The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1911-02-02
Sermon by
CHARLES T.
RUSSELL
Pastor Brooklyn
7 abernacle.

Portland, Me-, "s-The Inter-
national Bible Students Convention is
In session here with an excellent at
tendance and deep interest manifested.
Pastor Russell Of Brooklyn Tabernacle
delivered two addresses today. one be-
ing in Jefferson Theatre. We report
one Of them from the text foregoing
Three weeks ago today Christendom
was startled by communication
which announced that the Christian
Alliance had lifted collection Of $780,
GOO in few minutes-$3OO in cash. the
balance in promises. Then followed
the startling announcement of Brother
Simpson, its President, that the col
lection lifted would probably be the
last at Old Orchard, because the Camp
Grounds Directors had rented its Au-
ditorium for three days for the use of
our Association. He declared that he
disagrees with our theology. This. of
course, was yelled threat that the
Directors of the camp ground must
break their Contract with the Bible
Students. This they promptly did, and
we accepted back the money paid in
advance, rather than go to Law. 1t is
for this reason. dear friends. that we
are having our Convention "outside
the camp" We are glad that its fence
does not separate us from our great
Redeemer and Teacher. the joy of
whose blessing see in your faces.
Secular editors We're astonished!
They had been congratulating Chris
tan people that the days of the rack.
the thumb screw and the stake We're
past and that from every quarter We're
coming appeals for Christian Union
which. it was hoped. might even ulti-
mately include all denominations of
Catholics and Professionals. Yet here
they had to listen to the contrary-a
suggestion that Christian people in al
lance We're so opposed to Bible Stu
dents that even year would not be
sufficient to purify the air of Old Or
chard and to permit them to meet here
next year to take up another collection.
1t seemed funny, too, to these editors,
that anything could drive Christian
Alliance meeting away from 100000
collection!
Explanations Surely In Order.
Since Brother Simpson may not care
to tell the whole truth about the mat
ter and since the Christian public is
interested and ought to know the facts,
must tell them. The unpleasant duty,
however. will not necessitate my say
ing an unkind word concerning Mr.
Simpson and the Christian friends who
are in alliance with him.
There are two reasons why Brother
Simpson thought it doubtful if he
could come next year following our
three days of this year.
a. He knew instinctively that his
collections would be smaller, hardly
worth coming for, If the people should
begin to get the eyes of their under
standing more widely opened respect
ing what really constitutes the Gospel
of Christ.
e. The 100000 raised" was not cash
and large proportion of it never will
be. Some of it is promised over and
over again and telegraphed over and
over, as was the case with the young
woman who in the spectacular manner
offered her jewels from time to time
and had It mentioned in the papers.
Such repetitions of charitable work are
considered entirely proper by many in
connection with religious work in vari-
GUS denominations. for the good of
the cause" Subscriptions are given
publicly without hope Of payment. to
influence others who are more sincere
some of whom in the excitement give
more than they can afford.
Chicago Stockyard Method.
This same method is illustrated in
the Chicago Stock Yards. A fine. large.
trained bull gallops out to meet the
cattle designed for slaughter. He
waltzes before them and becomes their
leader. Following him in a grand rush
for narrow passage they crowd one
another to the eXecutioner. who knocks
them senseless. A special place just
large enough for himself is provided
for the decoy bull. who. later. goes out
to lead on another herd for the slaugh-
Ter.
We do not mean to say that those
who give their money are slaughtered
or otherwise injured. We believe that
they are blessed-that everyone is
blessed who sacrifices anything hearth
ly unto the Lord. or to what they sup
pose to be his service. whether it is
or not 1t is the method Of getting the
money from the people and the decep-
ton practised which we deplore. How
ever, the Alliance has plenty Of COM
pany in this method in larger Chris
tian denominations. 1t is part of the
business method of recent years.
Some who did not understand this
business" method wondered where all
the money apparently contributed to
the "Christian Alliance" work was
spent. An investigation Of its financial
accounts was made. which revealed
the fact that they were chaotic. and
other business methods were add
vised.
s-IA