In all these entertainments, the true mission of the church is never forgotten—­that mission which its pastor so earnestly and often says is “not to entertain people.  The church’s only thought should be to turn the hearts of men to God.”

CHAPTER XXIV

THE BUSINESS SIDE

How the Finances are Managed.  The Work of the Deacons.  The Duties of the Trustees.

“The plain facts of life must be recognized,” says Dr. Conwell.  The business affairs of Grace Baptist Church are plain facts and big ones.  There is no evading them.  The membership is more than three thousand.  A constant stream of money from the rental of seats, from voluntary offerings, from entertainments, is pouring in, and as quickly going out for expenses and charitable purposes.  It must all be looked after.  A record of the membership must be kept, changes of address made—­and this is no light matter—­the members themselves kept in touch with.  It all means work of a practical business nature and to get the best results at least expenditure of time and money, it must all be done in skilled, experienced fashion.  Dr. Conwell, in speaking of the careful way in which the business affairs of the church are conducted, says: 

“What has contributed most as the means used of God to bring Grace Church up to its efficiency?  I answer it was the inspired, sanctified, common sense of enterprising, careful business men.  The disciplined judgment, the knowledge of men, the forethought and skill of these workers who were educated at the school of practical business life, helped most.  The Trustees and working committees in all our undertakings, whether for Church, Hospital, College, or Missions, have been, providentially, men of thorough business training, who used their experience and skill for the church with even greater care and perseverance than they would have done in their own affairs.

“When they wanted lumber, they knew where to purchase it, and how to obtain discounts.  When they needed money, they knew where the money was, and what securities were good in the market.  They saved by discounting their own bills, and kindly insisted that contractors and laborers should earn fairly the money they received.  They foresaw the financial needs and always insisted on securing the money in full time to meet demands.

“Some men make religion so dreamy, so unreal, so unnatural, that the more they believe in it the less practical they become.  They expect ravens to feed them, the cruse of oil to be inexhaustible, and the fish to come to the right side of the ship at breakfast time.  They trust in God and loaf about.  They would conduct mundane affairs as though men were angels and church business a series of miracles.  But the successful church worker is one who recognizes the plain facts of life, and their relation to heavenly things; who is neither profane nor crazy, who feels that his experience and judgment are gifts of God to be used, but who also fully realizes that, after all, unless God lives in the house, they labor in vain who build it.