A RIGHTEOUS STAND AGAINST AN EVIL PRACTISE.
By E. W. Whitney
WHILE the prevailing tendency is so strong in favor of questionable methods of raising funds for worthy objects, both in and out of the church, it is indeed a pleasure to note exceptions to the rule, and to commend the courage which opposes popular evils in “high places.” A brief account of such an exception may therefore be of interest and profit to the readers of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. This place has, for the past few days, been the scene of considerable agitation over the question of the “lottery plan” of raising funds for church and charity purposes. The treasury of the organization known as the “G. A. R.” was empty. A fair was gotten up for the purpose of replenishing it; and, connected with it, an extensive lottery scheme was instituted. A large list of prizes, ranging from an eight-hundred dollar piano to a box of cigars, and aggregating over $1,500, was advertised. Every dealer in the place, I understand, except one, furnished something to go into the list of prizes. The tickets, at $1.00 each, admitted to the fair, and gave “a chance” on some one of the prizes. There was an immense sale of tickets among all classes. The evil of the lottery feature was noticed publicly in one of the churches of the city as soon as advertised, and the question began to be agitated. The ministers, however, were personally solicited to purchase tickets. With one exception, so far as I know, they refused, and at their regular Monday meeting passed unanimously the following remonstrance, which was presented to the managers of the fair, and afterward published in the city papers:— We, the members of the Boulder Ministers’ Union, hereby declare our good-will toward the Grand Army of the Republic, but we regret the methods advertised by the Grand Army for their fair in this town during this week. The chances given upon the admission tickets are either a lottery, or so much akin to a lottery as to be subversive of public and private morals, and, in the former case, against law. In either case the Ministers’ Union, having regard to the public weal, respectfully request the withdrawal of this part of the entertainment. A. R. Wheeler, Pres., S. D. Baptist,
W. Robson Notman, Sec’y., Presbyterian,
M. D. Hornbeck, Methodist,
J. E. Pickett, Christian,
P. H. Hickman, Episcopal,
C. Caverno, Congregational,
E. W. Whitney, S. D. Adventist,
E. G. Lane, Baptist. Next day appeared editorials in both papers scoring the ministers for condemning a practice for which the churches set the example in their “fishing ponds, bazaars, grab-bags, etc.,” of which it was said, and rightfully too, that they were “of the same cloth, though perhaps of smaller dimensions.” They indorsed the principles underlying the action of the ministers, but, in words used by one, were cautioned to “let him who is without sin shy the first rock into the ring.” The same issue of one of the papers printed the following, indorsing the ministers’ remonstrance:— EDITOR Herald: I am much gratified to notice in your issue of yesterday that the ministers of Boulder have taken the position they have in regard to the methods employed by the G. A. R. for raising funds at their fair this week. When the real good of the community, and especially the moral interests of our young people, are considered, it is certainly a wise step to discountenance such methods in their very beginnings. I understand that here in Boulder this is the first time this feature of “chance” has, to any considerable extent, been connected with so-called religious or charitable entertainments. This speaks well for the public sentiment of the town in72this regard in the past, and while one reads and hears so much of the lottery scheme connected with so many enterprises, until even the “church lottery” has become a byword with those who are glad to find occasion to cast reproach upon the cause of Christ, this personal and united remonstrance on the part of the ministers of the city is indeed highly gratifying, and must meet with a response of approval from all who have the best interests of society at heart. It is, perhaps, not to be expected that the request of the ministers will be acceded to by the managers of the fair, but much good certainly may result from their action. No doubt many have purchased tickets without considering the nature of the thing to which they are thus lending their influence. Such still have the opportunity, now that their attention is called to the matter, of casting their influence upon the right side by refusing to accept the prizes their tickets draw, and, as in this case, the prizes would still be the property of the G. A. R., the funds of the order would by such action be, to the amount of value, just that much increased. Again, by this remonstrance the righteous sentiment against this sort of thing will be awakened in all who are led by it to consider the matter more thoughtfully. To the ministers who have so clearly spoken out against an evil practice let the testimony of public sentiment be, “Well done.” Yours for good morals, The following day denials of the charges made by the editors were published from two of the pastors (Congregationalist and Baptist) to the effect that, so far as their respective churches were concerned, no such practice had obtained during their pastorates. That of the Baptist pastor was in the form of an appeal, and relating as it does to the attitude of Christians to such practices, is worthy a place in this connection:— AN APPEAL TO CHRISTIAN PEOPLE.
I wish to heartily indorse the suggestion made by the anonymous writer in your issue of yesterday, and call upon all Christian people, and especially those of my own church and congregation, who have purchased tickets ignorant of the gambling nature of the affair, to heed the suggestion, burn your tickets, and refuse to accept the prizes your tickets draw. It is never too late to protest against or condemn a wrong. The fact that the thing is wrong is always sufficient justification for its condemnation. And I know of no better proof of the sincerity of your profession, or greater rebuke that could be given to this evil, than the refusal to receive these lottery prizes to which you may be entitled. I agree with our dailies that grab-bags, fishing ponds, church lotteries “are of the same cloth,” and wish the church would always put its strings of severest condemnation upon them. The charge has been made in the Camera that the Christians owe the erection and maintenance of their churches to such questionable methods. Whatever may be true of the past, or with the other churches, in the present I deny publicly the truth of it as far as the present membership of the church of which I have the honor to be pastor, is concerned during my ministry. This church has been supported by the voluntary contribution of its members without bazaar, festival, kermis, concerts, or lecture, and with only one instance of meal serving in the beginning of the present pastorate, and that not with his sanction nor without his private protest. Frequently has the pastor publicly condemned these methods of money raising, believing that the church should support the church. The present membership and ministry of Boulder are not responsible for the actions of the past. If their predecessors approved of doing evil that good might come, the present church does not. Let the present church constituency, because of an enlightened understanding and conscience on the evil of the thing, show that they have a higher code of morals and a more jealous regard for them, by opposing all that tends to weaken those morals. Let the Christians stand for righteousness, that no reproach may be cast upon the church for the Christ who is its head. I therefore appeal to my people and all Christian people in the name of Jesus Christ, who redeemed you, by whose name you are called, by whose word you are taught, and by whose Spirit you are led, “to avoid even the very appearance of evil.” Yours for righteousness, E. G. LANE,
Pastor First Baptist Church. The agitation has occasioned study of right principles by many who had before given the matter no thought; and as partial fruits I know of those who have given up their tickets, of others who are sorry they donated to the enterprise, and who now renounce the evil. Such things, as they increase, will surely open the eyes of those who love righteousness, and will lead such to come out from among those who practice them, and be separate. Boulder, Colo., Jan. 17, 1897.