Systematic Beneficence in the Presbyterian Church [pp. 351-370]

360 SYSTEMATIC BENEFICENCE IN THE [April,
increased expenditures; and if monthly remittances are made,
as this plan contemplates, there will be no saving in postage,
but an increase over the present system. The postage paid
in acknowledging remittances by all the Boards during the
year does not amount to $(3OO.
(2) Unity. This is a strong argument. It is said, "The
work is one at home and' abroad, one in every department of
it." But if this plea has any weight, it covers more than the
simple benevolent operations of the Church, it extends to
every de~artment. But is this the principle on which her
whole working machinery is carried on? Are minister's
salaries, funds for Church buildings, theologieal seminaries,
etc., thrown into a common treasury, and do those interested
draw from it, pro rata? This would be a noble exhibition of
union, and if it could be thoroughly systematized, "it would
tend to give unity, breadth and deeper interest to the
thoughts of church members generally." Then what a sav ing it would be, if all our Presbyterian newspapers were
merged into one! Why should the Church have as many
weekly sheets nearly as it has Boards? Consolidation would
-release a number of ministers and set them free to preach
the Gospel. Such fusion might not be agreeable to some,
but what of that so long as it would give the world such an
idea of unity of thought and effort. It might not accomplish
so much good or reach so many individuals and households,
but would not uniformity of procedure and singleness of pur- pose be seen! But this oneness of church work does not
depend for expression upon a Central Treasury. It is the
same in its character and operations whether its resources are
drawn from one or many treasuries.
(3) Whether it would furnish a more steady supply of funds
for the Boards would depend upon the manner in which it
was adopted and carried out. Unless it were generally em braced, and faithfully worked so as to develop larger benevo lence, this reason would have little weight. The ministration
must be equal to the distribution or the Boards would soon
be involved in difficulties. The trouble now is not so much
the fluctuation in remittances as their insufficiency. Wer~