A FREE GOSPEL!

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 24, 1887

An Eastern paper remarks that “there is a sense in which the gospel may be made too free,” and, as an illustration, publishes the following anecdote:—

“A wealthy planter, a man of education, an eloquent speaker, a successful politician, was converted. He wanted to do good. His neighbors were irreligious, and he felt that his first duty was to them. He built a commodious church, put an organ in it, and hired an organist. He obtained a license to preach, and prepared some excellent sermons. When the house was ready, he sent his servants all over the neighborhood, and invited everybody to come to church. The people came and listened. At the close of the service the preacher thanked them for coming, and invited them to come again.

“Thus year after year the man went on paying all expenses himself, not taking collections from anybody; for he wanted to convince the people that the gospel was free, “without money and without price.” “And what was the result?” we asked. “Oh, he preached for twenty years, and there wasn’t a single conversion in all that time!” People are not likely to prize very highly that which costs them nothing. If you want to get a man into the church, begin by getting him to do something for it. If you want to develop the piety of a church, train its members to work and to give.”