1910
The Christian village of Hombo in Africa is a proof of the power of the gospel. At daybreak every morning the horn is blown and the people assemble at the king's house to hear the word of God read, and to praise and pray. Witchcraft and superstition have fallen under the power of the gospel, and the heathens are taking knowledge of it. The native church at Loanda contributes $17 a month for the support of native workers on a native station in the interior of Angola.
Showing posts with label tithing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tithing. Show all posts
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
The "Thirteen" Superstition
1910
According to reliable authorities the popular superstition that attaches to the number 13 owes its origin to the story of "The Last Supper." For unreckoned centuries the superstition has been universal that if 13 persons sit down to a meal at the same table one of them will die before the year is out. This doubtless comes from the Biblical feast when Christ sat down at table with his 12 disciples.
Those Small Pledges
When the minister views the display of millinery this morning, he will begin to understand why ten cents a week is all that some of his parishioners can afford to subscribe.
According to reliable authorities the popular superstition that attaches to the number 13 owes its origin to the story of "The Last Supper." For unreckoned centuries the superstition has been universal that if 13 persons sit down to a meal at the same table one of them will die before the year is out. This doubtless comes from the Biblical feast when Christ sat down at table with his 12 disciples.
Those Small Pledges
When the minister views the display of millinery this morning, he will begin to understand why ten cents a week is all that some of his parishioners can afford to subscribe.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
The Religious "Slot-Machine"
1899
In the Adirondack Mountains, at a place of popular resort, there is a chapel where the contributions are often liberal in the summer season, but where the contributions still chiefly consist, as far as bulk goes, of small coins. The rector of this church, who is a man of dignified and ministerial appearance, is accustomed to go with the Sunday offering to one of the hotels, and receive a check for the amount of it.
One Monday morning he was counting the money at the desk of the hotel cashier, and was at that moment scraping together the nickels and coppers, which were in abundant supply. Just then a bell-boy came up who seemed to have something on his mind.
"What is it, my little man?" asked the rector, in his most honeyed tone.
"Beg pardon, sir," said the boy, "but are you the man what runs the slot-machine down-stairs?"
The boy could never understand why all the people, including the rector, laughed at him. The laugh was really on the Sunday contributors to the church funds. Many clergymen, we have no doubt, will sympathize with this supposed proprietor of the slot-machine. — Youth's Companion.
In the Adirondack Mountains, at a place of popular resort, there is a chapel where the contributions are often liberal in the summer season, but where the contributions still chiefly consist, as far as bulk goes, of small coins. The rector of this church, who is a man of dignified and ministerial appearance, is accustomed to go with the Sunday offering to one of the hotels, and receive a check for the amount of it.
One Monday morning he was counting the money at the desk of the hotel cashier, and was at that moment scraping together the nickels and coppers, which were in abundant supply. Just then a bell-boy came up who seemed to have something on his mind.
"What is it, my little man?" asked the rector, in his most honeyed tone.
"Beg pardon, sir," said the boy, "but are you the man what runs the slot-machine down-stairs?"
The boy could never understand why all the people, including the rector, laughed at him. The laugh was really on the Sunday contributors to the church funds. Many clergymen, we have no doubt, will sympathize with this supposed proprietor of the slot-machine. — Youth's Companion.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Sunday and Monday Beggars
1900
Ian Maclaren Says There Is No Difference
"The pew is a testimony to the family and ought to be maintained with its doors removed, and it does not matter whether a man pays $50 a year for his pew or 50 cents," writes Ian Maclaren of "The Pew and the Man in It" in the Ladies' Home Journal.
"The church authorities should see that the householder has his pew, with room enough in it for himself, his wife and the children which God has given them.
"There is no reason in the world why the rich man should not pay a handsome sum for his church home. And some of us have never been able to understand why an artisan should not give something for his church home also.
"Surely every man wishes to do what is right in the direction of his church. Every self-respecting man likes to pay for his home whether it be large or small, and it touches a man's honor to live in a workhouse, where he pays no rent and depends on the public. There is no necessity that this home feeling and this just independence should be denied in the house of God, but it rather seems a good thing that the man who works and gives to provide a house where he and the children can live together in comfort and self-respect six days of the week should do his part to sustain the house where they worship God on the seventh day.
"He is a poor creature who will allow a rich man to pay his rent for him on week-days, and I have never been able to see where there is any difference between being a beggar on Sunday and a beggar on Monday."
Ian Maclaren Says There Is No Difference
"The pew is a testimony to the family and ought to be maintained with its doors removed, and it does not matter whether a man pays $50 a year for his pew or 50 cents," writes Ian Maclaren of "The Pew and the Man in It" in the Ladies' Home Journal.
