The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-11-15
Concerning Contribution Boxes.

TO the Editors Of the intelligence. ....
It seems 10 mo q strange and wonderful
fact that nearly oil Of our churches have
fallen into the singular, not 10 say indel.
icate act or custom Of passing around the
contribution box among the congregation
either at the commencement, middle OF
close Of the service, and this has beer
the weekly custom from time imme-
mortal. II Is decidedly unpleasant and dis.
agreeable for those people Of refined
tastes and sensibilities 10 be Obliged Ia
contribute their mite for the benefit Of
the church in such o public manner as
they now are compelled TO do at the pres.
ent time where the contribution box 10
brought into play; and 10 feel that there
are many curious and scrutini7ing eyes
watching with eager curiosity to see how
much they are desirous Of contributing,
and II the amount they wish 10 contribute
either from pecuniary difficulties or 9th
erwise Is necessarily small. Then how
much more embarrassing 1t 10 for them to
feel that perhaps hundred cold and su-
percillous glances are directed 10.
wards them to watch and Oh.
serve their movements Many peo.
pie before now have been known
to remain al home instead of attending
church, because they did not have any
money II was possible for them to spare
at that time for the purpose Of enriching
the contribution box, and also Tor fear
their friends, who, not knowing the pc.
culiar and special circumstances Of the
case, might attribute their necessary
omission from not contributing to the wei.
fare or prosperity Of the church, as It 10
called. to the most penurlous and sordid
motives, and consequently ridicule them
behind their back, Il not TO their face, for
their parsimonious and niggardly stingi.
ness. while very likely, in times gone by,
those same people, who are now called so
8tIngy, have rendered more substantial
and material aid to the church than those
persons ever dreamed Of doing that now
so cruelty denounce them as misers. It
Is considerable Of u tax and trouble on
body's mind to have TO be particular to
think and save out few pennies during
the week 10 carry with them TO church
on the Sabbath day; and II by some un.
lucky chance person should not happen
TO have any money In his or her pocket.
book, what can be more annoying or dW.
gushing to them than It Is TO have a con.
tributiOn box poked under their nose Of
course the church has got to be supported
by somebody and In some manner, but
think some other method can be easily
devised that would do equally as we'll, Il
not better, than taking upa collection for
that purpose. I think It would be an ex.
cellent idea 10 have boxes constructed
somewhat similar to those used in post.
offices to deposit letters in, and placed on
the inside ol every church door In the
land, with an opening or aperture on
tho outside sufficiently large enough for
funds TO be deposited. II some such way
as this would only be adopted, l haven't
the least doubt but what more money
would make its appearance IN favor and
for the benefit Of the different church So
cietics than they now obtain by the old
way OF taking up collections. People
could then contribute whenever passing
by just as lille or just as much as they ieel
able to give, and no one but thtmB slves
need be the wiser for 1t. And whenever
they wish to attend church, no matter
what denomination 1t may be, they can
go with the fall expectation OF listening
TO good and instructive sermon without
any fear Of the contribution 6or being
thrust into their faces. EXCELSIOR.