This is the first in a series or articles that deals with the drive, or passionate frenzy in some cases, for entertainment in the church. Some will have a problem with these articles. For those who find these writings to be disturbing and/or repugnant, it is suggested that they go to Carradine's grave sight and take it up with him. In such a case, I can assure you that silence is all you will be met with. For those who are challenged by this and feel a desire to rise to greater heights in spiritual growth, then bless and praise God. (ed.)

My first objection is that 'church' entertainment precipitates into the church that most agitating and disturbing of all things — moneymaking. God has asked the church to do a great many things for Him, but here is one I am devoutfully thankful He has never required of her. He has commanded us to visit the sick, relieve the poor, remember the stranger, go to the prisoner, clothe the naked, preach the gospel — but never has He imposed upon us the duty of making money for Him. The briefest thought upon this point would convince us of the utter unlikelihood of such a command or requisition.

There is nothing more agitating than moneymaking. The rush, the confusion and bickering that we see on our streets, in our stores and market places, is the result of the struggle after money. The cause of almost all the litigation in the courts is found to proceed from this disturbing fact of moneymaking or money losing. Does any one in his senses believe that God, in full recognition of this fact, would project into His church the same prolific cause of disturbance and distraction? Would He permit, much less authorize, proceedings that would divert the mind and the gaze of the people from his Son? Would He engage them in business-like proceedings that absorb attention, consume energy and time, to the forgetfulness of the one great work that the church is called to do? Does God want the carnal clamor, confusion, excitement and pandemonium within the church that we have beheld in the stock exchange and within businesses in our cities?

Who has not beheld transactions in the church that have approximated these scenes of commercial excitement?

Let any one look at the commotion, watch the bartering, mark the business driving, and then ask his soul if he believes that God would be the author of such proceedings.

Again, I discover in the Scriptures constant warnings against the love of money. It is the root, God says, of all evil. Can I believe that He, with the knowledge of its subtle and powerful influence upon the heart, would project into His church a method calculated to excite the very evil and awaken the very passion He would destroy? One of the great efforts of the Holy Spirit is to wrest men from their business life and undertakings, to bring their thoughts from trade and traffic while they gather with fellow believers all over the land. Will He contradict himself here? Is God inconsistent? Certainly He would be if He placed before me, in the church, practices and methods that brought me back by association at once into the whirl and rush of the moneymaking life that I thought I had left in the world outside. That world should not follow me across the threshold into the fellowship with other believers, whether that threshold is a home or an institutional organization with a building.

Certainly there is no greater delusion, on the part of the church today, than this idea that God expects it to make money for Him. God would not thus defeat His own plan and bring to naught the one work of Zion. Individual members of the church are expected to make money in their secular callings and pursuits; but the people as a church? Never!

The whole teaching of the scriptures, and the teaching of history as well, prove that if the church will see to the salvation of souls, all the money it needs will be forthcoming. I have never heard of nor read of an exception to this rule. It is a rule, and a divine one at that. Church pride will bring us into debt, but a people that will devote their whole energy to saving souls will not lack any good thing. Men will bring their money as of yore and lay it down 'at the apostles’ feet'. All that God asks of us is to bring souls to Him — and He will see to the money. The Bible teaches that no man goes to war at his own expense. God sees to the expenses if we are really in the war. He does not furnish money for spiritual picnicking and dress-parades, but for real gospel warfare with the world and the devil. Let the church see to the salvation of the people and God will see to the money.

We have confirmation of this fact in individuals and churches. I have seen an example traveling all over the country of a prominent preacher lecturing in behalf of his church. He is fairly wearing himself out, and yet, in spite of it all, he doesn’t seem able to raise funds sufficient to meet his contract obligations. The papers spoke the other day of some litigation in regard to the unfinished building. If, instead of flying all over the country, this ministerial lecturer would remain with the people he serves as overseer, comforting, visiting, praying with, and leading souls to Christ, God would touch the heart of some millionaire and give him all the money he needs. But no, he thinks God expects the church and preacher to make money, and away he goes on his eccentric course.

Across the water we have a marvelous contrast. A man that stays by his work, and calls on God for help and the help comes, and has come, and will continue to come. He is working to save, and God has sent him money enough to build twelve asylums and feed thousands of children. The same fact is repeated in the case of General Booth; he is saving — and God is sending him the money.

I have seen the same fact illustrated in churches. I recall a congregation that is forever providing 'church' entertainment, and it is never out of debt. I recall another religious gathering, where the one purpose, desire and labor is to save souls, and where one day there was a quiet call on the people for a considerable amount of money. The scene that followed defies description. The people arose and came down like a tide to the table where they were requested to place their offerings. With songs and shouts and shining faces they poured forward and gave until the table was piled up with money and it began to roll off on the floor. The amount called for was raised — and there was left over a thousand dollars, which was given to the cause of foreign missions.

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