The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-10-06
NEW YORK
BAPTISTS
STINGY
Their Ministers Say So and
That tho People Are Apath0tlc
Toward tho Church.

New York. oct. 6-Considerable stir has
been caused in Baptist circles by the ut
terances Sunday In the Church OF the
Epiphany OF the Rev. DIR. r. s. Boville.
secretary OF the Baptist city mission. TO
the effect that Baptists have lost interest
In matters OF their church, and show
marked apathy as TO It's material welfare.
In tho course of his remarks DR.. Bo-
Vile declared that Bsptists had become
80 small. so low and SO stingy that a
common. ordinary bequest OF $4,000 for a
little church would create sensation and
would stir Baptists from one end OF Man
haitian TO the other"
At the conference OF Baptist ministers
yesterday In the chapel OF the Madison
brought 10 the attention OF the secretary
OF the conference. but IT was decided
best not 10 give official recognition to the
remarks OF DR.. Boville.
The Rev Or. II. G. Weston, presldens
OF the Crozier Theological seminary OF
Chester. Pa, one OF the leading men or
the Baptist church in this country, who
had just addressed the conference, was
asked 10 express an opinion on the views
OF DR.. Boville. and did so.
You cannot say anything strong
enough In condemnation of the apathy OF
said he. Anything which has as Its
object the stirring up OF these delinquents
to the realization OF their duties toward
their church has my fullest sympathy.
IT concur with everything that Or.
Boville has said. This indifference which
Baptists OF New York showed for the
needs OF their respective churches and for
the city missions cannot be too strongly
condemned. The condition which exists
is blot upon the fair name OF our de-
nomination and a severe reflection upon
those who belong 10 it."
The Rev. Or. j. r. Elder. former pas
- - ,tx
equally outspoken In his condemnation
OF the listlessness and apathy which char
acterize the attitude OF Baptists toward
their church.
1T il demora;izing that those denomi-
nations which are strongest throughout
the United 6tates--the Methodists and
Baptists-are content here In New York
to stand still while other denominations,
like the Episcopalians. for instance. are
constantly enlarging their sphere and ac-
lively frthering their cause.
There Is much culpable neglect OF the
city missions, the central body from
which funds might be secured to help
just such a cause as DR.. Boville has es-
poused. The various Baptist churches
contribute to the city mission. but not as
as they should
The natural consequence IL that the
city mission finds itself unable to assist
the churches in need OF funds"
DIR. Elder was asked II such men as
John D.. Rockefeller. prominent in the
church work of the Baptist denomination.
could not disprove the theories advanced
as facts by DR.. Bovlle by contributions In
cash, and replied that he had heard
that Mr.. Rockefeller gave dollar for dol
lar, duplicating all donations to the city
mission fund. Meanwhile the members
OF the Baptist church OF the Bronx wor-
ship In an old grocery shop for want OF
$4,000. with which to buy a plot of ground.
At the meeting OF the delegates last
night preliminary to the Rhode Island
Baptist convention, in the Central Bap-
.ist church, the following officers were
elected: President, Rev. Thomas e.
Bartlett: vice president. Rev. III. w.
Watjen; secretary, Rev. 3. T. Living
ston; treasurer Ollys A. Jilbson: board
Of directors, President w. II. p. Faunce,
n. D., Brown university; Rev. Henry
NJ. King. d. D.; Prof w. c. Poland.
Brown university; Rev. Edward Holyoke.
Rev. l.. L. Henson. d. D.; Rev Frank
Rector. y. D.; auditors. c. r. Wilcox,
William Armour; Women's Auxiliary
committee, Miss Sarah C. Durfee, chair
man; Mrs. c. r. Wilcox. secretary; Mrs.
w. Fl. p Faunce. Mrs j. V. Osterhout,
Mrs Charles II. Swan, Mrs. William II.
Bowen, Mrs r. l.. Smith. Mrs. IL. III.
Pepper, Mrs It. e. Bartlett.
The report OF the treasurer was sub
rnfttsd by O. A. Jillson and showed
balance of s42s In the treasury, which 10
A smaller by nearly $500 than the balance
varied over from last year
This difference IL accounted for by the
Increased amount OF work accomplished i
the past year. and the extra large
amount OF money expended in aiding
Students. The report showed: Balance
IN hand from last year ,sl2.s2; collected
rom churches, $554.47; by liquidation of
,ank. returned on investment. STA; real
zed or investments. s42s.el total re-
,eipts. s2.s70.7o: paid out In aiding stu
ients. sl124; total expenditures, N,Nl.Os;
balance on hand, s42s.