The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-03-28
A Determined Beggar.

A Washington letter-writer fur
nishes the following:
Changing the subject from revolu-
tions to religious affairs, L have an
interesting occurrence at what is
called the Foundry Methodist
Church, in this city, some two weeks
since, which is worthy of recording.
The pastor of the church, Rev. Mr..
Moody, was connected with the army,
and at one time was stationed at
Nashville, Tennessee, and there be-
came intimately acquainted with AZ
drew johnson, when he was military
governor. Some two or three weeks
since, Mr.. Johnson went to the Foun-
dry Church, on the Sabbath morning,
to hear Mr.. Moody preach. After
the sermon was concluded, the re-
verend gentleman ordered oil the
doors closed, placed sentinels at each
entrance, and directed them not to
let any person pass out until he gave
them permission. Having arranged
this part of the programme, he turned
to the congregation and informed
them that the repairing and fitting up
that place of worship had cost the
church $1,000, and that the congre-
cation had to pay or subscribe that
amount before they could leave the
building. The plate was passed and
a large amount was received, but this
was q moderate sum compared with
the whole amount. The reverend gen.
tleman then made another appeal to
them, announcing, in the style of
Beecher, that they need not think
that they were going to get off that
easy-the amount had to be made up.
Paper and pencil were then passed
around for those present to subscribe,
the pastor all the time continuing his
appeals. AS these slips were passed
up to the pulpit, Mr.. Moody read off
the names and the amount each sub
scribed. These varied in amounts
from fifty up to fifteen hundred dol
lars. But when this was concluded,
there was still quite q sum lacking.
Another appeal was made, which
seemed to prove resistless. The plate
was again passed around, and it came
to President johnson; he took large
roll of bills out of his pocket, and,
without opening or looking at the
amount, placed it on the plate. AS it
was returned to the pulpit, the pas
tor announced that he would inform
them how much the President had
given, but Mr.. johnson interrupted
him, and protested against any such
announcement in any form, and Mr..
Moody yielded to his request. But
rumor, of course, is busy with its
stories as to the precise sum. It ap-
pears to be well-settled fact, that it
was not less than n thousand dollars,
while many declare that it was fifteen
hundred.
This last effort was successful in
raising the required sum. Mr.. Moody
then turned to the congregation and
Informed them, now that thev had
nearly removed the debt from the
church, they had got to give another
thousand dollars to make the Presi-
dent of the United States an honorary
member of the church. When they
had accomplished that, they might
go home. Another subscription was
taken up, and the amount raised.
There were several members of Con-
gress present, all of whom gave libe-
rally for this proposition, varying
from twenty five to one hundred dol
lars each. The President was then
declared an honorary member of the
ohnrch, and the church and the con-
g'eGasiou dismissed, having been de-
tanned there from eleven in the fore
noon to two in the afternoon under
this excitement and pressure.