Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 April 1877 — Church Debts. [ARTICLE]

Church Debts.

Out of debt, out of danger, and hap py is that people which is in such a case. At this moment, in these hard times, the most serious consequences are threatening many of thi ehnre »esr Not the churches of qne denomination only, but of all names, Protestant and Catholic jalike. We have good auftlority for saying that many churches, of several different names, in this city, and we fear it is so in other cities and in the rural districts as well, are embarrassed, and in such straits as to give them great uneasiness, in some esses positive distress. ' Owing to the pfesent distress, a solemn obligation rests on the strong to help the weak, on the rich to care for the poor, on those out of debt to help others out. In this city and other cities, in each ecclesiastical organization, a common cause ought to be made, and vfith real, earnest, Christian fraternity, the free should remember those in bonds, and deliver them. It is of no use to say they ought to have known better than to go into debt; it was foolish, mad, wrong: let them get out the best way they can. Such language is intensely unchristian And selfish. It is a common cause. There are no superfluous churches among us, and often those most. in debt, and struggling in the deepest waters, are the most important. They must be sustained, and the more wealthy and unincumbered must take them by the hand and help them now. We say must, because there is no time for debate. The crisis has come, and must be met. And the weak must help themselves. To the extent of their ability, and by. making positive sacrifice so as io feel it, by hard self-denial such as takes hold op the soul, the members of each church in debt must meet the fearful emergency. It is the cause of Christ and of souls. If the church was needed, and God’s people have put their hands to its building, they must not look back. It is too late to repent. Let him that has given fifty, sit down quickly and write four-score, and so on up to tens of thousands. Every ecclesiastical body in the land ought to make a grand union movement to extinguish the debts of all its churches. Ana it would be well to mkke a church law by which no debts should be allowed hereafter.— N. Y. Observer.