Ghostly Social Entertainments Versus Scriptural Giving
By A. Weeks
I COPY the following from the Port Huron Times, as significant in showing the state of the churches:— “The ‘sheet and pillow case’ social, at the residence of Mrs. F. L. Wells, on Wednesday evening, April 19, was a very enjoyable affair, affording entertainment and amusement to all present. “Some twenty or thirty persons were arrayed in ghostly habiliments with masks, and about one hundred persons were present altogether. There was great curiosity among the lookers-on to learn the identity of the maskers, but only a few of them were recognized. The party broke up shortly after ten o’clock. The receipts of the social, for the benefit of the Episcopal church were something over $22.” Now let us compare the manner of raising money recommended by Paul, with the above mode: “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him.” 1 Cor. 16: 2. This instructs us to make the laying aside a portion of our earnings the first business of the week. Therefore laying by as God has prospered is a duty. But the popular churches have lost sight of this duty, and have resorted to all manner of inventions appealing to the passions of the worldling. The principle in this matter seems to be that the church must be supported if the devil has to do it. Only imagine Paul countenancing “a ghostly entertainment,” and you have a picture that is revolting, yet it is the position of many that claim to be treading the narrow way. It may be truly said, Babylon is fallen. A. WEEKS.
Smith’s Creek, Mich.