Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1863-06-11

TAKrEe UP A CoLLEcLIoE.--Are rever-
end gentleman in Missouri relates the
following anecdote:
The life OF preacher in . new coun-
try. from peculiar point of view, is
hardly as smooth and free from diff.
Guilty as position in more cultivated
and populous communities usually sp-
pears TO be. The people are tbinly
scattered here and there engaged in
different pursuits. though chiefly agri-
cultural. Being collected from all parts
Of the older States. and gathered from
every class Of society, they meet upon
the same common ground, upon terms
of easy familiarity, and restrained by
no irksome conventionalities. People
in new country generally have pret.
ty hard time OF it. They live sort Of
rough and tumble life, wearing out
their best efforts in struggle for ex-
istence. Under these circumstances,
the material sometimes absorbs COM
pletely the spiritual; and the people not
unfrequently get SO far behind with
the preacher they have to be power
fully stirred up from the pulpit.
On one occasion, we had visit from
the presiding elder Of our district at
one of our quarterly meetings. We
had not paid our preacher mary dime
as the boys say. and we expected q
securing from the elder.
Well, we were not Disappointed
He preached us a moving discourse
from the text, owe NO Man ANYTHING.
At the close Of the sermon, he came
at once to the subject in hand.
Brethren said be. have you paid
Brother anything this year?-
Nothing at all, understand. Well,
now, your preacher can't live on air,
and you must pay up-pay up, that's
the idea. He needs twenty-five dol.
lars now, and must have III Steward,
we will take up 8 collection now
Here some Of the audience near the
door began to slide out.
Don't runi don't rum exclaimed
the elder. Steward lock that door.
and fetch me the keyP be continued,
coming down out Of the pulpit, and ta-
king bis seat by the stand table in
front.
The Steward locked the door and
then deposited the key on the table by
the side of the elder.
Now Steward said he, go round
with the hat. l must have twenty-five
dollars out OF this crowd, before enc
of you shall leave this ROOM
Here was '6x.' The congregation
were taken aback. The old folks
looked astonished; the young folks tit
tered. The Steward gravely pro-
ceeded in the discharge Of his official
duties.
The hat was passed around, and at
length deposited on the elders table,
The elder poured the funds on the ta-
bic, and counted the amount.
Three dollars and half! A slow
start, brethrenl Go round again,
Steward. We must pull up a heap
stronger than that!'
Around went the Steward with his
hat again, and finally pulled up at the
elders stand. >
Nine dollars and three quarters
not enough yet. Go round again,
Steward
Around goes the Steward the third
time.
Twelve dollars and half! Mighty
slow. brethren! 'Fraid your dinners
will all get cold before you get home
10 eat tbeml Go round again Stew.
ard!'
By this time the audience began TO
be idgety. They evidently thought
he joke was getting to be serious.--
But the elder was relentless. Again
and again circulated the indefatigable
iat. and slowly and surely, the pile on
he table swelled toward the requisite
amount!
'Twenty-four dollars and a half!--
Only lack half a dollar. Go round
,gain Steward
Just then there was tap on the
window from the outside; hand was ,
hrust in holding a half dollar be. !
ween the thumb and finger, and
'oung felier outside exclaimed.
Here Parson, here's your money
Let my gal out o'there! I'm tired of
Taitin' for her,
1t was the last hair that broke the
amePs back and the preacher could
xclaim. in the language Of Ike Tur-
lie. This ERE meeting done bust up