The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-03-24
.BAPT|sTs TO RAISE MONEY
Debt of American Missionary So.
ciety Nearly Half a Million.
TEN MILLIONS Discussed
Washington Churches Have Made a
Great Effort to Contribute Their
PrOportiOnate Share-John ID.
Rockefeller Reported to Have
Promised Nearly Half the Amount.

The Ma ;ority ofthe Washington churches
Of the Baptist denomination are making a n
energetic effort TO raise AS much money
as possible to add to the fund necessary
to discharge the debt of $4s6, 900 weigh
| ing upon the missionary society OF the
Baptist church. The returns are required
to be made April 1, and a special appeal
is made to Baptists here and elsewhere
! for liberal donations, SO that the debt may
/ he Immediately lifted from the Missionary
! Union.
| One of the most generous men in the
Baptist church is Mi John ID. Rockefeller.
| the oil magnaue 1t has been said that he
promised $500 200 this year TO the fund
if the churches OF the country would raise
the mainder.
Last Sunday was set apart for the general
rally TO the relief OF the board but the
amount realized in this city has not been
ascertained, although it is believed to
have reached a considerable sum.
The returns are required TO be made April
/, and a special appeal is made TO Baptists
here and elsewhere, for liberal donations,
lifted from the Missionary Union, next Sun
day having been set apart for the effort.
IL will be designated as chapel day.
and general rally to the relief Of the
board is confidently expected
In lis sixty-five years OF existence, with
its expenditure during that time OF more
than SIC, coo ,00o, the society has never
been 50 overwhelmed by debt as now In
that time IL has helped TO organize nearly
D 600 Baptist churches. 1t has assisted in
the building of about 1 800 neeting-houses
and has spent So OOO, 900 IN educational
work among the negroes. 1t now has more
than / Go missionaries and teachers scat
tered throughout the world, ana is con
Seauently building chapels in the United
States. especially in the sparscly settled
Western sections.
The first symptom Of debt appeared dur
ing the panic of 1898 with the fan in
values, the failures and the inability OF
many subscribers to continue their dona-
tons There also was decrease IN leg
acies. which contributed to swell the debt.
The former large expenditures Of the ST
ciety have been continued. although the
income is far less than it was. The so-
ciety is experiencing great difficulty iii
obtaining funds different causes are 10.
blame Tor this chiefly business depression
and tie low prices obtaining for agriegf-
turaI products. which prevent the farming
community from subscribing with their
past wonjed Iiberality.
Tie delt threatens ~ Increase in size
unless some extraordinary provisions be
made for its payment. If the att empt to
.,
pelled to order d radical rctrenchment
II is believed the society is loath to do
this, owing TO the widespread distress pre-
vailing, especially in the West. which it
desires to relieve as much as lies in its
power 1t has reliable information that,
owing to the lack of money, the suffering
there is intense.
Because OF this state of affairs not only
have contributions diminished, bot many
churches no longer aide TO meet their
own expenses. are closing and are forced
TO get along without religious meetings
Other churches indebted TO the Home
Mission Society for money borrowed To
build meeting houses are unable TO pay
either principal or interest. still others
are at the point where mortgages Will be
foreclosed on them, not by the Home
Mission Society, but by other persons who
are not connected with the society, and
who have loaned money and are demand
ing its payment, even though church prop
erty is sacrificed Many pastors who
were TO get small salaries, are not even
able to collect that sum, insufficient as it
NAV tie. and consequently, are wanting
for food and clothing Moreover, State
ciety, cannot meet their proportion OF
the expenses, throwing heavy additional
burden upon the society's treasury.