The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-25

occupied and neglected fields and conduct
ing the work on evangelistic, economical
and spirit ual lines"
MIR. Simpson makes it clear that the
Gospel Tabernacle is an independent
church, not directly under the control Of
the Alliance. The Alliance, however, is
practically the outcome of the Tabernacle,
and lii view OF the collections taken up in
the latter from time to time, most OF which,
Mr. Simpson says, goes to the work to which
the Alliance is pledged, it is easily seen
that if the Tabernacle is independent of
the Alliance, the Alliance is by no means
independent of the Tabernacle,
Although Mr., Simpson does not say so,
he has admirers who declare without hesita-
ton that he is the head and front of the
Christian and Missionary Alliance and of
the work it represents in foreign lands,
and that the conventions over which he
does not preside are not nearly so pro-
ductive as those where he il present Mr..
Simpson himself. when the question was
put direct, admitted modestly that in the
last fifteen years he had assisted in raising
something like s., 100000. Last year alone,
bursed more than S2l4,OO0. nearly three
quarters of the sum being distributed
among it's missions in India, China, Japan,
the Philippines. Africa. Palestine, South
America and the West Indies. These
represent about 300 American missiona res
and 100 native helpers.
Mr.. Simpson says that none of the mis-
sio naries receives more than $500 year.
or just living expenses, and tn ere are no
paid officers at this end of the line The
board OF managers OF the Alliance give
their services. So much for the question
Of what is done with the collections taken
In at the Tabernacle. On this topic Mr..
Simpson talks readily.
But when it comes to the other question
of how he induces people to turn their
pockets inside out for foreign missions, he
is not 40 satisfactory If he possesses hyp-
motto powers, he certainly manages 70 con
cea the fact when out Of the pulpit. He
speaks simply and without rhetorical -four
ishes. His manner Is sincere and kind,
without being In the slightest degree i'm
pressive. He never appears to be making
an effort. And yet there are few men
more energetic.
As an older generation will remember
something like quarter of century ago
Mr.. Simpson was pastor of the Thirteenth
along in respectable, Unconditional groove.
He wanted free seats and evangelistic ser
vices though, and the ma jority of his con-
gregation didn't. Then Mr.. Simpson babe
the Presbyterian fold farewell and began
holding evangeistic services in theatres
and gospel tents. That was twenty years
ago. Afterward the Tabernacle was
started.
When asked about church collections Mr.
Simpson was silent for a moment. Then
he replied
.The simplest explanation can give Of
the large collections we take up from time
to time is that the passion of giving has been
aroused in the heart Of nearly every MEM
Der of the congregational the poorest as
well as the richest, the youngest as well as
the Oldest
ABut how is it that you can arouse pas
sion that seems to be almost dormant In
other congregations, even though they are
under the care of faithful and efficient
pastors? Is it by appealing to the emo
tions?"
mo I appeal rather to the conscience.
The fiery logic of truth with an earnest
heart behind it is all that is needed. |
point out that to withhold proportion Of
ones income from the Lords work ia
breach of trust, / use plain language and
try to make my meaning perfectly clear
in the most matter Of fact way.
"On the occasion of the last big collection
in this church preached from the text, We
are verify guilty regarding our brother
had intended after appealing to the con-
science of my hearers to close with one or
two illustrations that might. as you would
saw, stimulate the emotions But my in
tenfion was frustrated. All Of a sudden my
voice gave out. because. suppose, had
been using it numerically the week before
at a convention. So I sat down without
finishing the sermon and with the remark:
I guess have talked long enough
almost at once woman sitting near,
without waiting for the plate to be passed,
stepped up and laid SIS on the platform.
And that was the beginning OF one Of the
largest collections We ever had in the church.
But the giving is very seldom spasmodic.
"Onlv this morning l was told that an
organization Of fifty young girls in the
church, all working girls, none OF whom,
suppose, earns more than so a week, has
pledged itself to give 81 600, or enough to
pay the salaries OF three missionaries.
That this will mean rigid self-denial 10 some
of them-the cutting out of ice cream and
ribbons--I am pretty sure. But ! haven't
n doubt those girls will keep their word.
They have acquired the passion for giving.
ITO my mind there is no other secret in
our big collections