Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-06-30
MINISTER EXPLAINS PLAN
TO SECURE s75,0Q0,O00
Doctor Skinner Declares Ambitious
Program Of Southern Baptists
VIII Not Fail.
SCORES sCoFEERs OF CHURCH
Just as False Prophets Predict Col
lapse of Christianity, Believers, He
Says, Take Steps Toward Most
Colossal Enterprise.

Predictions of false prophets that
the collapse of Christianity is immj-
nent are met with alert steps of
Christians themselves toward the most
colossal enterprises in the history Of
the church, Rev. r. Clagett Skinner,
ID. d.. pastor OF the Second Baptist
Church. said yesterday, in explaining
the Hve-year budget program of the
Southern Baptists.
This program. which embraces all
objects outside local expcnses-con-
tributions to education philanthropy
and missions--cont cmplatcs the rails
ing OF not less than SIS. 100000 in five
years Of which the proportionate sum
which Virginia will he called upon to
produce is SI,0o0,000
Arc Fearful of I'Inns.
Skinner said: Some good. but ner-
vous people. without adequate informa-
ton: who have not gotten into the
spirit OF the movement, arc fearful
lest this program should set aside or
null!fy all present financial systems.
quite the contrary is true. 1t contem-
plates the use OF all wcll-cstablishcd
and effective arrangements now in
vogue. II endeavors to justify and
strengthen the every member canvass
for every-week contribution. Let us
For decade or more the pro-
grcssive spirits of our denomination
and the statesmanlike secretaries of
cur departmental work have felt that
in view OF our increasing numbers
and influence. a forward movement, of
gigantic proportions should be naug-
assume our relative responsibility in
answerinS's Christ's prayer. Thy
kingdom come" This accumulative
crystalized when the southern Sap
list Convention in its recent session |
In Atlanta unanimously voted:
Will Raise s15.OO0.O00.
cd to raise not less than $4,000 |
with the secretaries of the seneral |
boards and secretaries Of the. State
among the diiGerent Objects e"ts f asieTai
by the convention, outside of local |
church expenses; CD to apportion
eighteen states; 90 and to create "a
commission of fifteen, afterwards
raised TO eiGhteen) to launch and con-
Guct the campaign. To this end said
the earliest possible date and 10 pro-
coed with all possible promptness and
to prosecute the, task.
Accordingly, June both the
executive committee and the commits
sion met in Atlanta and decided 10
make one great simultaneous canvass
decided later-possiby November 80 10
December :.
is l; not most significant that just
prophesyins the. collapse OF Christian
ity that Christian people themselves
are planning the most colossal enter
with awakened minds and alert step
into roomier universe? 1t has
usually been so in history, At the
have. been hopeless, the seers and !
prophets of God have moved 10
conquest.
Tells Church History.
Two centuries after the apostles.
when when the empire OF Rome perpe-
filled with Christians; when the build
!nss and the Scriptures of Christians
title of "dastroyers of the Christian
s 5.aps dr il locked as as II The
Tennyson puts ii. But within eight
years of that time the cross Was
blazoned on the banners Of the VIC
later Christianity was the accepted re-
ligion Of The Roman empire.
Centuries later in France Noltaire
Was wsging his relentless var against
monster" was his reiterated appeal. /
In England things had gotten to so
s cxa p''sn1 .nat Shfis min h WAS no.
now at length discovered to he fic:i- |
tous. In England the Christian faith !
was the principal subject of mirth !
and ridicule But within a few years |
John Wesley went into the little
meeting houses at .aldersgatc Street. !
where he had his heart strangely |
warmed. and from that place and hour
his mighty ministry made religion a |
greater reality in England than it |
had ever been before.
Let the matcrialsts and doubters |
preach Christianitys funeral Chris |
tians OF all names and everywhere |
M CT he, 1ync iv mil