The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1919-11-08
by Rev. J. D. Major in Florida Chris
tian Advocate)

tian Advocate)
Some years ago my presiding elder
groaned in spirit and said; "The
world has gone mad after the almigh.
! ty dollar" | said, Eyes, but cannot
see that the case of the church Is any
better than that of the world in this
respect" | see no reason to reverse
that opinion now. If finances ever
dominated any institution on earth 1t
dominates the church 1t is our mas
ter and we are are it's slaves. The
blind Sampson turning the mills of
the Philistines is a sad picture Of the
way organized Christianity is Juggling
at the financial problem. l feel that
would be safe in saying that Of all
conferences l have attended in the
last twenty-five years seventy-ive per
cent Of the time and interest has been
devoted to finances. Excepting the
devotional exercises, doxology and
benediction, the average conference
may be very properly termed finan-
cial discussion.
"The time of our bishops, connec-
tional men and presiding elders is
largely taken up with financial mat
ters The centenary is adding large
ly to this financial army. The same
may be said of our leading preachers.
Most Of them are leading preachers
because they are successful at rails
ing money. Most of them are chair
men Of boards and committees for
raising money. Everybody. knows
that the average pastor is coming
more and more to be financial agent.
Is it any wonder that we are no long
er revivalists and envangelists? We
not only haven't the time but our
thought and interest in diverted in an
other direction. We are now trying
to harness our prayers to schemes of
collecting money and to make our
evangelistic campaigns minister to
the same. If the thing goes much
further and soul is born into the
kingdom, which is a doubtful contin-
gency, 1t will most likely have dollar
marks all over it. If we are to have
a church-wide revival under such can
ditions | agree with DR.. Elmer T.
Clark Of the Centenary Bulletin, that
1t will be with few tears, no shouting
and very little praying thought The
shouters of this revival will in all
probability, be after the fashion of
those pictured in some of the centen.
airy campaign literature: they will
wear derby hats and smoke large
cigars. Be it said to the honor Of
some of our Methodist women that
the handbills alluded to found swift
passage to the cook-stove fire. I
nave one hid away that am keeping
as a curio of the drive.
Some years ago one of our mis-.
slonary secretaries, DR.. and now
Bishop Lambuth, | think declared
the more he studied the missionary
question the more he saw in it hinge
financial problem. Evidently tbe con.
'lction OF the secretary has become
the conviction of the board. Money
IS the great caterpillar tractor that is
10 pull the gospel chariot triumpbant.
~ through the world. Somebody
says No, Brother Major, we are
trusting in microscopy PRAYER and IN
Tue revived interest of the church
caused by the centenary I hone vou
believe what you say, and wish that
| could believe that is the truth but
'he trouble with me is that I know y
ISM l. In spite of all the noise and
'alk' doubt seriously that there 10
very much missionary interest at this
'lme in the church. 1t does NOT
seem That we are greatly concerned
ior the heather either at home or
abroad | believe about. the least
popular work minister can now on
sage IN is home mission work :,
'hihk most home missionaries will
agree with me that, as a rule onr
missionary enthusiasts, both male ona
iemaie' give us very wide berth Nm
'he program and on the platform tbov
are all that could be wished but tho,r
enthusiasm has very peculiar wov
Oh evaporating when they get noan