Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1904-11-17
BUSINESS-LIKE RELIGION

The international Sunday School Les.
son for Nov. 10 10, "Joash Repairs
the Temple" 2 Kings, t2s4.1b.
This is a lesson In business-like re-
ligion, and its reach Is wide and prac-
teal. II concerns the latest ulting
church treasurer, the stingy saint. and
the church that is lax in it's methods.
as truly as 1t concerns the rehabilita-
ton of SOlomon's temple by his de-
scendent. King Joash.
The boy king. whose accession to the
throne OF his fathers was the theme Of
last weeks lesson, continued under the
tutelage OF his uncle, the high priest
Jehoida; and consequently the larger
part OF his reign. until Jehoida's death.
was exemplary. The idolatrous prac-
tees established by Athaliah were over-
turned. New influences permeated the
national life. Like ruler. like people;
q nation takes the trend of It's life
largely from those mt its head. What
Dade fair to be a terrible war between
the two greatest powers OF Europe was
averted a few days ago by the sane
and peace-loving spirit Of members Of
the two royal families. The young
king Of Judah was true to the blood Of
King David in his veins. in his deyo-
Tor to he house Of h Lord. He put
Its interests first.
THE HALL MARK OF CULTURE.
Queen Atkaliah was dead. but the
evil results CT her wicked reign aid not
die with her. 1.-THE evil men do lives
after Them" says the great poet. The
lowered national tore which she had
created persisted. just as many a school
u felt the baneful influence OF a few
bad scholars long after their departure.
One relic OF the murdered queen was
the condition OF the temple; she had
defaced 1t and neglected it's care, so
that Joash inherited n temple from
which much OF the ancient glory had
departed.
Now the test Of any community's cul-
ture and moral lone is the condition
OF it's churches. This is a sign which
ne who runs may read. Poor. cheap
church buildings, In Il state of dlsrepair,
Indicate a neighborhood in which 1t
would not be wise to invest ones
money. There Is not much religion, or
even deep-seated goodness in u neigh
borhood where the church is neglected.
a wise citizenship stands by the
church. Joash was performing a deed
or patriotism. as we'll as of religion,
In repairing the temple.
THE MONEY SIDE. B
The miser who said he enjoyed re-
ligton becLuse It IL free did not have
much religion to enjoy. There is a
financial side to religion, just as there
was at the time of this practical revival
In Judah. It was necessary, II the
temple should be restored and the glory
fof vindicated, that the peoplc
should give money for the repair OF the
Injuries which enmity and neglect had
wrought. This was q time OF revival.
ana a sure test Of the g%enuineness Of
the awakening was the extent to which
the people were willing to give of their
means for the Lords work. No re-
llgion - heart deep which IL not also
purse deep.
So the king instructed the priests to
raise" the none needed In three
gifts to the temple funds: then a spec
tal tax upon those bound by any sort
OF VOW. and thirdly. the free will Offer
ings Of h people. This last was The
most hopeful source of e had
there been the will to give. or had the
prieste set about their task properly.
Az q matter Of fact, the priests were
sent out pretty much after the fashion
OF members OF ladies' aid societies cam
vaestng a neighb0rhood TO sell tickets
ana secure donations" for a church
fair. The priests were to dun every
man Of their acquaintance. ana. In the
name OF friendship. wound the cause Of
friendship by begging appeals, quite
after the borrowed modern method.
The whole land was covered by these
begging priests. and they doubtless dis
played more diligence In getting money
than In mfnistering before the altar.
OF course the temple went unre-
paired. Hard times are perennial with
the church that resorts to such expedi-
ents. The most strenuous efforts In
the collecting line seem only to close up
legitimate sources OF revenue the more
quickly. Il don't wan to dampen your
enthuelasm BY proposing a collection
I heard Z bishop remark Inst summer in
The midst Of an ~exhuberent camp meet
ing session. The words were sug-
eesttve. Where collection are looked
upon IN that spirit. they are bound to
oampen fervor.
The sort OF money -raisinH campaign
which Joaah instituted was not credit
able nor scriptural. The man who buys
ma 81 x ranSSh ec IS tns snn1 ses prsy.
NO credit for benevolence Ia heavens
ledger. In the same class with him 10
the person Who Gives merely an q so
cl0l obllgAuon; or the millionaire who
buys 70 much reputation and ecclesi.
Aotical poaltl0n and influence per thou.
eand dollars bestowed upon the church.
ocoeolN0 THE pRteoTo.
TAe plan waaa bad one. badly sexe-
have had oocd 1ntsnsionSy wSiie ,iacsinx
enterpsaeo ana th0rouGhnese: or they
may'hAve been more eer1Qhely derellct.
Ina 1CDne aGoaAoSfoe chaljtakto enter.
ne51oob t1eY conef0osed their own share
q eIoss cle1m npo0Eany money raised.
EGsteslnly enefe. Wae nothang 1eft With
'hlm1olGa Mini. H had crown Is uian-
bod ana - beean e aesett h!e kinfdl-.
- M yonoot Wno ~ In Je6oldGso'