"The church authorities should see that the householder has his pew, with room enough in it for himself, his wife and the children which God has given them.
"There is no reason in the world why the rich man should not pay a handsome sum for his church home. And some of us have never been able to understand why an artisan should not give something for his church home also.
"Surely every man wishes to do what is right in the direction of his church. Every self-respecting man likes to pay for his home whether it be large or small, and it touches a man's honor to live in a workhouse, where he pays no rent and depends on the public. There is no necessity that this home feeling and this just independence should be denied in the house of God, but it rather seems a good thing that the man who works and gives to provide a house where he and the children can live together in comfort and self-respect six days of the week should do his part to sustain the house where they worship God on the seventh day.
"He is a poor creature who will allow a rich man to pay his rent for him on week-days, and I have never been able to see where there is any difference between being a beggar on Sunday and a beggar on Monday."
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Watch!
1874
There is no period in a Christian's life without peril of sin. A wily foe attends his steps, watching with sleepless vigilance for opportunities which may be made occasions for his fall. The only security for the child of God, therefore, throughout his entire pilgrimage, is in unrelaxing watchfulness. As the citadel is only secure against surprise and capture, when faithful sentinels, with pauseless step, pursue their steady tread along its walls and before its gates, so, the soul, the temple of the Holy Ghost, is alone impregnable against the Prince of Darkness when all its powers, clad in Gospel mail, guard every avenue, with incessant vigilance, against the entrance of evil.
But there are seasons of peculiar jeopardy, when unusual perils beset the Christian, and so insidiously, as to threaten his safety with more than ordinary promise of success. We are passing through such a season now, and there is need of the note of warning which we sound from the head of this article. We have seen and heard enough already to satisfy us that without great caution, the Adversary will gather rich spoils from the present "panic." The scarcity of money will be a strong temptation to many to disregard the sacred obligations by which they are bound to support the cause of God in its various departments. The pressure is so great, the future so threatening, the necessity for retrenchment so imperious, and "withholding more than is meet" so much more consonant with natural inclination, than the self-denial which enhances the gifts we lay upon God's altar, that, without weariness, many good people will be seduced into the sin of "robbing God" who would shrink from wilfully bringing upon their souls so grievous a crime. This is the supreme peril of the times; let Christian people guard against it. Be sure that you are personally cramped by the prevalent stringency, before you make it a plea for withholding your dues from the Church or the claims of charity.
If really straightened, see to it that personal gratification is postponed to the claims of Him whose steward you are. It is right to be provident, but it is safe to give when the cause of God presents its claims, so long as there is anything with which to respond to its demands. The widow of Sarepta passed a "crisis" incomparably more trying than any we experience or are ever likely to encounter; and passed it safely, by dividing her scanty store with the prophet of the Lord. There is infinitely greater danger of damaging your soul by treacherous dealing with duty, than there is of impoverishing yourself by excessive contributions to the Lord's treasury. "Take heed then, and beware of covetuousness," which has a powerful ally in the present monetary stress. There is blessing or disaster for us in these trying times, according as we use them. Let us watch against the evils they threaten, and enrich our experience with all the spiritual benefits they are capable of yielding.
There is no period in a Christian's life without peril of sin. A wily foe attends his steps, watching with sleepless vigilance for opportunities which may be made occasions for his fall. The only security for the child of God, therefore, throughout his entire pilgrimage, is in unrelaxing watchfulness. As the citadel is only secure against surprise and capture, when faithful sentinels, with pauseless step, pursue their steady tread along its walls and before its gates, so, the soul, the temple of the Holy Ghost, is alone impregnable against the Prince of Darkness when all its powers, clad in Gospel mail, guard every avenue, with incessant vigilance, against the entrance of evil.
But there are seasons of peculiar jeopardy, when unusual perils beset the Christian, and so insidiously, as to threaten his safety with more than ordinary promise of success. We are passing through such a season now, and there is need of the note of warning which we sound from the head of this article. We have seen and heard enough already to satisfy us that without great caution, the Adversary will gather rich spoils from the present "panic." The scarcity of money will be a strong temptation to many to disregard the sacred obligations by which they are bound to support the cause of God in its various departments. The pressure is so great, the future so threatening, the necessity for retrenchment so imperious, and "withholding more than is meet" so much more consonant with natural inclination, than the self-denial which enhances the gifts we lay upon God's altar, that, without weariness, many good people will be seduced into the sin of "robbing God" who would shrink from wilfully bringing upon their souls so grievous a crime. This is the supreme peril of the times; let Christian people guard against it. Be sure that you are personally cramped by the prevalent stringency, before you make it a plea for withholding your dues from the Church or the claims of charity.
