The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-10-11
Synod Sessions Are
interesting Many of
The States Preachers
sEVERAL IMPORTANT REPORTS READ TILE
MORN1NG-THE TEMPERANCE COMMIT
E WOULD KNOW HOW PARTIES STAND
ON HI QUESTION.

year is an occasion for gratitude as
We'll as encouragement. 1t is not,
however. what has been accomplished
ny the church in general, but the work
of u synod which We wish to
phasize in this report. We will not
indulge in n flight of rhetoric or
set free any unusual wave Of elo-
auence" but simply call your atten-
ton to the tabulated statement of the
gifts of the Presbyterys of the synod.
The amount contributed for mis-
sions II benevolences during the
year was $15.058. This amount was
contributed by the Presbyterys as
follows:
Fargo. s5.ss7; Pembina. s4.o7s;
newaukon. $1,372; Mouse River, $662;
Minot, 1901.
A comparison of the offerings for
1912 with those of 1911, shows that
the Presbyterys of Bismarck, Minne-
waukon, Minot and Pembina have
increased their contributions, while
Mouse River. Fargo and Oakes have
tributed among the various agencies
of the churches or boards, as fol-
lows:
Colleges. 1901; home missions,
$2,491; foreign missions, $1.633; sab
bath schools. $1,249; church erection,
1854; ministerial relief, 1915; educa-
ton, s263; freedman, 1854; temper
If every church in the synod had
contributed to every board of the
church. there would have been 1920
contributions, but an examination of
the reports received indicates that
only 65S offerings were made. While
this shows a slight Improvement on
last years figures, yet it is a aus
1 fnr rn0r0f thnt fhn~n 1a,o,.o OEC hIo ~ Il
spaces in the tabulated statistics
where offerings should have been re-
ported. Twenty-four per cent of the
congregations contributed to every
agency of the church, a few made no
offering whatever. while In a large
number of cases the offering was SIM
ply nominal (The usual offering will
now be received.)
1t Is evident to your committee that
we should be more faithful in the sup
port of the great missionary enter
prises of II communion.
Finances Well Cared For.
The need of systematically caring
for the finances of the local congrega-
lions, is clearly recognized. The $50
ceptions. are in good financial condi-
ton. this. Notwithstanding the un.
favorable crop conditions which have
prevailed for two years. The forty
five churches of Pcmbina P~resbytery,
with the exception of three or four,
are entirely free from any encum-
brances. This may be regarded as
ton. During the past five years
there has been marked progress, sal
aries have been increased, buildings
enlarged. new obligations assumed,
but there is not corresponding pro-
gress in the synod i'll regard to the
more extensive progress in the synod
in regard to the more extensive
schemes of the church-the benevol-
cnt and missionary. enterprises. "Shall
we dwell in houses of cedar and the
Lord in tents:".
Up-to-Dat. Method.
The single or double budget sys-
J tenn would solve this one-si1ea de-
velopment. The single or double bud
get system is h most effective plan,
1t is so simple n wonders how it car
be spoken of rs Il plan. Calling the
officials of the church together at the
beginning of the ear. estimating the
expenses of the local church, as well
as the amount that ought to be con-
tributed to missions. dividing this
among the number by ffty.two. to
get the amount necessary for each
week; for the sake of illustration. If
a church needs $500 for the year,
the problem will be to arrange for
500 every week; this gives them an
intelligent grasp of the problem to
be solved, and the assurance that
when this is provided for no appeals
scriptions taken individually. Wher-
ever 1t has been tried. good results
have been very largely realized. Your
committee would call attention to the
literature that is provided to explain
how this system can be most effective
~ put into operation, as we'll as to
the literature that emphasizes the
stewardship of the members of the
church:
First--We recommend that the lit
erature provided by the board be
distributed to every member of every
church.
Second-That the executive com
mission be instructed to introduce the
single or double budget system as
soon as practicable.
Standing Committee.
The report of the standing commit
tee on college board was presented
at this mornings session of the Pres
byterian synod by the chairman, Rev.
w. H. Matthews. The report in part
follows:
Your committee notes with salts
faction the emphasis laid upon bible
study in its last report to the general
assembly. and again we remind the
members of our synod that u de-
nominational colleges are doing faith
full work along this line. To secure
cooperation of the college board each
institutin is required to give systema-
tic instruction in the scriptures and
give an examination on this work be-
fore graduating any student.
THE college board lays special
stress upon the study of the bible it.
self. believing that the first thing we
need in bible study today is more
study of the bible
THE growth Of the church is alb
solutely dependent upon the number
of young men preachers who are
trained for the ministry. We must
have men for the home and foreign
field. Why do we not have them? Be-
cause of the training Of our denom-