The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-30
CHURCH DEBT RAISING.
What MIR. Kirball Says Of
His Opera tons.
WHO PAYS HIS OWy SUBSCRIPTIONS.
Dr. Robinson's Vlews-Debt Paving .
Natural Sensation.

There seems to be much curiosity among those who
have heard OF Mr Kimba's success In raising enor
nous church debts 10 learn where the large sums o
money come rom which are pledged IN his namc
Tho fact Las been published that tho gentleman is en-
ployed as travelling agent by Chicago house and
that In his business capacity no receives compare.
lively small salary, much small to enable him 10
give thousands OF dollars TO every church 10 which he
abors. Under the circumstances rumor has been busy
OF atc IN assigning tnesourco Of his apparent wealth.
report TO the effect that Mr. Kimbalrs pledges we're
all redeemed by lady OF great wealth and liberia
spirit IN church work found way into OF ths
leading religious week.-Mrs. ana has since been widely
repeated Another paper claimed that the subscrip.
tons IN question were made merely 10 encourage
emulation, ana that no provision had boon mndo for
their payment Indeed, there is hardly rny limit Il
the number OF ingenious eucsses made without any
knowledge o. The facts and published as positive
truth To clear away all doubts and set the question
finally At rest HERALD reporter called upon Mr.
Klmbali last evening, at the Aston House, where hs
has been staying Tor tho past TOW weeks.
WHAT MR.. KinBALL SAYS.
Tho reporter state the object OF his viy;t and
opened The interview by some general remarks Mr.
Kimbai's work ana the adverse criticism which u has
called FORTH He then alluded TO tho theories about
his personal subscriptions ana asked which was tho
correct one, u any.
q
single word OF Truth ia any that nave heard about
RgroRrKR--Dr. Robinson says that in his church
your subscriptions were backed by him and that he
had gwen MIS- note for tue fun amount. His belief Is
that your hackers are In each case wealthy members
Ot the congregation, who authorize you subscribe
certain amount TO be paid by them Is be rights
Mr.. KMnALL-Wuh regard to his own church, yes
with regard TO others, no; Or at all events, only
tally SO That is, my pledges are made upon differ
ent security IN almost every case rho wealth,
LADY, theory, which appeared In the CArisia,, q
All n
hood the article Ii was invented by tho editor.
VINO acknowledged il to me- In Frank L>si,e's there
was n statement 10 the effect that my subs;rip.
in tho hope that means would eventually
be found for tneir pay Hent That Tho
truth 81 them all would not have the insncerity
would The OF church allow me, stand up
swindng. No, sir; every subscription that Is made
In my name IS made upon perfect security aud VIII
hold good when II comes TO be paid.
RsPoRrER-Havs you any objection TO telling what
your security generally isf
Mr.. kiMnALL-Yes, nave; shall never .oiL Asi
said before, II varies, according TO circumstance
what II - in each particular case refuse ~ tell
for tho reason that 1t is nobody's business. Ny
pledges are good are always paid Tint IL enough
Tor tho minister and that must satisfy tho public.
RErosTEE--Does tho minister always know upon
what security your Pledges arc nader
Mr.. kfMBALL-NO, not In every case Sometimes
not soul In the church besides myself has any idee
where the money oolncs FROM but IT'S right wnero
can put my hand upon II and It never fails.
now MR.. KIMDALL BEGAx.
RgpoRTER-wiii you tell me. Sir. Kimbnll, how yoa
Mr. KMBALL--it was IN this way. Abou, two years
ago thrown into personal relations with small
zeal work Tor some tmo Tho church had good build.
ing, but nothing else, not even pastor. went there
ana preached twice any mrs. there were no ser-
grcsation in the morning numbered only eighteen
or twenty souls soon q revival began, winch
has continued over since with prec results. The
congregation grew rapidly; cvcn,ng services were
| held. ana pastor secured remained year In
California, and again year ago aided in building up
| another church In tho Same way Before leaving
| san Francisco desired to do something for
those ,wo churches. They seemed 10 be we'll on n
everything cxGop; the burden OF debt l had NO
money 10 help them myrol but decided
nst use my personal influence and
| tncm TO pay on their indebtedness themselves.
