Year: 1869

81 LOUIS, Mo'


The following paper, copies of which hac
been in the hands of the members of the
church and congregation for several days
was read to the meeting by the pastor:


And on the question, will this congrega.
tional meeting approve and adopt the plan
submitted, it was determined in the afirma-
tive, with but one dissenting vote:


To the Members and Congregation Of the


Walnut Street Presbyterian Church:


At meetingo your Ruling Elders, Dea-
cons and Trustees, held Monday evening,
December %, 1868, it was unanimously re.
solved to recommend for your adoption a
new method of raising money to defray the
current expenses of the church.


Up to this time, certain per centage has
been placed upon the valuation of the pews
that are sold, and certain amount assessed
upon the pews that are rented; and the sum
thus fixed by the trustees on each pew has
been collected semi annually by their agent.


We now propose to obtain the means me-
cessary to meet our ordinary contingent ex-
penses, as we'll as to carry on our benevo-
lent operations both within and without the
bounds of our congregation, entirely By yOaer
voluntary contributions.


During the past year, collection has been
taken every Sabbath morning for the various
charitable and religious objects which we are
called to sustain, and the sum total inclu-
ding the weekly contributions of the ladies
and the contributions of the children in the
Sabbath School, amounts to $S,751 SO.


The plan has worked so easily and suc-
ceeded so admirably, it will be continued du-
ring the present year; and we ask you to
add to the amount you give each Sabbath
for benevolent purposes, the amount you are
able and willing to give for keeping up the
services of our own sanctuary.


You have been accustomed to give some
thing for these general purposes every Sab
bath, while the pastors salary, the wages of
the sexton, ard the expenses incurred in
light, fuel and repairs upon the building
have been met by the pew rents paid every
six months. We request you to support all
of these objects alike hereafter by your
weekly contributions.


For example: if you can give one dollar
for each Sabbath for general benevolent pur.
poses, and fifty dollars each year in pew
rent, bring two dollars with you to church,
instead of one, and then there will be no
further call upon you, If you are not able
to give more than ten cents a Sabbath for
benevolent purposes, and not more than five
dollars year for pew rent, bring twenty
cents with you instead Of t-1Nnts, snnd-y0
will carry out the suggestion here made.


If you prefer to give the entire amount,
which you are willing to pay for pew or
sitting, at the beginning of the year, or
semi-annually, or quarterly, or on the first
Sabbath of each month, of course you are at
liberty to do SO, since our only aim is to es-
tablish amongst US the habit of contributing
to all religious and charitable objects, first
as matter of system, second as matter of
principle, and third as matter of purely
voluntary Offering.


In our judgment, however, it will be bet
ter as rule, to follow the inspired order of
the Apostle to the churches of Galatia and
Corinth, when he said, "Upon the first day
of the week, let every one of you lay by him
in store, as God hath prospered him." Il
Cor. xvi: 1, 2.)


You will perceive that the plan here sug-
gested does not interfere to the slightest ex
tent with the ownership of the pews that
have been sold, nor with your present sittings
if you desire to retain them; but it simply
changes the mode and mOtiue Of giving.


Instead of paying every six months de-
finite amount fixed by the trustees and COL
lected by their agent, you are urged to bring
voluntarily to the house of God, Sabbath by
Sabbath, the amount you are disposed to
contribute to meet the necessary expenses of
our own church.


You may select pew, half-pew or a
single sitting as you have formerly done ;
and whatever duty bids you give, or what
ever you consider it privilege to give in
maintaining the services of thesanctuary, you
can add 20 the other contributions which you
are willing to make to the cause of Christ
outside of our own immediate wants.


The sum thus raised will form general
or common benevolent fund, out of which
will be taken an amount sufficient, with care.
full economy, to defray the current expenses
of our own church, and the balance will be
appropriated to our poorer brethren in Mis-
souri,, in aiding them to secure the ministry
of the Gospel, or to build up houses of wor
ship, or to advance the cause of Christian
education.


ADVANTAGES OF THE PLAN.


First. 1t reduces to a system the entire
benevolent operations of the congregation
AS we have adopted the voluntary principle
in helping to support other churches through
out the Synod, there is no propriety no
consistency in refusing to adopt the sam
principle for the support of our own church
If any valid objection can be brought agains