HOW TO MANAGE CHURCH FINANCE. No. VI.-How "Weekly Offerings" Work. BY A "LIVE" DEACON. THE first thing to be done, in approaching the diaconal mind with any financial scheme, is to prove that it pays; the next, that it can be worked with a comparatively small expenditure of time and pains; and lastly, that it is likely to be acceptable to the people. I have done this, to some extent, by the reasonings and facts put together in my last paper on the subject of "Weekly Offerings." Those facts are only samples of many more of the like sort. That reasoning only gives part of the evidence in support of the superior excellence of this method over every other the church has yet tried. When the clergyman, as the familiar but instructive story goes, called upon the poor laundress and solicited a donation for his new schools, she said, “Well, I cannot give as the great folks do. I cannot give you a guinea a year, but I will give you sixpence a week." Ask half the members of our churches for half-a-sovereign, and they would look at you as if they imagined you wanted to perform a surgical operation upon them. Beg a few coppers a week, and they will respond with all joy, and pay with promptitude and regularity. This is a fact that deacons should look in the face. Their financial system will not be perfect till it invents an easy and certain process of gathering together the small but numerous gifts of the classes who depend on a weekly wage, and have not yet learnt the art of accumulating large sums. Seat-rents at three and sixpence or five shillings form a serious item to a man or maiden in these circumstances; and occasionally uncomfortable consequences result. The man suffers his seat-rent to get in arrears. It is doubled, nay, trebled, and he cannot meet it; and so disappears, ashamed to show himself because of the debt. He becomes a wanderer; and at last his name is erased from the church book. Let such individuals give weekly, and the probabilities of such difficulties are greatly reduced. Indeed, the "Weekly Offering" supplies a machinery for collecting the smallest gifts of Christ's flock, and so stimulating and increasing their interest in the work of God. And on others of larger means its effect would be equally beneficial. If some men were really to know how little they give to God and His kingdom per annum, they would be afraid to look at themselves in the glass. Expect to hear the award, "They did what they could!" No! They would fear the just doom, Depart from ME; ye did as little as ye could. I never knew you." Think of a man netting £2,000 per annum, and contributing to the church of which he is a member seven pounds! Do you think he could look at such a contrast, if it stood barely before him? 66 A minister said to me, not very long since, that one of his officers used to set apart a definite proportion of all his gains for God, and to give a fixed amount every week. He was always ready to give. The pastor never asked in vain. But recently new light dawned upon the church officer, and he has adopted the theory that all he has belongs to the Lord, and that it is a Jewish idea to assess himself in so much per cent. to God, and to keep a ledger account of his gifts. And this is the effect. He is more prosperous than ever, and yet he gives less and less to God's house; and by the loss of the method of giving, is running close to losing the grace of giving. "Why should a man pray three times a day? Prayer is life. Prayer is a spirit. And life is free, spontaneous, independent of rules, and emancipated from the tyranny of forms." The man who said that has ceased to pray. The fire of devotion is burnt out. These forms are the casket that preserve the jewel, the case protecting the diamond; and though very inferior to the treasure they hold, yet they are necessary for its preservation. The method of weekly giving has enabled the thriving tradesman to win the battle with avarice and covetousness; protected him and his from the waste of God's gifts; and enabled him to keep, fresh and warm, feelings of benevolence stirring in his heart. If a man is making money six days a week, I believe he needs a summons, strengthened and enforced in every possible way, to constrain him to live with all simplicity, and look at wealth as a gift of God, to be spent with a single eye to His glory, and the accomplishment of His saving purposes on the earth. But a deacon of one of the churches said, as we were comparing financial methods, and discussing their merits, “Man is a creature of impulses, of moods and tenses; and it seems to me that if you adopt this methodized giving, you will lose more by the surrender of what is given on impulse than you will gain by your book-keeping style of benevolence." There seems some force in that. But it must be remembered that the impulses to generous giving are not of frequent recurrence; and what with the cautions against indiscriminate charity, and the warnings of "Charity Organization Societies," and the natural tendency to keep what we have got, those waves of benevolence are in danger of ebbing more and more. It only happened once, I think, to Benjamin Franklin to listen to the eloquence of a speaker who so marvellously wrought upon his feeling, as first to make him think of giving where he did not intend it; then to compel him to purpose giving