Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-12-14
SHALL WE PROTEST
Against the Ever Increasing Appsr-
tiOnment Of Our BenevoIences9

The above heading constituted the
subject for paper prepared and read
BY Rev. L. L. Lockard, of this city,
before the Decorah District Conferences
Of the M. E. church, at New Hampton,
Iowa, Nov. 30th. The pastors of the
district and all present at the confer
ence were 50 deeply impressed with the
discussion of the subject that by unaui-
nous vote Mr.. Lockard was requestsd
to have the paper published in paul-
phlet form for distribution among the
members of the several churches In
this district. Beliving that our read
ere will enjoy reading it, we give il in
full below
l fancy there will be numerous pod
tiOns taken on this question. In Ifs
discussion, and in the positions taken
upon it, can see two dangers, viz:
/. Going to the extreme of narmw-
ness and selfishness on the one hand. az,
2. Under strong emotional excite
ment going to the other extreme of Inn
practical and visionary plans of i'm
possible execution.
We shall endeavoY to avoid these
extremes and find the rational mean
in our consideration of this question
There are two view points, at least,
from which the subject will be viewed,
viz
l. The fields where the money is
raised.
2. The fields where the money is
used
From the view point of the givers
will come the protests mainly, and
from the following classes:-
L. The willing givers who contribute
TO all church expenses, and who see
these expenses gradually increasing
with no corresponding Increase in their
resources, and who feel that the limit of
their giving has already been reached.
2. The unwilling givers who are nat
now giving, and never have given
according to their ability, and who
dread the urgent and continued calls "a
duty. .s.. -
.. The selfish people who begrudse
anything they give or do that does nat
directly minister to their own selfish
ease, or comfort, or ambition. They
are narrow and short-sighted people
who can only see their own cummuuify
or church, or home; or if they dc see
ought else, they look into the large eud
of their field glass and see it greatly
minitied.
Probably other reasons may be
given for protesting against the
ever increasing opportionment of aur
benevolences; but the only one that
can have weight with thoughtful peg
pie is our inability to meet such aa
apportionnent. !.
Is such reason sound? There Is
opportunity here for endless dispIlta-
ton. do not know that there is any
way Of finding out how much OF the
property of the world is held by Meta
odists. If we could estimate closely
we could not then arrive at any salts
factory conclusion, for the questions OF
income, and e1pense,' and tinaRci0f
ability, would still be unsolved.
| have not gone very deeply into
figures and statistics, etc., but have
consulted the minutes of Our conference.
and therein find that the 36, EOS full
members of our conference give about
$500 each, less the amount that is
given by non-membefs, for all churs.
purposes; and that ab5ut' 81 63 each is
given for the various benevolent causes
reported as sucn in the minutes. In
clude amounts given for bishops and
conference claimants, and the result is
$l.S0 per member. In my humble
opinion there are comparatively few of
our people who cannot give $500 to the
Lords work; and majority could. If
willing, do much better than that
Now, should the Upper Iowa Confer
ence, with its wealth and resources,
call halt on the line or 50 80 per men,
Der? There will come decided mo"
from not few who have been long
praying for the conversion of the world,
and have Teen giving, and more freely
giving, as the Years ass and whose
hearts have been glad enei by the
tidings from the battle. in so many
quarters of the globe; and of The new
conquests that are contemplated, and
the ever developing needs as the battle,
is pressed to the final victory. They
have prayed the Lord of the harvest
that he would send more laborvrs into
his harvest, and have stood ready to
help answer their own prayers, when
the time should come to support those
additional laborers. Shall they protest
now? Nay, verify.
Now, IL we view this question from
the fields where the money Is spent, or
DrOOOsed To he epent examining thSs