| THO FIRST OF the two churcncs-lhat In which had
The pastor went away 90 not to witness failure,
and the trustees besought me not TO undertake the
raised debt OF 81 900 or 3d. 000 which had fof
| nno years. The following sunday did the sama 10
week wee again spoa. IN Tho Rev Dr. stones Con
grcgation church, burying debt OF $4,000 undou
subscr psons TO tho amount OF SIS 600 have ettcs
sill, which ailorward received from Dr. stone shank.
ing The help had rendered hun In tne hour OF
his need II is as strong letter Ms man ever wrote
10 man, yet n was DIR. stones brother who walked
out OF DR.. Scuddsr's church last Sunday, when my
| presence was announced. Seeing that l possessed
ability in tue work which had undertaken IL seemed
to me that II did not continue IL should have do.
liberatcy and Knowingly abandoned n sacred duty.
Tneretore, have persevcred, though tor long time
with tho greatest reluctance. l have boon 1t work
nov Tor ton months and VIII remain faithful ions
my services sro needed The Measurements and
neutrality-suspicious. by some newspapers and OF the
enemies OF The cause shall expect aud cannot AVOID
them and sh all not answer them have desr
not0riety, and wish that my name might have re-
NAMED unknown. have many applications from the
tho religious papers Tor articles my work, but
havo declined 10 write word. An illustrated papcs
even asked mo TO Nrtc sketch OF ny lie, 10 be puo
lishcd with my portrait
Mr. KimbaIl haa been busy all day long attending
10 his secular business and expressed wish repra
O
churcntio.day.
INTERVIEW WIN DR. noniysox.
Tho Rev. Dir. Charles $. Robinson, pastor OF the
Memorial Presbyterian Church, corner OF Madison
avenue and Filty-rhird street, In which Mr. Kimbai
began his work IN this CITY, said that his OPINION had
been expressed repeatedly and so fully IN public
that It was hardly necessary TO state again. HIS
twenty months ago tlOs, 900 more was paid VI this
latter amount Or. Robinson contributed $4,000
himself. IL took month or six weeks 10 raise
tho remainder Tho deot month ago was $ii0 0oo
now II is nothing Dr. Robinson sad that he did no,
believe u would nave been IN his power or that OF
incmoer Of nus congregation TO clear on tho las
$i0n0O0 by ordinary or extraordinary means Tn,
services Of Mr.. kimbaI we're secured, and tho wori
was accom- Pushed ia two weeks
When Ssked " he did not think the work OF money
raising was Dissertation OF Gods day and house, DIR
Robinson replied -"Certsiniy not. The 3bie tell
us that offerings were made on tho first day OF Oh,
week IL was The oid apostolic rule
pKHr.PAyI.0 SENSATIONAL
RgPoRrEH-Wcre not tho inesns employed rather
sensational
DR. KopissoS--Ycs to certain extent Tue mere
=
sensation. IL would be impossible TO raise 800 0oa
Ia short time without more or less excitement.
IL any ono supposes there Is general hankcring 10
pay church debts, or auy other KIND, he's much
taken. Unusual means have GOT to he resortcd TO-
Some skill has to DO exercised In getting the PEG
pie together without letting tbem know what be
done Tor they are generally shy OF meeting whore
big collection ~ to be taken up
HgrogrER-Do you not hinK that such an exciting
meeting IS apt TO have bad effect upon a congresa
ton7
Dr. RoBSsoS--On the contrary 1 never hold q
more deeply religious and spiritual service than
~ which Mr Kimosl began bls work. It's effect
believe to have been altogether good. For long
time tho newspapers and periodicals. have been
vestigstng tho financial condition OF the churches
ana making a great outcry at the immense debts by
which they arc burdoncd. Now gigantic and sue
cessful effort IS made got ri OF these debts
press is in arms al once TO condemn the means EN-.
pioysd
EgroRrEa-havo you any fear that tho subscti
will not he paId whom tho time comes
Dr. koBIysoS--Souc whatever. Two weeks ago
$50 900 81 the whole amount pledged had been put
form OF logtl promises 10 pay believe that by this
time no,os have been gwen for over 100000 Of tho
SlI2 600 pledged.
REronrsR--who is Responsible for tho $4,000 sub.
Rcrib he'd or Kimballl