New-York tribune., 1900-12-30

noninational adherents and present the causes IN
such manner as TO bring contributions in big sums
Almost every religious body in America ano
England, in Scotland, ireland, and upon the Con-
tinent OF Europe, has some financial scheme IN
hand because Of the coming in Of a new century.
Most Of them are aimed at financially strength
ening existing work by paying debts and securing
endowments. Bodies in this country having the
largest stints before them are the Methoolsts ana
Presbvterians The former limit the amount they
ask for 10 S20O00OOO, but the latter demand all
they can get The Aethodists have secured 100000
Of their stint, and expect TO go beyond the original
figure. Presbyterians refrain from naming any
amount and having just begun work they have
little as yet 10 their credit.
Locally. the biggest money raising plan is that
of paying of the deots all Methodist churches
in Manhattan, The Bronx and the river section
Of the New-York District Of the New-York Con-
ference. The man selected 10 lead in this scheme
is the Rev DR. c. W. Milard. He is the Presiding
Elder Of the district named. but he was selected
from considerations other than that He may have
a little later an executive secretary but he will
remain at the head Of the undertaking. and that
because he is held possess in larger degree than
other members Of the district, the ability to Sc
cure the He is a. old member Of the
New-York Conference but has never been known
as pastor Of the fashionable Methodist churches.
He is OF the people, as Methodists are fond
Of saying. His last charge before being made
Presiding Elder. fremont Church, active
but not a rich congregation.
The debts all Methodist churches in the dis
trict, which goes up the river TO Peekski, and
for the purposes Of this scheme takes in the New
York East Conference churches east of Third
ave, amount altogether to about S700,000 But the
plan embraces more than the paying of church
debts. Some endowments are wanted. especially
for the St Christopher Home, the School for Dea-
conesses and for the Conference Claimants Fund
for aged ministers: At least s.25Oooo viii be needed,
and as soon as the new year begins Methodists,
under the lead Of the Rev Dr. Mllard, are TO try
No other church n the whole country has dared
TO set 50 high stint as the MethodLsts. The Wes-
borrowed the idea. named a million guineas, but
the Methodist bishops IN the United states went
them nearly four times better. For executive sec
Rev DR. Edmund NJ Mills, of EInlira. He had been
master ~ : Isrgs F'IrnSr5 e57,rcb ard Eresidin9
Elder OF district, but he had had experience
his wonderful 5opefuiness. Not that he is san
guine to overzeal, but at the time the Methodists
body with lots Of courage was needed to champion
be Ting 81 c05 a0 be Hs obe Tb 9st ex months
OF the Rev Or. Millss work consisted in making his
SCHEME doomed IN ADVANCE to ma fagre and even at
the end Of a year he was hardly able to DO more
than avoid the question whether he really thought
So be was with his hopefulness the right man
long alone in the field, for the various interests,
and especially the educational. put their own men
in, with the result that they soon fell into wrangles
over territory all wanted TO beg in the Wall Streets
rescue Even yet there is some jealousy. When
Bishop Hurst and Bishop Warren both come 10
New York il pretty certain be said that too
many university plans cry for hearings. The work
of the Rev. DR.. Mills is the visiting of district
conferences the making of hopeful speeches and
the imparting Of information about methods and
progress.
Presbyterians in the North have reached benev-
olent record year Of about 81 000O00 but they are
not content and have commissioned their General
Assembly Moderator. the Rev. Or. Charles A;
Ioickey. 10 visit synods the coming winter and
spring presbyteries and other meetings, and talk
money. The Rev. DR.. Dickey is of the pas
tors OF Bethany Church. Philadelphia, the church
John Wanamaker built from nothing 10 the largest
membership in America, and Mr.. Wanamaker has
nov paid The personal expense of the Moderator
in the campaign that ali the moneys ne may
raise viii 80 direct the purposes named There Is
10 be a big meeting in the interest OF this Presby'
terian scheme in the Fifth Avenue Church in this
city. on January 3.
The purpose OF this Presbyterian money cam.
rafgn Is the that Of the Methodist, with
the addition OF money for missions, for extension
of denominational work and for work Of the vari
ous svnods other religious bodies North and
south have money raisers in the held, and tht
men and women known 70 be possessed OF money
and Charitable dispositions will have plenty of de
nands made upon them.