The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1919-04-05
MINISTER HERE
OPPOSES CHURCH
FUND SUPPERS
Majority Of Local Pastors,
However, Favor SYSTEM

Conflicting senimen, is EXPRESSED
by ministers OF Oklahoma City, on the
subject OF appropriateness Of methods
used by Ladies Aid and similar
societies I'M raising funds for suppor,
OF churches. ~.
An Associated Press dispatch from
Port Huron. Mich, say, minister
N iha, city said that such societies
were the greatest bane TO the ei,
iiciency OF the church, not because
they were composed OF women bit be-
cause OF the unscriptural methods used
in collecting money
One Is Opposed.
or the eight local ministers asked
by the Times to give opinions on the
matter, one said he agreed, though IN
a more conservative way, with the
statement, Three were OF the opinion
that, while the methods were I'M
Scrip,ural there were other reasons
tina, ou,wciphed this difficulty, and
two said tha, tho whole discussion was
absurd and that they believed heartily
in the womcns work
Rev. Forney Hutchinson pastor OF
ST, Lukes, believes that methods Of
women for raising money are not what
they should be-
Il canno, sanction the raising OF
churth money through suppers, candy
sales and similar institutions he
Said last night. They not only arc
unscrptural but they have danger
OTIS educational effect as we'll in that
they tend TO make the men and the
voluntary donors depend wholly on
these methods for the financing of the
church. The work of our missionary
societies, on the whole, is undcnlably
Efficient and OF great value 10 our
church"
Rev Phil {, Baird OF the Firs,
Presbyterian church, ard Rev. | Frank
Roach OF the First Methods, church,
were the strongest supporters OF the
opposing view.
Statement "Extravsgant."
Baird said:
Women in my church raised 5000
,ast year and gave comparatively few
s>ppers. ! believe that any one who
makes a statement like this Por,
Huron gentleman must be classed as
an ciictc casterncr. He certainly has
never seen anything OF our up-,o-datc
alive western communities The ladies'
aid society is the greatest factor in
the church for promoting the social
atmosphere. The Port Huron state
ment is extravagant and unwarrantcd,"
Il believe such a society is a vital
organization for the Methodist Epico-
pal church." said Mr.. Roach. 1T
exists by authenticity given by the ono
great lawmakirg body OF the church
Its spiritual influence is beyond cal
eulatioA This belittling OF its in
| iluence is too silly to discuss. 1t was
made by some narrow-minded minister
Of a by-sone school, but am glad
he made it because it gives me \
chance to say wha, ! think abou, wom-
ems societies
"The ladies missionary society" said
II. r. Matlock, pastor OF the Avenue
c Methodist church, while some OF
It's methods are not strictly accord
ing to scripture, is undoubtedly very
beneficial and helpful to the church
and is an institution which without
doubt should be indorsed. 1t is wrong
to say it is a bane to the church"
Rev +. A. Thompson, of the May
wood Christian church, agreed, too
that the methods used were unScrip.
tural but said that the efficiency OF
the organization and the necessity OF
getting the money in some way offset
this criticism.
Result Justifies Method.
at would be better If We could stick
to the conservative scriptural method,
he said, but in this day apd age the
efficiency and popularity OF the
societies justifics, | believe, their
method" ,
Rev. II. F. Van Horn, Of the First
Christian church, styled the statement
as that OF a prfec,ionis,, but said meth,
ods used by the women were un,
doubtedly open TO criticism because o
their divergence from the mandates oI
the scripture.
IT would be better If our mone,
could he rtised in the other way" sale
| Mr. Van Horn. Il think that tn,
great advantage Of such societies j,
that they keep the women from doinl
things that it is less advantageous ior
them TO do. The women OF my ohurcl
worked like heroincs all winter sew
ing Surely that has been a bette,
occupation for them than bridge par
ties and frivolous entertainments. Tn,
society has also some advantage as ;
body ! believe in co-education. Mel
are inspired and encouraged by WON
en-. They work better with womer
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