silver instead of copper; and last of all, to empty his pockets. Such impulses are rare as birds of Paradise. Some of our ministers are "good beggars," it is admitted; but, withcut disrespect to them, it may be said, a church finance that waits the movement of their magical wand is not likely to be worth much in itself, or to be of much use in its results. But there is no reason why, whatever advantages belong to impulsive giving, should not be enjoyed as an addition to all those that are supplied by the system of a weekly gift to God. This weekly giving depends upon a weekly storing for God; and that opens wide questions for those who manage the finances of the churches; and therefore I postpone it to another occasion. For the Young. KATIE'S BLESSING. KATIE had never been in the habit of eating, or of seeing the family partake of food —at the table-till after a blessing had been asked upon it. One day her papa was absent from the evening meal; a number had gathered around the table, and among the rest was Katie seated in her little high chair. Close beside her sat a dear old friend, a man who had passed the allotted age of human life, but who was still living without a hope of eternal life. After all were seated, there was a moment's hush, as if we waited for something, and then one and another began to make preparation to eat, when Katie, who saw the movement with a perplexed and serious face, cried out, "Who's going to pray? Somebody must say the blessing." "Can't you pray?" said the gray-haired man, who was feeling rebuked by this little child. Only a moment, and the chubby hands were folded, the blue eyes closed, and the face was turned heavenward, and then the blessing was asked in the language of her own little prayer-"Our Father which art in heaven. Te-ate in me a clean heart, O God, and nu-nue a right spirit within me. Amen." All bowed with reverent head, and the old man said, with tearful eye, "Dear Katie, you have taught me a lesson. I ought to pray." A TRUE STORY ABOUT A TURTLE. ONCE upon a time there was a little turtle. This turtle lived in a glass house. Some people called it an aquarium. It stood near a window. There were other turtles and some pretty fishes in the same place. There was a rock in the middle of the house, which rose above the water. The other turtles would swim about in the water till they were tired, and then would climb up on the rock, and dry themselves in the sunshine which came through the window. Their shells were bright and clean. This little turtle thought God did not intend him to go any higher than the mud where he first found himself; and so he stayed as much as possible at the bottom of the tank, and never went out of the water nor let himself enjoy the warm sunshine. So the green moss began to grow on his back, and the bigger he grew the more mossy he was, till he looked like an old stick instead of a living animal. Do you suppose that boys and girls could live such lazy useless lives, that their hearts and minds would get so crusted over that they would seem to be mossy things instead of living active workers in God's world. SCRAPS FROM THE EDITOR'S WASTE BASKET. I. OFF DUTY.-As we were correcting the second sheet of the May Magazine, we were seized with some acute pains, the precursors of the serious illness through which, by the mercy of God, we have been safely brought. Correcting proof with lancing pains shooting about the body does not facilitate accuracy, and some mistakes escaped us, which we regret. But we began this note to express unfeigned and hearty and deep thanks to brethren throughout the connexion, and beyond it, who have remembered us where it is best to be remembered, even before the all-comforting and all-healing God; and who have, by letter and message, made known their strong sympathy with us in this affliction. As long as life lasts, these signs and tokens of love will never be forgotten. Our many friends will be glad to know that health and strength are returning. II. OUR MAGAZINE, MEANWHILE.Although we require to have a somewhat lengthened rest, our readers need not fear for the efficiency of their Magazine. Man is a creature that looks before, as well as after. In this respect an Editor ought to be a model man. To us this work is easy, for we have such an able and extensive staff of contributors, that not once since we undertook this work has the Magazine drawer been without And now copy." we hope, without invoking the aid of an Editor's deacons, "the scissors and the paste-pot," to make this monthly visitor as welcome and as useful as ever. 66 III. THE COMMUNION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER AT THE ASSOCIATION.