The Mode of Raising Funds for Church Work [pp. 330-351]

FINANCES OF THE CHUECH. [April,
ments, and to present each by itself. That important law of
the human mind, that general truths and indefinite statements prodnee little impression, while partienlar truths and
sharply-defined statements take hold with a firm grasp, has
been appealed to as showing, conclusively, the wisdom of
this plan of separation. Undoubtedly sucli a law exists, and
it cannot be violated with impunity, but the application of it
here made is wrong. The general truths and indefinite stateinents it supposes, need not and ought not to have anything
to do with the presentation of Church work. What the plan
proposed aims to do is to view the parts of this great work
through the whole and in connection with it, rather than the
parts separately. The human race is one family. All have
the same nature and the same characteristics, all are infected
with the same disease, and the remedy is the same for all.
There need not be, and there ought not to be, any lack of
definiteness either in the matter or the method of its presentation. If there is, it is the fault of the speaker, not of the
subject, a difficulty found in other cases beside this.
The wants of the world and what is being done to snpply
them, and what the ability of the Church will enable it to do,
may be set forth in a comparatively short series of clear and
definite statements, so as to constitute an impressive outline
of the whole. This, by repetition, will soon become familiar
to a congregation, so that a single reference will call it up.
With this before them, a careful survey of any particular part
can be made, and by the improvement of the opportunities
afforded, by a monthly statement in the church, and a second
in the Monthly Concert, a congregation can be kept abreast
with all the important items of information furnished by the
several Boards and Committees, and thus the whole field will
be kept fresh and distinct before them.
But let it not be forgotten, that too much stress may be laid
upon this matter of presenting information. This is not the
first, but the second thing. The motives which should be first
and mainly pressed are, wors~i~pin~ G9~ an(1 ~onor~g an{1
obeyt)~~ C/~rist by our gJts. The believer does not reach the
t rue gospel standard until these spiritual and lofty motives