“ADDRESS OF J. T. JOHNSON,
DEDICATED TO THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IN KENTUCKY.
Beloved Brethren:—
If the undersigned has any claims on your confidence and gratitude, you are entreated to read and consider what is herein presented with the design of advancing the cause in which we sire engaged, and for the success of which we have pledged our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. Be persuaded to read; and to read deliberately. Head, in order to a decision that shall stand the test of Him who is to judge the quick and dead. The subject now matured and presented for your adoption and active co-operation, has cost the writer much reflection and deliberation, and labor and painful anxiety; and it has been, and is yet, a burden upon his soul. You have it in your power to remove this burden by a practical exemplification of the system to which your attention is herein invited.
So far as known to me, there is no system of Finance, worthy the name, in any church in Christendom. This effort is designed to supply the deficiency. The Christian religion is the essence of benevolence, and the church, to say the least of it, is the most benevolent institution on earth. It is emphatically the Lord’s dispensation of benevolence; and it embraces all of God’s creation, with all its wants.
If we would have an individual, a family, or nation, to exhibit gigantic power, they must have an efficient, energetic, ever-active system of finance. They are weak, inefficient, and powerless without it.
The deplorable condition of the church, and of religion in general, and especially the awful condition of the heathen and infidel world, demand this effort. Under the present zigzag, oscillating, confused, uncertain, and unscriptural state of things, nothing can be accomplished answerable to the demands of the Lord, or worthy of his honor. We cannot have prompt decision and action. The crisis calls for it in a voice of thunder. Instead of finding a shelter from the storm, a retreat from persecution, a home for the wanderer, and relief from poverty and wretchedness in the Church of Christ, all these seek refuge in the so called benevolent societies of the day. The following plan is judged scriptural, and it would neutralize all such temptations:
It is believed that the church is composed of a community unsurpassed by any on earth; and that it is prepared to meet any exigency or call that may be made upon it, provided it is scriptural. If we desire that our children shall become valuable members of society, they must be kept actively engaged in business, and made to feel that society is partly dependent upon them for all that is good and great. If we desire, then, to be benevolent, without extravagance, a continual draft must be made upon their benevolence according to system.
If we would prevent apostasy, they must be made happy and delightfully engaged at home in all kind and good offices; and they must be made to feel their importance. So of the Church of Christ. The Christian philosophy demands the discipline and active co-operation of every soldier of the Cross, old and young, male and female, as the Lord has prospered and blessed each one with the means.
The following system or plan is presented for adoption by all the churches; and it is deemed to be scriptural—Because, 1st It is weekly, 1 Cor. xvi, 1, 2. 2d. Because it is voluntary. 3d. Because it is as the Lord has enabled each one. And 4th. Because it includes all the Disciples.
It will be perceived that the contribution censes in cases of death, removal, or inability; and that it maybe increased or diminished, as the circumstances of the party may justify.
Here we have system—flowing on in an unruffled, overpowering, and constant current of benevolence, commanding the admiration and commendation of the world.
To consummate the work, the action of the church is indispensable. It seems to be expedient to adopt the following plan:—
A Scriptural System of Finance for the Churches of Christ in Kentucky.
The Church of Christ at , impressed with the importance of adopting and
practicing a scriptural system of finance, with the design of sustaining—1st. The Pastorship of the church, with the expenses incident to the worship. 2d. The relief of the poor and needy, the sick and afflicted, the widow and orphan. And 3d. The. proclamation of the gospel in destitute parts at home and abroad, and the dissemination of the scriptures all over the world; has resolved to attend to the weekly contribution as the Lord has prospered and enabled the individual members, male and female, old and young. And in order to the accomplishing an object so ardently desired and so infinitely important, it has been considered expedient to adopt a classification system, rating from 5 cents per week to 50 cents, or 100 cents, as the case may be. Thus, 1st. Class, 5 cents; 2d. Class, 10 cents; 3d. Class, 15 cents.
For convenience sake the names may be obtained in an alphabetical form, and the amount they can afford to contribute may be placed in a column opposite their names. These names and amounts may be transferred to a book comprising the Classes. For example:
1st. class, 5 c. per week. 2d. class, 10 c. per week. week
A. B. daughter, 5 C. B., mother, 10
B. C, do. 5 A. C, do. 10
C. D, do. 5 A. D, do. 10
A. E., son, 5 C. E , daughter, 10
B. F., widower, 5 C. F., widow, 10
(.(. ‘)’) (.(. 5 (.(. ‘)’) (.(. 10
5 10
The above is a specimen of the Record Book of the Church, to be preserved sacred by the Clerk. To perfect and carry into execution the above, the church can appoint—
1. A committee of three or seven members, of experience, to superintend and put in execution the system adopted, and to disburse the funds.
2. A committee of three or seven female members, of experience, to superintend and relieve the necessities of the female department.
3. The Clerk to act as Treasurer; whose duty it shall be to furnish each class with a list of their names, and receive and receipt for the contributions when paid.
4. Each class shall select its own receiver or receivers, collector or collectors, who shall receive the contributions and pay the same weekly as they are paid to the Treasurer.
5. The Committees, Clerk, and Receivers shall make a quarterly written Report to the church.
6. One tenth (or more, as the case may be) of the contributions shall be reserved for the poor, the widow and orphan, or disabled preacher.
7. One tenth (or more, as the case may be) shall be expended in the proclamation of the gospel in destitute parts, at home and abroad; and in the dissemination of the scriptures.
All cases of expenditure are to be examined narrowly, to prevent imposition.
J. T. JOHNSON, Elder and Evangelist, in the Church of Christ at Georgetown, Ky.