If really straightened, see to it that personal gratification is postponed to the claims of Him whose steward you are. It is right to be provident, but it is safe to give when the cause of God presents its claims, so long as there is anything with which to respond to its demands. The widow of Sarepta passed a "crisis" incomparably more trying than any we experience or are ever likely to encounter; and passed it safely, by dividing her scanty store with the prophet of the Lord. There is infinitely greater danger of damaging your soul by treacherous dealing with duty, than there is of impoverishing yourself by excessive contributions to the Lord's treasury. "Take heed then, and beware of covetuousness," which has a powerful ally in the present monetary stress. There is blessing or disaster for us in these trying times, according as we use them. Let us watch against the evils they threaten, and enrich our experience with all the spiritual benefits they are capable of yielding.
Friday, May 18, 2007
For the Contribution Box at Greek Church
1910
A Convenient Arrangement for Giving Early and Often in Use in a Greek Church.
A custom among attendants of the Greek church at Trebizond explains the use of certain tokens which have been presented to the American Numismatic society.
According to the Journal of the society sometimes several collections are made during the service in these churches. Even should there be but one, the visitor may desire to make a special contribution at the shrine or picture of some of the saints whose intercession he desires to secure, or he may wish to purchase a candle for use in some of the ceremonials in public or private devotions.
On entering the church, therefore, he exchanges a certain sum of money with the deacon at the gate for an equivalent amount of these tokens. He is thus able to respond to the calls for the various offerings during the service or to deposit his gift at the shrine of the saint by using one or more of these tokens as he may be disposed, yet without any heavy demand on his purse. These church tokens are sometimes of brass and sometimes of paper.
A Convenient Arrangement for Giving Early and Often in Use in a Greek Church.
A custom among attendants of the Greek church at Trebizond explains the use of certain tokens which have been presented to the American Numismatic society.
According to the Journal of the society sometimes several collections are made during the service in these churches. Even should there be but one, the visitor may desire to make a special contribution at the shrine or picture of some of the saints whose intercession he desires to secure, or he may wish to purchase a candle for use in some of the ceremonials in public or private devotions.
On entering the church, therefore, he exchanges a certain sum of money with the deacon at the gate for an equivalent amount of these tokens. He is thus able to respond to the calls for the various offerings during the service or to deposit his gift at the shrine of the saint by using one or more of these tokens as he may be disposed, yet without any heavy demand on his purse. These church tokens are sometimes of brass and sometimes of paper.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Pastor Has Pretty Girls for Ushers: Attendance, Giving Up
1897
Girls Fill The Church
Pretty Ushers Prove a Paying Move at Trenton, N.J.
Rev. Maurice Penfield Fikes, of the First Baptist church, Trenton, N. J., has astonished religious circles by introducing in his church a novel feature in the form of girl ushers, whose business it is to take up the collections as well as to show church attendants to seats.
Mr. Fikes advertised the fact that there would be girl ushers in the church, and it was incidentally announced that in selecting care would be taken to pick out half a dozen, of the prettiest maidens in the congregation. The announcement was sufficient to draw to the church recently such an attendance of young men as was never there before.
Every seat in the church was filled long before services were begun, and it was necessary to set chairs in the aisles to accommodate the crowd. As ushers the girls were a grand success, but their best service was given when the time came to take up the collection. Pastor Fikes, prior to the time for starting the girls out with the contribution boxes, announced that the Lord loves a cheerful giver and said that he who gave to a church invested his money in an institution that was better than a savings bank. "Give freely and cheerfully," said he, "and the Lord, as well as these good girls, will appreciate it." The contribution was the largest ever taken in the church.
—Dubuque Daily Herald, Dubuque, IA, Dec. 4, 1897, p. 7.
Girls Fill The Church
Pretty Ushers Prove a Paying Move at Trenton, N.J.
Rev. Maurice Penfield Fikes, of the First Baptist church, Trenton, N. J., has astonished religious circles by introducing in his church a novel feature in the form of girl ushers, whose business it is to take up the collections as well as to show church attendants to seats.
Mr. Fikes advertised the fact that there would be girl ushers in the church, and it was incidentally announced that in selecting care would be taken to pick out half a dozen, of the prettiest maidens in the congregation. The announcement was sufficient to draw to the church recently such an attendance of young men as was never there before.
Every seat in the church was filled long before services were begun, and it was necessary to set chairs in the aisles to accommodate the crowd. As ushers the girls were a grand success, but their best service was given when the time came to take up the collection. Pastor Fikes, prior to the time for starting the girls out with the contribution boxes, announced that the Lord loves a cheerful giver and said that he who gave to a church invested his money in an institution that was better than a savings bank. "Give freely and cheerfully," said he, "and the Lord, as well as these good girls, will appreciate it." The contribution was the largest ever taken in the church.
