The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-27
A JOINT MEETING
Societies Of Baptist Anniversaries
Get Together.
IMPORTANT REPORTS PRESENTED
Bearing ON Systematic Benehcence.
and Methods of Collection
Both Were EncOura ging.

Baptist May anniversaries was held this
morning The meeting was called to or
der by E. M. Thresher, president OF the
Home Mission society. After prayers by
Rev. P. L. Henson Of Rhode Island and
Rev. H. IS. Stillwell, Mr.. Thresher was
Howard B.. Crosse of Massachusetts, secre-
tary. The chief object for consideration
was closer coordination Of the work
of the Baptist societies and two impor-
tant reports were presented.
B.. F. Dennison. in making the report
of the commission on systematic benef-
cence said the commissions purpose was
to promte Intelligent, proportionate, sys-
| temattc and distributive benefcences It's
work had been educational and had been
accomplished by quickening the sense OF
Christian stewardship. It had commended
to the church the general cause of benef-
cence and suggested simple, practical
methods of giving. 1t had aimed to Sc
cure from each church, member and at
| tendant contribution for each of the
causes it represented. The first year Of
it's existence it had paid off the debts of
| the Missionary union and the Home Mis-
sion societies amounting to $3.50 900. Last
year the commission had recommended
the appointment of a systematic benef-
cence and the report had been adopted but
owing to the smallness of the majority,
the recommends had not been made
operative. The commission did not re-
new the. recommendation this year, feel
ing that the state and local commissions
were now able to carry on the work.
Collective Agencies.
The report of the committee on col
lective agencies, appointed only last year,
was made by Charles A.. Cook. 1t con-
sisted Of three members each more the
Missionary union, the Home Mission So
ciety and the Publication society. The
committee first Investigated carefully the
means used for eighty -eight years. 1t
found them practically unchanged from
the first, the district secretary being the
agency. The plan was indorsed' on the
showing made of it's results. 1t was
pronounced an economic system.
The committee favored the following
findings: Approval Of the system of dis
trict secretaries; combination of district
secretaries to represent all three soci-
cites would be neither economical nor
eflcient; if~an experiment. in having one
secretary to represent the tire societies
be desired. let it be In a select field and
on small scale.
Secretaries as Advisers. -
The committee expressed approval Of
association secretaries as advisers. The
belief was stated that the church was
never in greater need of education in Civ
ing and that such instruction was the
office of the district secretary. In order
that he might be free for this duty it. was
recommends ed that he be relieved from
clerical work.
- Commission Continued.
{. Charles A. Cook introduced resolution
providing for committee of seven to be
appointed by the presidents of the three
societies, to serve for three years as a
commission on systematic benefieence. II
special fund 81 s., ocean begaigsa,
sone session ef&the annual anniyersaries to
be- spent in hearing the report. u The vote
was overwhelmingly favorable. Il 4.5s
A Lively: Debate.
In taking up the findings of the report
on collective agencies, Dr.. Crandall Of
Chicago moved that steps be taken to
make in some locality the experiment Of
having cnesf2district secretary to repre-
sent all three societies. This brought out
an animated discussion. The argument
centered around the two modern ideas Of
specialization and Of community of inter
est
4 A telling speech was made by John H.
Chapman, president Of the Baptist Young
Peoples Union who applied to the ques-
tion the principles of business. He said:
What we want is not to out down expenses,
but to bring UP our income. l believe in
expansion; believe my Master was an @ex-
pansionist when he gave his command to go
unto all the world and preach the gospel
and I'VE can't refuse to obey his marching
orders. What must do is to multiply dis
trict secretaries and let them specialize
H. L. Morehouse said the only question
was practicability. He.saw no harm in
the test. MrxDe Wolf of New Jersey said
a reorganization along closer5lines more
secretaries in smaller, better worked
|Nfelds, representing the mission work in
a broader manner were the things needed.