The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-02-05

"Gldd to see you, Gord0n.'
can; there are two sermons, an address
before the convention of Christian cit
izenship and n list OF church duties
that is never caught up with But J
question II any or all of it Is as impor-
tant as some Of the things want to
discuss with you
lie paused, and his grave face light
ed up with a CLEAN Of interest that
transformed his scholarly appearance
into something quite different Gordon
sat down again.
"What do you think OF the church
, Gordon? How much Is it worth aftel
, all?"
, The question surprised Gordon.
I'm not a Judge and don't want t,
De neglected my duties to the church
ard ! am the last man In the world &c
crtlcse It."
I Falmouth sat silent awhile.
"The church IN this city is not doing
its duty" he said at last. IL sometimes
question how much il is really obeying
Christs commands when | consider
the wealth and business ability ana
talent and culture In my own indiyld.
ual church alone. | cannot help asking
myself how much of II is really conse-
Grated TO the uses Of the Kingdom. | do
not know six men in my own conge-
CATION who accept the doctrine Of Gods
ownership Of property, so plainly
taught i'm the Bible and 10y Christ.
When | preach on the subject, my peo-
pie listen in half amused manner as
II were a theorst giving ont ideas
that viii not work In the practical busl.
ness world. There are not a dozen peo
/ pie in my whole parish who give one
| tenth Of their income 10 the religious
work of the world"
How large Is your churchf" Gordon
asked. lie was growing exceedingly
interested IN FAlmouth's monoogue.
Tor the minister had talked on rs II
alone
I'VE have 97G names on the churcn
roll There are seyenty-two abscntces
over 900 resident members There are
twenty-five men in the church worth
over SjOtsO, II their returns to the tax
assessor are true We raise for all
| church, missionary and benevolent pur-
| poses including my salary, which Is
S2,jOO, the sum OF $4,000 annually.
| We pay a quartet choir S2,OOO a year.
! We pay an Organist 500. The flower
committee paid Sl7OO last year for
lowers aud decorations in the church.
AZ least dozen women in the church
poni $500 apiece on flowers and deco.
rations I'm the church At least
tu.. women iu the church spent 500
apiece on flowers and decorations I'm
their homes for receptions and parties
aud gave less than $40 apiece to city
missions. This sounds like a sordd
ANA gossIpy string Of details, Gordon.
hut ! am reminded Of am extract from
pnc of Starr Kings essays.
over against every prominent al
.oWancc tor personal luxury the
CELESTIAL record book ought to show
,"mr entry iu favor of the cause OF
goodness AND suffering humanity. For
rNV -uInoa that goes into.a theater
or Wu,cm there ought to be some
iN'n guinea pledged for a truth or Gy.
.A- "1 some erraud OF mercy i'm CITY |
800 crowded with misery as this. Then
Ne have @ right 20 oar amusements.
''A.rw.,e We have no right 10 them. |
uHt are liable every moment 10 inn.
poarhmcnt in the court of righteous.
hess aad charity for our ueachery 10 /
heaven and Our race
Rather strong eh? But not to,
strong when YOU consider that the
'1Iih Is tho Lords. the gold. the silver
the i'me are an his And when iool,
over my list of church members and
Then read the society or business col.
umu>, which tell of their uses Of mon.
ey for luxury and amusement Is il anv
wonder that ask, Where is the Chris.
l'n dlScipleship that gives So out of
proportion 10 lbs own qualification com.
pared with los duty 10 great causes
end social needsT Iowelrs verse
haunts me.
'5ed bends from out the deep and saws,
gave thee of my seed 10 SOW.
hilnsest thou me my hundredfolas
ian | look up with face aelovg
Aha answer, Father here Is Foldy. 4"
am afraid the celestial record book
W WI nor show very heavy deposit ON
'ue part OF the luxury loving Chris
'''.,s 'l,, OF 'h's day and generation"
"'" you outsider that one OF tie
'''u', ,meuts against the church or 10.
-'' "ordou asked as Falmouth
..''.1 his head aud sorrowfuny gazed \
81 picture Of the crucihxion thai
'u9s Ser his desk.