The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-03-19
HARD TASK ON HAND
MISSIONARY MOVEMENT ENcouN.
TIERS IT'S DIFFICULTIES.
Apportionment Plan Of Raising Large
Sum of Money for the Cause Is
Discussed at Meeting Held at the
Congregational Church Today; Ser.
vices and Addresses to Be Deliv.
cred This Evening.

| This morning at 1890 the first -ses.
sion of the joint missionary campaign
of Congregational churches was held at
the Congregational church in this city.
The meeting was opened by song
and prayer service, and Scripture les
son by Rev. 7. o. Douglass of the in.
terror district i'll Chicago, who made an
! address and also presided during the
session.
Great Task on Hand.
Dr. Douglass felt that there was a
very great task on hand for the Con.
gregationalists to accomplish, one that
demanded careful consideration, but
that no one should be discouraged, the
meeting was one of inspiration and not
depression, even though some of the
statistics regarding the missionary work
did not show the churches to be doing
all they ought to do. There has been
progress, DR.. DOUGLASS said. but not
enough. There has been an increase in
home expenses showing an increase in
wealth, but this wealth had not been
placed where it should be- There was
larger rate of increase for other oh.
Jects than benevolent, and this DIR.
Douglass felt should be corrected, for
benevolent societies are one of the first
duties. There is needed a sum of So.
100000 year to be raised by the Con.
gregatIonal churches for the missionary
societies to do their necessary work.
Inns means 1922 per capita which is
not too large demand. DIR. Douglass
added, that he felt it a shame and a
pity that every one could not give &C
least that amount Il year. Mr. Bunker
was next introduced and was asked to
talk on What Is the Cure for 1t ALL"
He gave an instructive and interesting
sketch OF the purpose and plan of the
campaign, and i'll what the churches had
tailed to do and what they ought to do
III the future. For lack of funds S2o,-
900 worth of schools has had to be given
up The Congregationalists have been
doing large amount of good in or
ganizing Y. NJ. C. A. work, hospitals
and churches, but have neglected the
part that was their own especial obi
CATION.
The Apportionment Plan,--~--s.-s.-
The apportionment plan will mean
Systematic giving which is in reality
putting all contributions on business
basis. As matters are now, a stormy
Sunday, coming on the regular day for
missionary collections, means a de-
crease In funds at headquarters, that
make it impossible for the secretaries
and treasurers to meet running ex-
penses that have already been contract
ed for the year. As result of small
collections the pastors are aggravated
and annoyed by missionary delegates
sent from headquarters who ask to
be allowed to preach begging sermei aff5-
and together, with appeals from Y. NJ.
e. A., anti-saloon leagues, the PASTORS
are flooded with appeals, that would
not occur if giving were done system.
atlcally and on business basis.
The advisory committee who drew
up the apportionment plan feels that in
SO doing, they have suggested a way
to abolish haphazard giving The
for Minnesota to raise is $780,
600; this the state divides into local
districts and the local district into in.
dlyldual church obligations. If all the
would meet their obligations,
the missionary societies would be on
business basis and the business ele-
ment is the only plan to change the
present unsatisfactory manner of Civ.
ing. So far the apportiohment plan
has met with favor and has been called
common sense. 1t can be
best explained by the following finan-
clal creed of the campaign: 49,.
The financial creed of the camuaipn
has four articles, which are commend
ed to the churches for adoption. We be-,
ieve,
First. That every church should have,
missionary budget; that is, at the be-
ginning of the year it should determine
is missionary responsibility in dollars
20 each of the Congregational societies,
adopting, so far as possible, the ap-
plan, and then it should
make determined and businesslike eff.
ort to raise this budget for these ac.
'epted lines of work.
Second. That every church should
AVE missionary committee; this
should prepare the budget
md should promote and oversee its
aising.
Third That the missionary commit.
zee. should aim to secure, so far az DOS.
IDLE, gift from every individual in
he congregation, making personal
anvass, If necessary.
Fourth. That the weekly envelops
ystem is the best way in the aver
ge church to collect the pledges that
ave been made.
Remarks By President Cooper
President Cooper was next called up-
N as chairman of the state conference
ommittee to tell with what success,
he work had met here. Mr.. Cooper
tated for the committees that letters
ad been sent before January first;
hat the committee had decided, consid-.
ring the conditions existing in some of.
he churches that the full oprorf;ov,