THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT 215 



are not needed, and localities where 



churches are needed left desolate because 

 the interests of the denomination are put 

 above those of the kingdom. The mis- 

 sionary treasuries are empty and disgrace- 

 fully in debt. I believe with proper 

 economy in the administration of foreign 

 and home work, without regard to denomin- 

 ation, there would be money enough. It is 

 not the hard times alone which have 

 emptied the treasuries ; it is the selfish way 

 in which great trusts are administered. 

 The disaster is not less because the selfish- 

 ness is not intentional. The trouble is 

 that beneath what we call principle, in 

 many instances, is far more of competition 

 than of the spirit of Christ. 



In this connection consider the debts of 

 the missionary societies as they were but a 

 few weeks ago. 1 The Congregational 

 Foreign Board, 8115,000 ; its Home Board, 

 177,000; the Methodist Board for Home 

 and Foreign Work, over 8209,000; the 

 Presbyterian Boards for Home and For- 

 eign Work, about $300,000; the Baptist 

 Board for Home Missions, 8190,000. 



1 These figures are taken from The Independent of 

 March 5, 1896. 