-A worthy brother sends two suggestions respecting this most interesting service. The first is, that greater care should be taken to secure good order and thorough calm and quiet, so that the occasion may be as profitable as possible. There is need for this; and it is easy to provide for it, if the whole work is thoroughly mapped out beforehand, and each deacon clearly understands his place of service. It is simply a question of fore-arrangement. The second suggestion is scarcely so practicable or necessary. It is that tickets should be given to those attendants who are not members of our churches. So far as we know, these are remarkably few. The gathering is almost wholly one of General Baptists. "Strangers are not likely to be there. The false and superstitious awe with which Roman Catholics and the State Church have invested this feast of love and joy has so penetrated the English mind, that there is little fear of "members of no Christian church" appearing at the Lord's table. IV. REPORTING THE ASSOCIATION.We have a special and unexpected interest in this subject. Will the Business Committee arrange to appoint some brother, who knows everybody, and how everybody spells his name, to act as "superintendent of the reporting department?" Besides sending reports of the work done to the London, Manchester, and other leading papers, which should be his main business, it is also desirable he should adopt measures by which men may know themselves when they are reported in the local papers. Some of the changes in names wrought by the wizardry of reporters in past years have been both amusing and astonishing. V. CHAPEL PROPERTY RETURNS. Many of these are already received. The remainder should be sent in by June the 15th. Will friends remember that every copy of the Minutes contained a schedule, so that if they have lost the one specially sent, they will know where to find another. It would also be a convenience, if those not yet to hand were sent to Rev. S. S. Allsop, March, Cambs.; or to Mr. J. Wallis Chapman, 11, Sutherland Gardens, Harrow Road, London, W. VI. PEW-OPENER'S BOOTS.-It is one of the most intolerable things we know, to have a creature walking down the aisle of a place of worship in the middle of a service with creaking, squeaking boots. A church officer in this condition ought to be fined; and a pew-opener who so flagrantly offends all the laws of order ought to have no peace till he buys a pair of boots trained to the knowledge of the "eternal silences." It is a little thing, but has a great power of disturbance. VII. PROGRESS.-The Church Register contains cheering signs of progress from month to month. The new churches formed and forming in centres where they are needed, the extension efforts of old churches, and the reports of baptisms, are occasions for thanksgiving and praise to God. All General Baptists will rejoice in the new church commenced at Preston, and pray for its prosperity. May the reports received and the work done at our Assembly stimulate our faith and fire our zeal in the service of our blessed Lord. Reviews. A BRIEF DEFENCE OF SUPERNATURAL CHRISTIANITY. By J. Kennedy, M.A., D.D. Daldy, Isbister, and Co. THE young men of our Sunday schools and churches are so frequently brought into conflict with the doubt and scepticism of the day, that if no other reason existed, that were a sufficient one for providing cheap and accessible literature of a defensive and counteractive character. You do not remove doubt by ignoring it, and harsh and intolerant speeches concerning it only impel young men to encourage it. If doubt is a disease, the great Physician will surely have ways of curing it. If it is a sin, it ought not to be left alone, any more than pride, or vainglory, or covetousness. If it is a stumbling-stone, the heralds of Christ must cast it up. Jesus was specially considerate and tender to doubting disciples. He did not ignore Thomas's doubt; He furnished him with the evidence that removed it. Dr. Kennedy is walking in the Master's footsteps in this book. It is a brief, cogent, caustic, fundamental, and thoroughgoing reply to the principles and arguments of "Supernatural Religion." The many errors of detail in the volumes he does not deal with; but it is a masterly answer to the false reasoning and assumptions which form the substance of the sceptic's book. THE UNCHANGING SAVIOUR; AND OTHER SERMONS. By the late Charles Vince. Hodder and Stoughton. A TENDER and melancholy interest gathers about this volume. It is a voice from the unseen; a message, as it were, from the heavens. It is also a memorial of one of the kindest and most genial of men, of one of the most pathetic and effective of preachers. Every page is bright with his photograph; is instinct with the sweet, strong, Christian spirit that ruled in him. As you read, you catch the tones of his voice, and it seems as though he were present. Men who covet a clear, limpid, easy, graceful style; who seek to fill the heart with strong consolations, to cheer the weary, and encourage the sad, should steep their minds in these sermons. Christians who seek stimulating counsel, bright views of life and service, and strengthened faith, will find them here. Friends who would renew their communion with the sainted preacher cannot have a better help. THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS. By John Bunyan. Religious Tract Society. THE chief attractions of this new edition of the work of the "Immortal Dreamer" are, the fine, large, bold, clear, type, suited for the oldest and feeblest eyes; the well-executed illustrations, from designs by John Gilbert; the interesting though brief memoir of the author; and the strong and beautiful binding in which all this is clothed. Amongst the many forms in which Old John has appeared, this is one of the best. LITTLE CHRISTMAS AND HER FRIENDS. Religious Tract Society. THIS is another of the admirable stories issued by the Religious Tract Society, and exhibits the usual excellencies of their