Should the Church Teach Tithing?
A Theologian’s Conclusions about a Taboo Doctrine
Russell Earl Kelly, PHD
www.tithing-russkelly.com
RHODE ISLAND BAPTIST FOUNDERS
DID NOT TEACH TITHING
FROM 21TNT.COM
AN INDEPENDENT BAPTIST WEB MAGAZINE
MORGAN EDWARDS ON THE WEB
MATERIALS TOWARDS A HISTORY OF BABPTISTS IN RHODE ISLAND
COLLECTION OF THE MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
OF THE 4TH SERIES
BOSTON, MA/CROSBY NICHOLS AND CO. 1854
Quotations excerpted by Russell Earl Kelly, PH. D.
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island church.
Founded 1638 by Roger Williams.
For years they met outside.
By 177l the lot was 112 by 77 and the building was 41 by 35, “partly the gift of Rev. Pardon Tillinghast and partly the purchase of the congregation.” “No estate belongs to it, for which reason the salary of the minister (Rev. James Manning) is reputed no more than 50 £ a year.”
“[4th Notable Event in 133 years.] The ministry of this church has been a very expensive one to the ministers themselves and a very cheap one to the church. Their first meeting-house was built for them by Mr. Tillinghast; neither did he nor any of his predecessors, nor any that came after (till of late) take any wages; they being men of property, and deeming it more blessed to give than to receive. Nor did they thereby sin against that ordinance of their Master, (1 Cor. ix, 14), for Paul at Corinth suspended his right to a livelihood of the gospel.”
“Successor of this set of ministers was the Rev. Samuel Winsor [1677-1758], a man remarkable for preaching against paying ministers, and for refusing invitations to Sunday dinners for fear they should be considerations for Sunday sermons.”
NEWPORT
Constituted in 1644. The building was built in 1738. “Its dimensions are 40 feet by 30. The lot on which it stands is 73 feet by 64, the gift of Messrs. Colonels Hezekiah Carpenter and Josias Lyndon.”
“The temporalities of the church are, [1.] Hundred and fifty pounds, the gift of John Homles.. [2.] A farm of 166 acres (with house and out-houses thereon, now rented out for 50__.), the gift of Rev. John Clark. The issues and profits were chiefly intended for the minister, though not so expressed in the will for a reason which Mr. Clark communicated to particular friends. [3.] A garden in town, the gift of said Mr. Clark. [4]
With these helps, and the rates of the pews, the living is reputed worth 90__. a year to the present minister, Rev. Erasmus Kelley.”
NEWPORT-2ND CHURCH
Lot 100 by 100; building 76 by 52.
“The temporalities of this church are: [1]. 37£ 10s., the gift of Daniel Sanford, (O.T. 1000£). [2]. 11£ 3s., (O.T. 300£), the gift of Joseph Sanford. [3]. 28£ 4s. (O.T. 750£), the gift of the same person, for the use of the poor. With the above helps and perquisites, the living is reputed worth 100£ a year to the present minister, Rev. Gardner Thurston.”
NEWPORT-3RD CHURCH
Erected 1780.Lot 85 by 40; building 36 by ??.
“Purchased by the congregation20. The temporalities are, [1]. A dwelling-house, let for 10 10s. a year, the gift partly of the honorable Richard Ward, partly of Capt. Joshua Saunders, partly of Sarah Arnold. [2]. Six pounds 3s. The gift of Joseph Sanford. With these helps and perquisites the living is reputed worth 40__ a year to the present minister, Rev. John Maxson.”
WARREN
“Erected 1763; lot 50 rods square; building 52 by 44 feet. Purchased by congregation. On the same lot is a handsome parsonage house, valued at 14£ a year, which is all the estate belonging to the church. The living included this is reputed worth 74£ to the present minister, Rev. Charles Thompson.”
GREENWICH
Erected 1729; lot 30 rods by 5; building 30 by 30 ft, the gift of Clement Weaver. “No estate belongs to this church; nor any fixed salary for the minister, though they could easily raise him 40£ a year.”
CRANSTON
Temporalities they have not; nor any fixed salary for their minister, but are able to raise him about 30£ if they were willing.
