The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1901-01-11

the end all Of thewbole business Often
when church is going to call a pas
tor the most prominent question con-
slderet ss to his fitness is, "What are
his abilities as financier?" Not How
does ne preach? Is he spiritually.
minded? Is he good pasto,? But,
Can ne bring things to pass in money
matters? Alas, that it should be 30;
but believe it often is. And 1 feel
sure that though we may not have
reached the blatant MONDAY of merce-
nary spirit in religious things, tho
tendency ID toward it. I do not zee
that tho case is hopeless, nor very
grievous. 1t is easy to see some of the
conditions that help to bring about this
condition. The poorly endowed de-
nominational college, struggling for
existence, is forced to cry, Money,
morey. The agent of this board, and
that board, is forced by a depleted
treasury, by stern want often, and the
cry is, Money money money!" Pooly.
equipped colleges appeal to every
thoughtful man interested in their
welfare, and the one apparent, par
omouut issue is seemingly money.
Money makes things hum in ma.
terial spheres. We see its transform.
ing power there, and Often We are
swept away in the vortex that threat
ens to swallow up everything in sight.
We are tempted to erect golden
image, and to fall down and worship
it. There is grave danger that money
become master in religious matters as
we'll as in social and material affairs.
1t had terrible grip on one the dis
ciples-Jndas, in the long ago. And
it is possible that disciple in this lat
ter days may get into the same sad
state.
At or last State Convention : .. -.
church that 'ssBa s8Baa,si sissns Of the sans 1isposi
contributions. I do not belisve there
was any Intentional effort to do this
, nor that there was any decided mani.
9 festation of this tendency. Bnt l
r tremble to think that there may be
evidences of that spirit in any degree
: I do not mean to thrw reproach upon
/. any one of our pastors who 80 grandly
a leads in finances. I am willing, ano
.; indeed, glory in the fact that we ar
4. coming to possess losge nomber o
u men who are we'll to do, and are con
0, triibuting largely to education, ant
es and church support, and missions
every other worthy object. But q
not believe they should be held up q
models. A man who is rich, and VII
~ has the spirit of Jesus Christ, will CIV
U: handsomely; and it he has the modest
that an humble follower OF Jesc
en- shoould have, the less said about d
.p' Iebefality the better he will like :,
ve And to this impulse to glorify II
he large rivers is often founded upon
nd assnm ption. We see the large resu
lu. in dollars and at once pass Judgmen
me Now submit that if money is to
ip. the standard, it must not be the nun
Of her of dollars contributed, but t
ing proportion between ability and t
it amount contributed. And O
best get at what do mean by prese'
the ing an incident that once occnrr'
ton A good many years ago there was
now Door widow who went up to contrib
too tionbox in temple poarch, and cost
by few cents. Rich menpreceded
ong and gave costly gifts Hers '
aim meagSe as to intrinsic value but ,!,
bs Teacher standing by with his disciE
3 we sa;I TO them. "She hath cast in m
is than they all" How about thatf
'ncs, was simple a matter Of proporat
'igns They out of their abundance; she
ding of her deep povety, contributed
ming then let IA delight in the large 6
lg in hut let us also encourage the se
most nos ingly small oaes. And if we AN
The make money the test OF exceiienc'
ncial it be upon the basis Of ability
.mple amount-not upon the latter aion