The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-06
WARM DEFENSE
OF MIR. K.ERNS
Writer Criticised the Manage.
ment of the Rosebud
Society.

Somewhat OF sensation has been
created in Methodist Church circles
nv the publication in denominations!
weekly of a rather harsh criticism or the
management of the Rosebud missionary
Society of Virginia. of which Mr. Frank
L. Kerns, OF this CITY, Is the secretary
and treasurer Hot reply to the charges
has been made from Richmond, and there
appears to be likelihood OF some 1urther
Interesting developments
The paper in which the article appeared
Is The Methodist Of Danville, and the
writer is M" supposed to be a prominent
laymau While he commended the work
of the Rosebud Society, which he de-
clared to be one of the grandest organiza-
lions In the entire Methodist connection,
M" asserted impressively that the
children have to pay over twenty-five per
cent. of the gross amount they raise for
missions and expenses in the office OF the
general secretary and treasurer IN Rich
mond, Va. Think Of it, he declares.
"Out OF every dollar raised from the
pennies. njckels and dimes contributed
by the children of the Rosebud Society
for the cause Of foreign missions. twenty
five cents Of every one hundred thus con-
tributed never get out OF the bounds O..
our conference We mean no reflection
upon the Board of Managers of the noble
organization: hut In the interest of the
children. as well as the great cause they
are working for, we stand In our place to
say that the cost of getting this sacred
fund where it is designed to go Is entirely
too expensive and should be nshtened
very much"
The many friends OF Mr.. Kerns here
we're highly indignant at the article. and
at once proceeded to take the matter
up. Mr. T. Moody Campbell. of this city.
son Of the president OF the society, pre-
pared a hot reply, which he submitted
20 the Danyslle Methodist for publication.
Mr.. Campbell declares that the paper de-
Sclined TO print 1t. He then sent It to tho
Christian Advocate of this city, in which
Il appears this week.
In his article Mr.. Campbell shows
among other things that the total ex-
penses OF the society are not twenty
FIVE per cent. as stated. but between
eight and nine per cent. He critcises
M" for his haste to rush into print. de-
claring that II man Is seeking by his
criticisms to aid q cause, and has any
suggestion of value, 1t would do hundred
times greater good for him to speak
quietly 10 those in authority than to
blaZen indefinite accusations of misman-
agement without Offering a scintila OF
remedy. The article continues:
'In regard to the incumbent OF the
office Of secretary and treasurer. Mr..
Frank lSerns no one has been more sac
rificing and truly heroic than this man.
] will say this, in spite OF protests from
him. For several years before he accepted
the office he did most OF the work, re-
ceiving $50 year and paying an assistant
II week. After that for a number ot
years he received $500 year for his work
and invested in the cause from his great
love of 1t $500 a year. Loss? OH yes, as
,ome count loss, This is only n small part
Of the sacrifices he has made-but re-
i, iran out of Difference to his rare anl
shrinking modesty. M is credited will
sincerity in saying that he enters no com
plant against Mr.. kerns, but since com
plant has been entered we Rosebud
must see that 1t does not fall even b.
Implication on the heart of our beove
secretary and treasurer"