New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-21
FINANCING SALVATION
An Admirer of Billy" Sunday Points to
the Economy Of His Method.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Can IL be that the value OF an inn
mortal soul has deprecated? Was Christ
wrong In his appraisement Of the worth OF
that divine spark when lie said 1t out
weighed the wealth Of the entire world
Some Methodist ministers evidently believe
this is so. Their protest against the coming
Of BILLY" Sunday to New York seems to
be based upon the fear that the expert
ment will be too costly.
In your report of the proceedings this
morning you quote one Of the reverend
gentlemen as saying that the churches OF
Pittsburgh We're obliged TO raise $4,000
In order 10 defray the expense of Sun
days meetings. But, according to ac-
curate hgures-not the figures given at
the meeting referred to-more than $500
converts were obtained. This means that
the churches Of Pittsburgh paid less than
8 80 per capita for the additions thus OBJ
talned TO their numbers.
John Wesley, the founder OF the Meth
odist Church, taught the doctrine that
no man could get to Heaven except
through the regenerating power of the
to-day accepts this doctrine as a funda-
mental truth. This being so. the specta-
Gle of 5000 men. women and children
awaiting themselves Of the means OF sal
walton should be as inspiring as it Is
unusual. Instead of Directing 10 the cost
they should rejoice at the product, FOR
surely il would be hard TO find an In
vestment for 5000 which could produce
any better dividends than are represented
in the salvation Of %, 900 immortal souls.
Can II be that these gentlemen are afraid
that an additional tax on the churches Of
New York would involve some financial
sacrifice by themselves? II this be So
let me reassure them 1t has been my
pleasure to cover" Sunday for a number
OF newspapers, and in this way ] have
gained an experience and acquired knowl-
edge which enabled me TO speak with
some degree of assurance. His visits
have Invariably resulted in greater activ-
ity on the part OF tho churches. In in
creased salaries for the pastors and IN
extended building operations.
After a visit to a city the church
finances have always improved. He has
not depleted any treasures. On the
contrary. he has filled them. Poor. weak.
struggling. lethargic institutions have been
galvanized into life and have become
amazingly energetic.
At Springfield Ohio. the people had
for ten years attempted to raise
funds for a Young Women's Christian
Association building. In every effort they
were repulsed. and It seemed that moth
Ing but disappointment would come OF
the project. BILLY" Sunday visited the
city In the fall OF 1911. After he had
completed his campaign tho promoters OF
the Young Womcn's Christian Association
project put on their campaign. II Went
with whoop and a hurrah. and to-day
Springfield has one OF the best equipped
buildings for that purpose In the United
States.
| am afraid that there is some founda-
ton In fact for the assertion OF the evan
gellst that the Church is becoming mil
dewed. ossted. petriied" institution. And
these Methodist clergymeD by their TN
just criticism are not likely 10 lessen the
weight Of the charge
A. d. FArRBAIRN.
Tho Bronx March H. 1914