tales in their best form and fullest measure. The plot is ingenious; the characters are graphically drawn and well sustained; and the moral tone is healthy, bracing, and, indeed, everything that could be wished. SUNDAY SCHOOL WORLD. Vol. I. Stock. A GOODLY volume, fully justifying its sub-title, as a magazine of practical help and counsel to Sunday School teachers. It is enriched with most valuable papers by some of our ablest writers, and is edited with all the skill and efficiency that can be desired. THE ENDUEMENT OF POWER. By C. G. Furney. Stock. A WELL-REASONED pamphlet, showing the need of the church to be clothed with the Holy Ghost; the conditions of receiving this power, and the hindrances to its realization. It is a heart-searching appeal. May it do much good! CHARLEY LAUREL. By W. H. G. King ston. Sunday School Union. THIS is a story of the sea, written in Mr. Kingston's best style. The scheme and basis of the story are conceived with genuine skill, and the details are filled in with wonderful adroitness. "The perils of the sea are pourtrayed with graphic power. No youth can read it without being impressed with the sustaining and cheering influence of a real faith in the love and care of God. Church Register. THE ASSOCIATION AT WISBECH, JUNE 21ST TO 25TH. FRIENDS wishing to be accommodated with beds will please apply at once. Not later in any case than Saturday, June 12th. Enclose stamp for reply. Application to be made to Mr. Alfred Ekins, North Brink. A. EKINS, Local Secs. CONFERENCES. The WARWICKSHIRE CONFERENCE met at Longmore Street Chapel, Birmingham, April 20. The morning service commenced with devotional exercises, after which the Rev. W. Lees read a paper marked by fertility of thought and boldness of plan, entitled, "Suggested changes in Church Services and Work." The thanks of the meeting were very heartily accorded to Mr. Lees. The Rev. E. C. Pike, B.A., presided in the afternoon. I. The reports from the churches shewed, baptized, 91; candidates, 97. II. The deputation appointed to visit non-reporting churches gave a satisfactory account of work done. III. The Revs. T. Lewis, of Cinderbank, and H. W. Meadow, of Coventry, were cordially welcomed by the Confer ence. IV. The Rev. E. C. Pike, and Mr. Marshall of Walsall, were deputed to represent the Conference on the General Home Mission Committee at the Association. V. The Secretary was instructed to correspond with the Secretary of the Midland Conference in reference to the enlargement of the Warwickshire Conference. VI. The next Conference to be held at Nuneaton, on Tuesday, Sept. 21st. Paper to be read by the Secretary. Subject, "How to increase the interest of the churches in the Conference." The Rev. H. W. Meadows, of Coventry, to preach. VII. The Revs. J. P. Barnett and R. B. Clare having entered upon new spheres of labour, it was unanimously, resolved"That this Conference in bidding farewell to brethren the Revs. J. P. Barnett of Longford, and R. B. Clare of Netherton, desires to express its sincere regret at their departure, its high estimate of their Christian character and work, and its earnest prayer that the Divine blessing, which has already attended their labours, may follow them always and everywhere." VIII. The Secretary having accepted the pastorate of Emmanuel Church, Leicester, resigned his office. He was requested to retain office for the present. In the evening the Rev. R. B. Clare preached from Acts x. 36. LL. H. PARSONS, Sec. CHURCHES. HEADCORN.-The second anniversary of the settlement of the Rev. C. Hoddinott was celebrated on April 11, 12. Sermons were preached by the pastor, and the Rev. J. Hughes of Smarden. On Monday a tea was provided in the chapel, and at 6.30 a public meeting was held, at which the Revs. C. Hoddinott, J. Hughes of Smarden, and J. J. Kendon of Goudhurst, and other friends, gave addresses. The deacons report of progress and prospects was highly satisfactory. HUCKNALL TORKARD. On Monday evening, May 3, a tea and concert was given by about fifty members of the church and congregation, assisted by Miss Peel of Derby, Mrs. Huish of Kirkby, and some other friends residing in the town. The attendance was good, and the programme very effectually rendered. The proceeds (about £15 10s.) will be devoted to the building fund for the new chapel. The fund already amounts to £761, and the site, which cost £375, is paid for. Mr. Spurgeon, besides generously helping us with a donation of £50, commends the work to the sympathy of the Christian public in the following language "I am greatly rejoiced that there is so urgent a necessity for building a house of prayer at Hucknall Torkard, and I believe it to be a case in which Christian liberality will be wisely exercised, even should it be bountiful to a high degree. I wish our friends the utmost success in their earnest efforts. C. H. SPURGEON," The Rev. W. R. Stevenson, M.A., also commends the work to the liberality of Christian friends. About £3,000 will be needed to complete the work; and meantime we are crowded out that we are negotiating about taking the new Town Hall for our Sabbath evening services. The Magazine informs us of grants from Conferences to some churches, and challenges and acceptances in favour of others. Will no one who knows Hucknall and its needs help us a little? Do try, dear friends. SO |