The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1902-11-21
GOSPEL BOAT.

The laborer is worthy OF hf,+k Re
salary in the original -
All human beings have theiS " s.
ness. yet God has seen fit 70 entru "A
them the spreading of the gospel. n
Man is left largely TO use bis d 4,
judgment as to methods used IN l.. I
great work of uplifting fallen humanity
Open air meetings were the first, thef
came the great tent or tabernacle, late'
the magnificent temple ot.Solonya
private houses, caves. catac ~ Z
tombs and shady groves. has-y - a..
brought into use as occasic $50, = !. -
Substantial churches of voc p
stone school houses and 2
buildings ali contribute foa.s o. i
venienees necessary ter .sn ry
glad tidings, '1n ! "'g
Gospel wagons p6ne pau VI
there are neither churches. school no n
or regular service. Gospel boats e j
the truth along our canals aud our Fl a
lakes, while missionary boats stop y
thousands of harbors and islands VII
the gospel has never beforeb6 en- prea !
ed aud where it is hailed with deE u
by those whose surroundings natul
estrange them from religion. =
method is as legitimate as another J.,
the best method under certain q IL
tons may not be the best under 0tl "
In regard TO supporting the go,
the methods Of raising the money 93A
as various as the methods fer carTsaN
On the work,
Some churches rent their pews keI
the year. some take subscriptions lhr
persons who agree to pay a Certain
for the year, either all ats once oriNe
monthly payments or a smaller sum Ser
envelopes each Sunday, which SUM
credited on the bOoks-This Is called
systematic giving or paying and the ac
counts are as accuzteiy kept as are the
books Of mercantile establishment
Some churches charge a regular adj
mission fee every time CAe Of It's mem,
bors takes "A seat 1t will be readily
seen that this Is a very efficient method
iu a church where the membership is
over five thousand. Also az campmeet
ings. Sunday schools aud other religious
assemblies. salvation army and Holun
teer meetings very often. and with
some bodies invariably a regular adms
sion fee Is charged.
Other chuTches societies or religion,
bodies take a voluntary Offering eifnef-
at the entrance, or after the audience Is,
seated. or the Offering may be br0uels.
Forward and plaosti ss1r-l ify--tsr5fr.- ~ -
posted in tox or other receptacle at
the door.
Societies sometimes support their
work in part by the sale of garments.
refreshments or other articles of value,
either donated by friends or bought for
the purpose.
All Of these and other methods are
recognized as legitimate, and 1.-THE civil
law does not interfere or dictate how
any religious body, churh or society
shall conduct its work or raise the nee
essary means tor its support. But II
does stand by and lend ;Ceiping hand
and assist in collecting money that
has been promised by note or subscrip-
ton and payment refused.
We have the best government Oh
earth and il guarantees religious liberty,
and an equal right before the law f0f
all religions denominations, societies or
persons 10 perform their respective du-
ties according TO their own best indg-
menT
is there any place on earth where
gospel work is more needed than on the
rivers aud other waterways OF our
country
Is there any better way in the world
to teach gospel truths than by illustra-
tons, or comparisons-co or
parallels, us Christ dids Thousands of
churches are buying SteroOpticans ard
pictures, maps, ETC., for the purpose Of
illustrating 5. ;. lessons, sermons, lee
lures, etc.
Our government not only grants the
utmost religious liberty in belief and
legitimate methods Of work but affords
protection TO all gatherings and property
either in church buildings, vacant stores
or houses, tents. boats or open air.
The law provides heavy penalties Tor
disturbing or breaking up meetings in
any of the places and one IS entitled TO
protection just as much as another.
A Thousand dollars IS spent in this
country for pleasure where one is spent
for the spread of the gospel-no church
receives more money than It can use to
advantage-in fact all our churches
missionary and other societies are much
hlndered in carrying on their work for
the want Of money. Any church or
society has perfect right to raise
money in any legitimate manner for
carrying on its work without inter
ference.
Half q million people have attended
these services ON our boats, and our
work has been universally well received.
We have hundreds Of testimonials
from college presidents. preachers.
teachers, managers of iails, Peniten-
tiaries. orphan asylums where we have
done much gratitous work; besides our
regular license to preach. issued by the
conference and we innccently supposed
that it was not Necessary to get il re-
newed by the city clerk
Ii the breaking up of our meetings and
confiscation of property on our boat had
occurred in Africa. India or China 1t
would not be surprising. but in our
Christian America. the land where we
boast of civil and religious liberty it
could not occur IN any other place than
this city.
As far as the citizens are concerned
we heartily thank them for their kind
words and sympathy, aud when we
build oui new gospel boat to seat 1000
people for use at the Worlds Fair in st,