The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1913-01-30
Church Support.
IL. P. Evans, in the Piscataquis Observer

I'll. P. Evans. in the Piscataquis Observer
The history of Foxcroft. as we had it last
October, showed that the first settlers took
steps very early to have preaching, and what
is true of Foxcroft is probably true of every
| town in Maine. And this was not because of
any sickly sentiment; it was because the cItl-
zens, not as individuals but as body, knew
that the influence of the church needed
in the development of the best type of civil
life and they were willing to support it.
The recognized Importance of the church in
the community to-day is shown by the fact
that it is made prominent in the advertising
sent out to draw business and inhabitants to
our towns and cities. town without at least
one church would hardly expect to draw peo-
pie to it for few parents, even if not church.
goers themselves, would care to take their
children ta town without church influences.
We take our own villages an Illustration.
We are Justly proud of our schools, of the
public library and of the various things that
go to make a good community, and realize
that because of them people come here to edu-
cate their children and to make homes for
themselves.
But how long would these advantages exist
without the influence of the churches? How
long before people would cease coming here to
live or cease sending their children here to be
educated? Not very long, you may be sure
All this being true, it would seem that the
churches would receive liberal support; that
all who can would be glad to help institu-
oh TO tho ue1fare
of the community, that merchants ahG pro-
fessional men, in fact everybody, would real
ize that the church is as necessary today as it
was a hundred years ago, or when their town
was first settled, and even more SO because of
modern conditions.
But any one who thinks the churches
ceive liberal support; who thinks people as a
whole show their appreciation of what the
church has done and is doing for their COM
munity by liberal and prompt contributions
for it should become connected with the bust
ness end of church.
In such position he would encounter per-
sons who wouldn't pledge anything because
they felt poor; others who wouldn't pledge
anything but would put what they felt able to
into the loose collections; others who would
wait until the end of the year and see how
things came out; others who cheerfuly pledge
all they can afford to.
1t would naturally be supposed that the lat
ter class would include all thu church mem
bers but, alas it does not; it is possible to find
great many church MEMBERS ard sometimes
church officials, who are not known to con-
tribute anything to church expenses or at
least not regularly
Just how tie people who will not make
definite pledge, or who Go not pay anything,
expect the church to pay its bills am not in
formed, and yet they do expect this, and if
the church should have to suspend its work
because of non-support they would be dis
pleased and very likely blame the church Of
Gals for incompetency.
When William H. Vanderbilt was at the
head of the Vanderbilt system he put fast
train on between New York and Chicago which
was not profitable and he proposed to discon-
tinue it.
When this became known newspaper re-
porter interviewed Mr.. Vanderbilt and urged
him to continue the train, saying, when Mr..
Vanderbilt explained that it was not profitable,
''you should keep it on because the people
want it, Mr.. Vanderbilt replied: 1.-THE people
be ID; if they want the train they must
patronize it and make it profitable
The railroad man is allowed greater freedom
of speech than the church official, but the
same fact holds true in the church as in the
rairoad--if the people want the church to
run they must contribute to its support.
There is lamentable feature of the situation
which have not touched-the business stand
ing of the church.
AS the most honorable institution In exist
ence it should be able to meet it's obligations
promptly, and yet because of the neglect and
Indifference of many people who are
identified with it by membership or other
wise, and who want it to exist because of
its influence for good in the community,
it is unable, as a rule, to do SO. The
minister is not paid promptly as he would
be if he worked in factory and generally
not enough; the choir and the janitor get
their pay when they can; the fuel deal
er and others who supply the miscellaneous
needs of the church, are paid so uncertainty
that the business is hardly desirable. and to
cap all, the women have to serve suppers and
do all kinds of stunts to piece out the church
income.
All this is not true of every church but is
true in SO many cases that it must stand as an
AXIOM But it should not be SO. Every per-
son who profits in any way by the presence of
the church in the community should find out
what his share of its support is and pay it as
he pays for what he eats and wears-ungrudg-
ingly. When this is done the church will
prosper, and do good as never before.
| NORTH MONTVILlE.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Thompson are rejoice