Litchfield enquirer., 1843-02-09
BY REQUEST
HOW TO PAY CHURCH DEBTS.


The church with which am connected a,
a pastor, in erecting the building in which
they worship, contracted a debt Of about
$1,000. 1t was held hy seven or eight Judi.
viduals in the congregation. Many had long
used ii as very convenient excuse for moi
giving much to benevolent objects: and all
ielt it to he d real burden. Yet no efforts had
been made for several years to pay any
part oft, either principal or interest.
Within two or three months past the church
has been reused to greater activity and faith
tullness and enjoyed a larger share than
usual of the influences of the divine Spirit.
Numbers have been awakened, and hope
fully converted. In the midst Of this delight
full work, missionary, who had returned
for a season, in ill health, from foreign
field, visited US and told US what his own
eyes has seen of the perishing condition Of
the heather, and of the openings which God,
in his Providence, is making, for Christians
to send hem the only remedy-the Gospel
of the risen Saviour. His statements and ap.
peals deeply affected our hearts. He had
| scarcely left Us, when We were visited by an
Agent Of the American Board Of Foreign
Missions, who by their lucid, able and warm
addresses on the subject, deepen.d inc good
impression, and greatly a''',anced an effort
which had been previously commenced by
us. to raise sufficient funds to supper, mis-.
s'onary II '14e foreign field.
g.. AZ .-ngth, on the night Of a communion
'.abath, after we had received number Of
persons into the church, and had set down
| again at the table of Him who died for lost
men in heather as we'll as in Christian lands,
and at the close ola very solemn meeting
an elder who was one OF the largest holders
of the debts against the church, arose, and
with full heart. begged leave to address the
meeting. He stated, as we'll as his emotions
ton had been long felt to be embarrassing,
and had been urged by some, as reason,
for not contributing more liberality to benev-
olent objects. He was exceedingly DESTROYS
| to have it removed. And in view Of what
they had recently heard, and ofthe renewed
dedication, which they had that day made Of
themselves to God, he felt it to be his duty
and privilege, to relinquish the whole of his
claim against the church which he thereby
did, most cheerfully. delightfully."-, and for
ever.
We were all taken by surprise. and melted
into tears. Another elder instantly rose and
said., have long felt that the silver and
the gold are the Lords, and have consecra-
ted all my earthly property to his service
have this day renewed the dedication. l
know not the amount of that brothers claim
against the church; but, whatever it be, Just
as much as he relinquishes, so much do Ipay
towards extinguishiDg the remainder Of the
debt"
Another large creditor, and member of the
church, then rose, and most cheerfully and
Internationally relinquished the whole of
his claim.
The next day, all the other creditors but
one, relinquished half OF their claims, which
| amount has since been subscribed by other
members Of the congregation so that now
they are out of debt. We have also got
enough subscribed annually, to warrant US
in engaging to sustain missionary in the
foreign field. And all this has been done in
the midst of a season of refreshing from the
presence of the Lord yet so far from i'm
pedinE the good work, it has evidently help.
ed it forward. Others have heard of these
lovely fruits of religion among US, have
| come into our meetings, and have there, we
trust, repented of their sins, and embraced
the Saviour. Sure am, that there never
was so delightful spirit amongst US as at
the present moment.
And now, permit me to say TO other church.
es that are in debt would you brethren,
pay your debts at once, in an easy, pleasant
and profitable manner Then enlarge your
hearts. Make dying world the object of
your compassionate regard, and benevolent
effort. Increase your information concern.
ing the dcplorable condition of the poor be-
nighted heather, or the destitute in our own
land. Let your sympathies flow out for them
Offer up unceasng prayer on their behalf
And above all, open wide your purses, and
contribute literally and checrfuIIv toward
sending them the word of life Do this at
once, and continue to do il, and your debts
will speedily vanish.-Pastor's Journal.
THE YANKEE IN A QUANDARY.-We heard
an anecdote q few days since when visiting
in the country, which struck US at the time
rs remarkably funny" The relator. a
hearty, hale old Dutchman, was not possess
sed of the most extended vocabulary of Eng
lish words, and the conversation happening
to turn on language, and the ridiculous an.
pearance made by two persons each talking
in his own tongue, and neither understand.
ing the other, he gave the following incident
as illustrative of the ludicrous mistakes of.
ten made under those circumstances, A
Yankee from down East, having "detarmine,!
to try his fortin in York state" found himself
one sunny day in Dutch neighborhood
and wearied with his travel, as the sun WAX.
. ed towards the meridian he waxed hungry
So entering one of the broad Dutch "stoops -
where sat rosy, round faced matron, he
soon succeeded in making known the condi.
tion of his stomach. The matron responded
with good natured hospitable SMILE "yaw
f yaw," and proceeded forthwith to make the
necessary arrangements. But now came
the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. TO crafty her guests
taste, she endeavored to discover if he had
anv preference for particular diShes hut &c