Can The Church Buy Property, And Provide A Home For The Homeless'
In the "Radio Sermons on Orphan Homes," printed in "Childhaven News," written by Brother Bill L. Rogers, I read this:
"What kind of home shall we have? Shall we place the children in a private child caring institution? This is all right, because this is caring for the homeless — the very thing that God commanded. Can we place them in a private home and let the church pay the bill? Surely. God did not say do it this way, but he did say DO IT! This is simply a matter of expediency in carrying out that which is commanded. Can the church buy property, build a house, secure the needed equipment, select someone to see after them and supply their needs? Yes, but when this is done they have an ORPHAN HOME!"
Is there any informed Christian, preacher or elder among us who would object to either arrangement that Brother Rogers has listed in the foregoing, IF HE REALLY MEANS THAT "THE CHURCH" does these things? But Brother Bill failed to list the very thing the whole controversy is about, namely: an organization composed of a board of trustees, president, vice president(s), secretary, treasurer, and superintendent, all selected by no one congregation, from among many congregations all over the country. Why did he not list the thing exactly as it is?
Who is "anti-orphan home," if the work is left as Brother Bill put it in the foregoing? Who is against caring for orphans, or the needy? Let Brother Rogers name ONE! I know this by experience: IT IS MUCH EASIER TO PUT A FEW DOLLARS (OR CENTS) INTO THE COLLECTION, AND LET THE CONGREGATION SEND IT, WITH ENOUGH TO MAKE ABOUT $25.00, FROM A BIG CHURCH, THAN TO TAKE A CHILD OR OTHER NEEDY PERSON INTO YOUR OWN HOME. Cheaper, TOO!