Rensselaer Union, Volume 5, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 May 1873 — Church Property. [ARTICLE]

Church Property.

The aggregate value of church .propfertyji). this country, exempted from taxation, is computed at over three hundred and thirty millions of dollars. The government is sustained by taxes levied upon all classes of citizens without reference to particular religious beliefs. A tax is the price paid by the individual for the security to life and protection to property afforded by, the government. Manufacturing associations, rail way companies, insurance corporations, pay taxes for the same purpose —protection. But church property pays no tax; it bears none of the burdens of government; it returns no equivalent for the guardianship which it asks and receives in like manner and degree as other property which is laid under tribute. In all ecclesiastical controversies requiring the intervention of law for their adjudication, the courts of the land are opened at the expense of the general public. In theory, the Republic designs' to regard all classes of and property with equal favor; in practice, in this instance, w r e see how it fosters in the name of religion a gigantic moneyed monopoly. We make no war upon theahureh —her head is hoary with the centuries— but there is not, as we tliink, good reason nor sound philosophy in awarding her property an immunity not accorded other species of property. The idea of exemption comes down tons from the Middle Ages, when the church and' state were united, and the newer and better Christianity and civilization of modern limes has not yet outgrown it. When will they have done so?— Anderson Herald. ‘ Owing to “low barometers and very wet rains” the recent session of the Presbytery of Logansport, atvVjalparaiso, was not very largely attended. There were fifteen ministers present out of twenty-two, and sixteen ruling elders representing as many churches, whereas there are thirty-eight churches in the Presbytery. Most of the churches are weak and need help from the hoard of missions, and fifteen of them are now without p astors. The leading churches a»6

those of Logansport, first and second, Mouticello, South Bend, Laporto and Valparaiso. The churches of Salem, Hebron and Tassinong were united in one pastoral charge, and the home committee was authorized to ask for S3OO to aid in sustaining their work in that field. The church “ of Wheeler was, placed under the care of the pastor of the church of Valparaiso. The labors of the years past have resulted in hut few conversions, but there was no sign of discouragement. In benevolent contributions, that is, to the boards ol the church, the church of Laporte stands highest; Valparaiso is next on the list. In proportion to membership, the church of Michigan City does more than any other. Valparaiso gave last year to foreign missions, $244; to all other boards, $176. 14. Beer, minister, and J. A. Thornton, ruling elder, were chosen commissioners to the general assembly, which is to meet at Baltimore, May 15. Rochester was chosen as the place for the next stated meeting, and October 14, at 2 o’clock P. M., the time. —Laporte Herald. - _—