The Portland daily press., 1898-02-18
SYSTEMATIC BENEFICENCE.
Baptist Oh urches of Western Maine De-
bate the Subject.

dresses at the First Baptist church, yes
terday. The occasion was conferences VI
the Baptist churches of western Maine
held lnder the auspices OF the national
and state commissions of systematic oene
foence. There was an attendance Vi
about 100 at the forenoon session, twlce
that number in the afternoon, wniie ohe
body of the church was well tiled at the
evening ser. ice.
Rev, S. FL. Emery of Saco, presided
during the forenoon. After scripture
reading by Rev. G. K. Flanders OF BID
deford, brief prayer service was heia
and then the topics of dissertation anu
discussion were taken up.
"Elements of good pastoral leadership
in developing the grace of giving was
the subject assigned for discussion. hev.
| w. n. Thomas of Lewiston, opened the
discussion. He said that to be successful
| in developing systematic giving among
his parishioners the pastor should have
deem nersonal interest and faith in the
objects of beneficence; he should set n
GOOD example by giving of his own
means: he should not only preach upon
the subject, but should endeayor to bring
to the attention of parishioners, by per-
sopal contact, the need of contributions.
little face to face talk often achieves
more in touching the sympathy and the
pocketbook than a great deal of preaching
The pastor should convince his parishion-
ers that there is relation between silver
and salvation, gold and grace.
Rev. W. S. Ayres of Portland, said
that the pastor who leads his flock into
the paths Of sbenevslence will at the same
time be leading them into larger. love of
Jesus Christ. He urged the adoption of
methods of systematic donations for mis-
sions. OF the twenty Baptist churches
in the Cumberland association only
three have yet sent in to the American
Baptist. Missionary Union this years con-
tributions for foreign missions. The
others will doubtless send theirs before
the close of the church year, March 3lst,
but the withholding till the end of the
year of money collected for foreign mis-
ions forces the union to hire funds. The
interest on such loans could be saved to
the union if churches throughout the
country would promptly remit Etheir col
iections. More than half of the 1925, 0cO
expended by the American Baptist Mis-
sionary union in carrying on its work
during the year just closing must come
in during the last month of the church
year. In regard to developing interest in
giving for missions, Mr.. Ayres said the
pastors should aim to familiarize their
people with the work that is being done
in the mission fields.
Rev. 1. B. Mower of South Berwick,
spoke briefly on the topic He said that
when the pastor is full of interest in the
objects of benefcence, and his church
members are stcadfast and enthusiastic
Christians, this problem of giving will
take care of itself. Every pastor should
acquaint his people with the conditions
and needs, what is being done. and what
ought to be done, in the line of benef-
cence There should be an intimate ac-
quaintance and communication with mis-
sionaries in the fields. In many churches
the opportunities for giving are not ade-
quate. A systematic plan should exist for
reaching all the members of every parish.
Members who live at remote distances
| from the church, or are prevented from
often attending services should be visited
and given an opportunity to contribute.
Rev. DIR. Burrage, editor OF lions Adj
vocate, made the statement that pastoral
timidity is sometimes PARTLY responsible
for the small contributions of churches to
benevolent objects. The pastor should
have the courage to present these matters
TO his people and solicit their donations.
| Rev. c. K Flanders of Biddeford, ex-
planned the system adopted In that
| church for disbursing funds. All moneys
contributed for objects outside the run
ming expenses of the church are divi ded
proportionately and sent out quarterly.
He recommended the adoption of this
percentage plan, in preference to the
season plan observed by some churches
Rev. Mr.. Atchley of Bath, advocated a
courage of conviction on the part OF the
pastors in presenting to their congrega-
tions the need of giving. Some parish
| toner's prefer QOJ TO near any tAAHe AioAAA
the pulpit that will touch their pocket
books, but the pastor should keep persls-
tentiy at it till the object of his endeavor
is attained.
Rev. David Webster of Lebanon, re-
marked that interest in the subject OF
missions brings enthusiasm. The pastor
who thoroughly believes i'll mission WORK
will have the power to forcibly advocate
contributing money to that object.
| Mr.. b. II. WinsIow of Saco, spoke OF the
need of cheerfulness in soliciting dona'
lions from church members. God loveth
3 cheerful giyer. Cheerful giving is very
likely to follow cheerfulness of presen-
tation Of the objects for which funds are
needed.
| Mrs. Bonney of Portland recalled IA
vorable impression created by pastor
who never allowed the contribution box
to be passed without depositing in 1t an
Offering Of his own. A pastor who sets
this good example is likely to meet with
success in raising funds.