MAMMON (MONEY)

We are amazed at the arrogance of what benevolent institutions were claiming in Beebe's time (and still claim), concerning the power of money. - ed.

We find an article in the last number of the New York Recorder. A new school Baptist paper. Copied from the Puritan recorder. Commended and urged as worthy to be imitated by Baptists, in which the endowment of Andover Theological Seminary some 50 years ago is stated as the procuring cause of the existence of Professor Stewart. With all the new discoveries he has represented to have made in the science of divinity. And the multitude of students instructed by him at that school, with all the wonders performed by him and them.

A few $1000 invested, according to the opinion of the writer, has produced all the wonderful commentaries of that learned man. Also, some 1500 graduates who have learned the art of science or interpreting the Scriptures. More than 1000 preachers and 200 missionaries have resulted from the investment of filthy. Lucre. The Unitarian heresy has been arrested. And the divinity of Christ, established by money and the good already accomplished by the trifling investment, is said to be but a small part of what is yet to be accomplished. We have no room to copy the whole article, but we will copy the concluding paragraph verbatim.

"Now let it be considered that one of these things could have been done so well, if done at all, had not that institution been well endowed. All this good, therefore, may be said to result under God from a liberal investment of money for Christ's sake. All this would never have been done but for the subjugation. And consecration of Mammon. It never would have been done had not some few, rich and noble, been called. Verily the God of this world is worth something. In his place.

Now it becomes a question of great practicable importance and interest to those who have wealth, whether similar good may not again be done by similar investments."

The Holy Spirit is not mentioned or alluded to in the whole article. As having anything to do in the matter. Unless we. Infer an illusion where the writer says. Quote Not one of these blessings, UN quote, including the expounding of the Scriptures, the making of over 1000 ministers and 200 missionaries, arresting heresy, and defense of the divinity Of Christ. Could have been done so well, if done at all, had knocked that institution been endowed. If the Holy Spirit is here alluded to by the writer. As well as the promised comforter who should abide with God's children forever and open to them, the scriptures call men into and qualify them for the ministry. And then the illusion is most shockingly blasphemous, for the article assumes that even the Holy Spirit could not have done these things so well. If we could have done them at all, as they are done by the appropriation of money. The writer has used the words under God. But in what sense? Can you mean that the money was raised and the school endowed under the authority of God? By his command and in obedience to his word? If so. Why does he not point us to the record of that command? This they have never attempted to do. This they cannot do. For God has never given such command. Hence in saying under God they evidently make void his authority by their own tradition, and teach for doctrines the commandments of men.

What can be more insulting to the divine majesty than for men to assume the attributes of the Holy Spirit in opening the Scriptures, calling, qualifying and taking the charge, government protection, etcetera of the ministry, and pretending to improve a policy which God has pronounced? Perfect.?

All this would have never been done but for the subjugation of Mammon! Mammoth. The writer correctly defined to be the God of this world, an idle! And the very idle too, whom Paul says has blinded the eyes of those who do not believe. But the Puritans have subjugated this heathen deity. Consecrated and set him up in what they call the church. They have seated him in the Temple of God. In place of God himself and ascribe him the revelation of eternal things, the calling and qualification of the Gospel Ministry, and finally, they say to the people, as Aaron said to Israel. These be thy gods which brought you out of Egypt. If the writer avers, the God of this world is worth something. It must be in his place. And where is his place? In the world. Don't bring him into the Church of God, for if any man defiles the Temple of God. God will judge and destroy. We are not surprised that the Puritans who, in their palmiest days, slaughtered the Saints and all others who would not conform to their church and state establishments. Should thus openly expose their idolatry. But to find the conductors of the New York recorder, the mouthpiece of the new School Baptists of this state, treading so closely in the steps and recommending the consecration of an acknowledged idol among Professed Baptists, is somewhat startling.

Gilbert Beebe

February 15, 1852