The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-03-18
4 MUCH-NEEDED MIs>IoNtRr.
lie Dcvotes Hts Energies to Clearing or
Church Debts with Surprising Results.

Some time ago Chicagoan was converted
He was wealthy man. in business. The con
resolved 10 devote his HE cIsaring on Church
debts. The task was mighty one for church
without q debt is az rare rs one without
Hann Is Edward Klmhall. and h. has met
with marvellous success in his Undertaking.
Fran 'iseo. The plan which Mr.. Kimhall prne-
tir"s il this: Attending every church of any pro-
tension o. fashion Is a certain Proportion Of
sunday after sunday. with the aid II their
quart headed canes. walk M the centre aisle
profess ion of aileotion for the Lord. Mr. Kim
ball visits Those rirh sinners and after eNputi-
aiing az n the manner IN when the cause oi
r"hgi gu suffers ir n tie dead ming ELECTS ot
the d'lt which ur,sses upon the church sug-
costs that IL wou be- pious idea to do away
with the deit. The respectable person who at
tends ,hur d regularly aud has great respect
Tor religion, comedies. Then Alr. kimbnll asks
wh"rher the respectable party would give "A
thousand dollars II Zee could mat If with the
same sum- Rspe.tuhle party. b,ing cornercl
answers with forced che"rlulness and hope
anybody 10 shell ont that he viii when the
Imam 'ial missionary has dozen or 50 II these
promises down in black and white, he appears
some sabbath evening IN tho pulpit of the
church, and after an inpa-S oned but very gen
eral appeal directed al the hearts oi the wealthy
Nov brethren who among you is willing 10
CIV" "a thlnstud dollars toward paying on this
deltf GiVr freely pr do not give NJ an. Like
hoast TINT hoe never ask soldier 10 20 where
he would not 20 himself ask none Of you 70
give more thun do, II any BROTHER here will
promise n Thousand dollars | will soc that
hay" another good brother who will contrib
at. the same amount. II | do not fun my
promise, the brother who pledges himself here
il irsr.'
This sort Of thing excitos enthusiasm. There
Is q small chan % of ~ ape. and the thousand
dollar hr'tlr u come out in surprisingly large
numbers. Then klmhall comes down from his
high figures to hundred. fity. and twenty-five
dollar contributions, promising always to see
thu bets to speak in a carnal manner.
Mr.. kimhall has really done great service for
our churches. and the outcome Of his practical
Abors indicates that he has received call Ia
his work. Yesterday the Calvary Presbyterian
Church raised subscription Of f2s 5000 enough
u free II entirely from debt Last sunday. DR..
stones congregation contributed $5OOO0. and
during the week between $4,000 and $1,000
was subs ribbed. Yesterday the amount neces-
sary to clear OF the debt OF $4,000 was pro-
vidrd by generous members. Within the past
few weeks nearly, all the churches OF the city
have developed disposition 10 get out OF debt
40 doubt much t. the Joy Of their creditors.
The Lal KIN street Presbyterian Church, has
wiped ont all il owed some ti.sO0. The Hay ~
valley Pr"s.vi rian Church cleared off an in-
cuius Of S7Ulj. The Thru Congregations
Clur b freed itself Of a ong-standlug burden
Of $4,000, and under brother Kinbas in
nuenie It has actually come about that there re-
mains hut one cnurrh among the COngrega-
tionalists and Presbyterians that owes dollar