The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-03-29
=, Z, - rho l.7Tlm,e,s-Dispatch:

Editor OF The Times Dispatch:
sIr.-Your editorial In last Sundays pa
per on '"The Mission OF the Church, Is 10
SO brave and true. that It excites my ad-
miration. ] cannot refrain from express
Ing nv pleasure in seeing the publication
Of such an article in what IS called
Secular u newspa per.
IT is a sad thing to witness q church
resorting to fairs, festivals. concerts ana
thcRtricnls to raise money for the Lords
cause. j t dishonors Christ. and discredits
His religion. 1t represents the savior.
who made the world. and IS Lord over
I all" as the veriest beggar on enrth. ~
dries IN the fountain OF Christian benefl-
ccnce IT defeats the efforts to create
and foster the spirit of Christian libcr-
aIity. II makes the church appeal to the
world, the flesh and the devil. to aid
III sustaining cause whose very princ1-
pies are antngonistict to all three, and
designed to conquer the world, subdue
the flesh and destroy the works OF the
devil o. 1t is positively, absolutely dis
gushing
& i..If any man beiin Christ. he Is new
crcature:'' are not your own: We are
bought with price, Freely 20 have
RECEIVED freely give" 1T Is moro blessed
10 give than 10 receive, &. .
a sd far as making offerings for the
relief OF the poor saints Is concerned the
spec!fic law given to the churches OF
5t.niatin and Corinth. was this ~ Upon the
first day OF the week let every one Of
syout lay by hin, In store. ms God hath
lrospered him, that there be no gather
Sings when | cnme - The principle OF Civ
Ing IS love, not law: the Jew was re-
ouIred pay mot giVc)t one-tenth OF every
thing. Above that he made his free will
offerings. But the gospels Of Christ lifts
,.S. t.,R I'M aud IN
fM.riler plans. ana makes them move In n
sdfferenr splern. The principle that gov
srps them 4 Is the high and holy princI-
ple Of Christian love; 'If ye love ME, keep
my command s''"Ir5a man love mo.
he will kAen my. words. The greatest
Thing u the world IS love Love Is the
Fulfilling Df the law. Love Is the royal
law, lyl5 @ 81 WI
The reason Of the failure OF the church
IN the world and IN society is the fact
that she Is consderad- she considers her.
selr--an eternal NESTING, With q hill con-,
5tinually open r)r contributions 4 from
everything that pasaes by John Rob
iinson's circus must DO asked for a con
itrlbution for the SUPPORT Of tho church!
.rhe services Of "a minstrel show must
be enga ged to entertain the crowd with
negro songs and sayings that the cause
If Christ may be promoted! Question:
able exhibitions must be given to help
Jesus. 81 FIe Is such q pauper and beggnrl
The very notion carries In 1t a guaran-
tee of failure, No mendicant can In
herlt power In this country. But the pro-
,valent teaching Is, that the church and
''the pastor" arc things to be help
ed, coddled. carried"
B. FsHnynes truly says: "ChIefly, how
ever. the damage to the church from
these practices has como through the
lowering of the basis Of appeal made 20
men, to q plane Of mere eXpedlency poll
cy or some form or appetite. The eye
\ OF the glYers, Instead Of being turned to-
to enjoy, and whom We nre to worship
with our substance. Is turned selfward,
and looks only to the pride or pleasure
or palate Of self ms the object worthy
to receive the benefit or honor, or re-
suits of our gifts It fosters and deep
ems selflshness, our natural and most
fartful and constant enemy Thus, IN
stead of giving being a religious exercise