BAZAARS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 354, 9 May 1874, Page 3

BAZAARS.

As some of our correspen dents appear to be considerably exercised in regard to the proper conducting of bazaars, we extract the following article from the "Otago Christian Record," which may be taken as an authority in questions of the kind :—": — " 'Are bazaars a justifiable means of raising funds for Church purposes ?' is the subject of a recent article iv the ' Christian Review.' A great deal of money having been lately raised by bazaars in Dunedin, and in various parts of the Province, for Church erection and extention, it is important to inquire whether such means are consistent and ought to be encouraged by Christian people. There can be no doubt that were professing Christians and members of Chnrches what they really should be, there would be little need for any extraneous schemes to obtain funds to maintain or erect structures. But failing this and knowing that funds are necessary, is it justifiable to adopt other means to gain such end ? The writer of the above article says : ' We need not hold ourselves debarred from the adoption of measures which are not contrary to morality, nor likely to prove injurious to the church as a community, and legitimately conducted bazaars need not be among the category.' What the writer condemns in the present management of bazaars is raffles, lotteries, art unions, and the forwardness of young ladies forcing strangers to purchase their wares. There can be no doubt that the raffle proves the means of disposing of costly articles which it is difficult to sell ; and the name ' art union ' is said to lessen the objection frequently taken to the other name, which is but a synonym for gambling. If a thing is bad in itself, no gains would justify its adoption, even if it were used for Church purposes ; for we do not believe in the Jesuitical maxim that ' the end justifies the means,' or that we are to 1 clo ovil that g<Wl may enma-' W« dn_not say the Church shows any approbation of gambling— far from ifc — but young people in their judgment of such matters are not likely to see any difference of principle between raffling for a work-box at a Chnrch bazaar, and throwing the dice or having a game of whist for a five pound note. The question then arises, Are bazaars to be prohibited by the Church ? We do not see it. If persons choose to give a subscription in the shape of an article of value instead of money such offering may be as acceptable as any other ; but games of chance should be abolished in their management. We do not believe it is necessary for the success of a bazaar that these questionable proceedings should be adopted ; indeed we have known many most successful where they have not been used at all. The matter is of importance, as these means of raising money are being more than ever resorted to. and we do not desire to ace any action in the Christian community giving occasion to the world to "cast in its teeth that it endorses a practice which, if used for "other purposes, tend to the extension of a vice too common amongst us.