely; it is extravagancei it is layishlng money on foolishness.
 Hear him.
 Six million dollars gone up in prayer-meetings and report meet ings. Will the attendants. will the church, will society Ut large receive. any adequate return from this ex- penditure2 The Commercial does not question the value Of prayer, nor the painful necessity Of reports. But it does question the religious economy of these annual mass-meet- ings.
 {. But the spiritual blessings; think of the spiritual blessings, says an enthusiastic Endeavor near at hand as these lines are penned. Very true, that is the feature to be considered. But the point is just here, spiritual blessings are not bonus to be bought with an excursion ticket. One does not need to travel to get them. Costly pilgrimages are not required of the deyout. What virtue is there in travelling to the end of the earth to enter some crowded hall to pray2 As handed down the Great EGdeav- orer said, And when thou prayest, thou shall not be as hypocrites are, they care to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corner of the streets, that they may be seen of men, and continuing said. But when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou has shut the door, pray to your Father which is in secret. , ,
 Yet the command to the Apostles was to go forth all oyer the earth and teach the gospel.
 There was holy thought that centered as d halo around every movement of these delegates. They went with the hopes and prayers of thrice ten thousand brothers, sis ters, mothers and fathers behind them. Theirs was mission of love. It was mission of mercy. It was mission of glory to their Maker. A Holy journey did they perform. It was sanctified by all the holy teach CTS of Christ; and, yet this combine defender would count pennies over it.
 He goes to the lakes, to the great railroad hotels and summer resorts for his own selfish pleasures. Spends ten times more than any in- dividual meek delegate to these Christian conventions. He goes for health and strength, he says He has a great time with we'll met com rades. Yet he dares to criticise the mild expenditures of these holy bodies of Christian workers, when, possibly, this same critic would have to use a microscope to find one nickle of his contribution to charity, or to any other holy fund.
 When the trusts combine for self ishness and are criticised. this stal wart brave says, Hands off. When the holy orders of Christian civilization, by gathering pennies here and there, through kindness of neighbors and the people they go among, are able to make a trip of mercy. recreation and education, the Commercial editor comes 10 the front and says, Let me hold your purse. You are layishly, fooishly thrOWino away your money.n