—Dubuque Daily Herald, Dubuque, IA, Dec. 4, 1897, p. 7.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Ram's Horns – Observations on The Christian Life
1895
The devil never makes any flank movements for which God is not prepared.
Put a pig in a parlor, and its first question will be, "Well, Where's your mud?"
There are a good many things the devil can't do without the help of a hypocrite.
Whoever gives as God prospers him, will never have to stop giving for lack of funds.
Until we are willing to do all in our power to answer our prayer, we do not pray.
The man who can learn from his own mistakes, can always be learning something.
Whenever God's chariot comes to a standstill, it is because there are obstacles in the way that human hands can remove.
Before we try to lead others, we ought to be sure that we are closely following Christ.
Many are willing to do what God wants them to do, who don't want to be what he wants them to be.
The man who puts the bottle to his neighbor's lips, first puts a nail through the hand of Christ.
The devil's work in this world has always been most hindered by those who were most like Christ.
No matter how large the gift, or how bright, it means nothing, unless behind it there is a heart that worships.
A revival is badly needed where the people who try the hardest to run the church never go to prayer meeting.
Christ never authorized anybody to make a prayer for the salvation of men, that could he measured by square miles.
No matter what a man says in church, you know what kind of religion he has when you know what kind of company he keeps. — Ram's Horn.
The devil never makes any flank movements for which God is not prepared.
Put a pig in a parlor, and its first question will be, "Well, Where's your mud?"
There are a good many things the devil can't do without the help of a hypocrite.
Whoever gives as God prospers him, will never have to stop giving for lack of funds.
Until we are willing to do all in our power to answer our prayer, we do not pray.
The man who can learn from his own mistakes, can always be learning something.
Whenever God's chariot comes to a standstill, it is because there are obstacles in the way that human hands can remove.
Before we try to lead others, we ought to be sure that we are closely following Christ.
Many are willing to do what God wants them to do, who don't want to be what he wants them to be.
The man who puts the bottle to his neighbor's lips, first puts a nail through the hand of Christ.
The devil's work in this world has always been most hindered by those who were most like Christ.
No matter how large the gift, or how bright, it means nothing, unless behind it there is a heart that worships.
A revival is badly needed where the people who try the hardest to run the church never go to prayer meeting.
Christ never authorized anybody to make a prayer for the salvation of men, that could he measured by square miles.
No matter what a man says in church, you know what kind of religion he has when you know what kind of company he keeps. — Ram's Horn.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
$10,000,000 Business Turned Over To Church
1953
PENDLETON. Ore. — A pious businessman and his wife said today they gave their $10,000,000 lumber business to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church because they "wanted to do right by God."
Clyde H. Harris, 62, and his wife, Mary, said they felt God helped them build up the firm since it was only a small box factory 40 years ago.
"God expects his share of a man's income," Harris said.
The entire assets and plant of Harris Pine Hills, Inc. was turned over to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church Wednesday. W. H. Branson of Washington, D.C. world president of the denomination, said it was the largest gift ever received by the church, which has a program reaching into 179 countries.
Mr. and Mrs. Harris joined the church a short time after they were married 38 years ago in Milton, Ore. She was a co-owner and officer in the business.
They said the firm was the largest manufacturer of unfinished furniture in the world, shipping 2,000 pieces a day. It also manufactures and sells 50,000,000 board feet of lumber and 5,000,000 fruit boxes a year.
The firm has 700 employees, 600 in Oregon. It has small assembly plants at Chicago Heights, Ill.; Alexandria, Va., and Cleburne, Tex.
—The Chronicle Telegram, Elyria, Ohio, January 28, 1953, page 11.
PENDLETON. Ore. — A pious businessman and his wife said today they gave their $10,000,000 lumber business to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church because they "wanted to do right by God."
Clyde H. Harris, 62, and his wife, Mary, said they felt God helped them build up the firm since it was only a small box factory 40 years ago.
"God expects his share of a man's income," Harris said.
The entire assets and plant of Harris Pine Hills, Inc. was turned over to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church Wednesday. W. H. Branson of Washington, D.C. world president of the denomination, said it was the largest gift ever received by the church, which has a program reaching into 179 countries.
Mr. and Mrs. Harris joined the church a short time after they were married 38 years ago in Milton, Ore. She was a co-owner and officer in the business.
They said the firm was the largest manufacturer of unfinished furniture in the world, shipping 2,000 pieces a day. It also manufactures and sells 50,000,000 board feet of lumber and 5,000,000 fruit boxes a year.
The firm has 700 employees, 600 in Oregon. It has small assembly plants at Chicago Heights, Ill.; Alexandria, Va., and Cleburne, Tex.
—The Chronicle Telegram, Elyria, Ohio, January 28, 1953, page 11.
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