Southern Baptist Missionary Journal, March 1848

SOUTHERN BAPTIST MISSIONARY JOURNAL. VOL. II. MARCH, 1848. . NO. 10. • SELF-TAXATION. The following from the American Messenger, corresponds with our views of what would he suitable, as a plan for the assignment of a proper portion of available funds lo benevolent objects. This plan is commended to the attention of our readers. If not the best, it will be belter than no plan. If it should be adopted, it would bring into the treasury of all our benevolent societies an abundant supply of means. Christians believe, and they often say, that their all belongs to Christ. Why, then, is so small a portion of their property given to promote their. Redeemer’s cause? The poor are “always" with us; the poor in this world’s riches, and the poor in spiritual things. Many, not only feel the impulses of a generous and renovated heart; they wish also to honor Christ. Still, they do comparatively little. Why is this? Not to mention other reasons, a leading cause of serious deficiency and delinquency is, a want of system in taxing our incomes ; a want that, in many cases, is even a sad proof that religion is profession, not principle. Few Christians, at least in the United States, are long destitute of a stated and regular employment, from which money is derived; and this money comes into their hands at certain periods, more or less regular. Let such try the following, or some better plan of self-taxation. Let them, when one or more dollars of their own money' comes first into their hands, instantly deduct the discount and lay it immediately away in a box, or a drawer, or a purse. If the believer be a very poor man, let him tax the dollar one fourth, or even one eighth of a cent ; if less indigent, let him begin with a tax of half a cent, or one cent. Should he be somewhat Temoved from poverty, let him try two or three cents ; and should he be in easy circumstances, or affluent, let him try from five to fifteen cents on the dollar. Many advantages would arise from some such a scheme: L The tax would be proportioned to the daily, weekly, monthly, or annual sums that came into our hands. If but one dollar came, that dollar only would pay tax— it is all we vowed. God, in his providence, gave no more. We give “ as we are prospered.” 2. Whatever we gave at any time, from our consecrated store, would be “not grudgingly;’’ it would be what. God delights in, the gift of a “cheer¬ ful giver.” Persons who have a treasury of this sort in the house, become