For the Signs of the Times. BENEVOLENT EFFORT SYSTEMS. 1836

 

For the Signs of the Times.

“Brother Beebe: Being under the necessity of writing to you at present, I will make a statement [unclear]…”

BENEVOLENT EFFORT SYSTEMS.

“He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him out.” — Solomon.

“Welcome, sweet hour of full discharge,
That sets my longing soul at large;
Unbinds my chain, breaks up my cell,
And gives me with my God to dwell.”

Having in the preceding number bestowed some attention on the claims of the modern religious inventions to the high character and title by them assumed, we shall now attend to the questions stated, viz:

I. Have we any authority from Scripture to do, as individual christians, or as churches, the things which are contemplated in the operations of the benevolent societies, so called?

In answering this inquiry, our champion for new things has proposed to draw freely from the documents of the General Meeting of Western Baptists, held in Cincinnati, in 1833; but why not draw freely from the Bible? We, of the Old School, are in the habit of drawing our scriptural authority from the Word of God, not from the documents of any body of uninspired men; and why, since Mr. S. well knows the difference, does he promise scriptural authority, and then transcribe for us the documents of those who by their craft have their wealth? This slip of his unruly pen cannot be attributable to ignorance; it must be attributable to convenience, or design.

[The editor then presses the question.] Is there authority in the Scriptures of truth for these things? If so, where may it be found? But if there is no such authority, do not attempt to establish positions which, if sustained, would justify men in founding and sustaining by their own declarations, a power over the churches, or to call into being, under the notion of doing-God-service, a religious society based upon money, and giving membership, religious privileges and flattering titles indiscriminately to all who will advance the grand sine qua non—Money—irrespective of any further qualifications; or which will amass to itself the wealth of the country by a system of popular mendicancy, under the pretence of supplying the poor and destitute with the Bible gratuitously, and then sell the Scriptures at an advance affording a generous profit to the establishment—which, when added to the amount received from a thousand other revenues that constantly pour their gold and silver into their coffers—not only cover the current expenses of the establishment, but enable the officers, agents and supernumeraries of the institution to rise in affluence and roll in luxury, while these surplus funds are employed in erecting stately mansions [and enlarging their influence].

Now let the question, embracing its legitimate bearings, be answered, and say, Is there authority in the Scriptures of truth for these things? If so, where may it be found?

But if not, then we charge all such institutions with being founded in the wisdom of men, and not in the appointment of God. We deny that they are parts of the kingdom of Christ, or that they are in any sense his ordinances. We deny that churches are under any obligation to support them or that ministers are authorized to preach them. We deny that the treasury of the Lord is to be confounded with the treasury of these institutions, and the widow’s mite cast into the chest of a society, that men may boast of their liberality, and print it in annual reports.

At other times, I find my soul cleaving to the dust, especially when I look at the little Church planted here; just as if the Lord needed my puny services, or could not, from our very weakness, ‘Tell the triumphs of his power and love.’ But this all comes from the flesh. I know that they are God-dishonouring thoughts, and I contend against them, and groan; but when I reflect on the stability of the Church, as secured in an everlasting covenant, well ordered and sure, it puts everything in its right place; my soul is set at ease, and I rejoice, yea and well rejoice. Enclosed is Five Dollars, please send as directed below—I wish it were a hundred, but what of that? The Kingdom of our glorious Redeemer does not stand in such things as silver and gold, but in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. That these may be in you and abound, and in all that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and truth, is the prayer of…”

That section then closes:

“…your friend and well-wisher in the cause of so good and lasting benefits,
JOHN TAYLOR.”