Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-02-20
7rlHIIE SUNDAY SCHIWOlL LESSON
RV BEN NEWS QME

own reconciliation with divinity. but
from The exercise of the power given
MS 10 draw other men to the Savior.
So II has pleased God to use the halt
ing and imperfect efforts of man to
bring about the conversion of the hu-
man race and the ultimate glory OF
the heavenly kingdom.
Tie Disturbing Element.
II is noticeable that the first dis
turbance in the new church was not
over questions of doctrine or practice
not over any mans Interpretation of
the gospel, but over "A purely material
and prosaic question. In the COM
,munistic form of the church where
the common fund was drawn upon
for individual needs. the complaint
arose that certain worthy persons, de-
pendants upon the care of the church.
were not getting all that was coming
10 them. The same question, in its
varying forms. has been fruitful
cause of dissension in later years and
down to the present. II is taken for
granted that this complaint was just
flied. in the absence of any evidence
To the contrary. We have no right
TO impugn the honesty OF the prot
os,ants. Yet the fact still holds good
that IL is not over spiritual privileges
or pious dJties that churches usually
split, but over some question of dol
lars and cents or of overweening per-
sonal ambition. The business end Of
the church's existence is a very i'm
portant and necessary part yet II Is
ono that at all times needs TO he dis
creetly handled. both for the solvency
, Of the organization and for fraternal-
ism OF its membership. Nothing
abont the management of "A church
body is so dangerously loaded with
he elements of discord as the hand
ling of its finances. Nothing kills the
spirituality OF q church so quick as
, The domination OF its financial prob
lens over the less material sentiments.
Applying the Remedy.
We mus: give the governing body
Of this church credit for commend
| able wisdom and discretion in this
emergency. Instead OF indulgng in
| elimination and recriinination. pro-
voking hard feelings and widening
the breach, rs is too much the fash
| ion when church administration is
! criticised. .nese men counseled to-
gether with the membership and Of
fered "A proposition that at once re-
| moved the cause for complaint and
made friends of the aggTieved parties.
! II was evident that the church had
grown 10 point where the twelve
| were unable To see after all the de-
tails of its administration, so, instead
! Of denying the complaint and justify
ing themselves. they proposed that an
, additional body OF seven commits
sioners be appointed to look strictly
after the finances and benevolences
of the church. while the original
disciples devoted themselves the more
| unreservedly to spiritual things. The
proposition was approved and the
first deacOns OF the church were
| chosen and ordained for the work.
While these first appointees came
into office because Of the necessity
of closer attention to the dependents
of the church. we of a later day have
largely forgotten that part of the com
| mission and look more To our deacons
as the business managers of the con
| .regation. The widows and orphans
and the needy brethren are too often
| overlooked unless special attention is
attracted to them, for the deacons
! are too busy collecting subscriptions
TO the minister's salary and trying to