The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1878-03-07
RaisInp n Church Debt,

Uutblub u Oh"aS" DO""
Not long ago brother Kimball found
a small church In central Iowa that was
staggering along under a comfortable
debt, and II looked 10 him as Though 1t
would Just be recreation for him to lifts
little country church out OF the depths
after his experience and success with tine
big churches in the great cities with
their overwhelming indebtedness. So
he tackled the quiet little rustic Eben-
eyer and shook it out Of all the debt he
knew of in about ten hours, and the
building was clear of encumbrance.
Then, before the benetiction was pro.
nounced, the senior deacon arose and
stated that there had never been but one
payment made on the organ, and that
the accrued interest on the deferred pay
ments now amounted TO about double
the principal.
Well, they raised this amount and
Brother Kimball was on the point OF
picking up his hat when the sexton rose
and remarked that the man was around
last week, and said if the furnace wasn't
paid for, the notes having u a year
over their time, he would take 1t out
before next Sunday.
Mr.. Kimball laid down his hat, took
off his coat, and the furnace debt was
lifted.
He got one arm into his coat sleeve,
and nodded 10 the pastor to dismiss the
congregation, when the president of the
Woman's aid society said she wished TO
remark that the society had been unable
to fulfill their pledge to pay for the pew
cushions, and the upholsterer had, seve.
raj times during the past year, served
notice on them, and che believed suit
would be commenced next week.
Brother Kimball %groaned, slid his arm
out OF the coat sleeve, headed the sub
scription in his usual generous n
and 1901 cleared the cushions, throwing
his coat over his arm and starting for the
door on the run as soon as this was ac-
cOmplished.
But the chorister called out that he
would like their dear brother Kimball to
remain and assist them in an effort to pay
for the hymn books and also for having
the organ tuned. The "dear brother"
groaned, stopped and assisted.
Once mere he started for the door.
But Deacon Ophiltree said he believed
while they were trying to clear off the
church debt, it would be well for them to
remember that the sexton had not been
paid anything since 1874, and that
the interest was running up on his
back pay ali the time. So Mr..
Kimbail halted once more, and
struggled along until the sexton was
made happy
Then no got to the door but some one
had locked it, and while he was hunting
for the key a good sister rose and stated
that the baptismal robes had never been
paid for, and the woman who made them
wanted her money. Inquiry on this
subject revealed the startling fact that
the robes had all been loaned to neigh
boring churches and lost, long ago, but
they had to be paid for, all the same.
The money was raised, and Mr.. Kim
ball was trying to climb out of a window
wien he was pulled back and informed
that there was an old tax title on the lot
when they bought it--that it had never
been cleared off.
MIR. Kimball got this little flaw cleared
up with neatness and despatch, and was
running briskly down the aisle when he
waa collared by n trustee and informed
that the man who grained the pulpit
and kalsomined the ceiling last winter
was there and wanted his money.
He was paid, and good brother Kim>
ball was half way cut of the door before
he learned that the chandelier must be
paid for that week or they would ait in
outer darkness Sunday night. So he
went back and frightened up the chande.
lier.
He ran out so quickly then that he
didn't hear the man who repaired the
front fence present his bill, but while he
was walking down to the depot with the
senior deacon that official suddenly
halted, while a look of grave concern
o%verspread his face.
"Well, well, WE'LL" he said, "if that
isn't too bad"
What is it" ~nervously inquired
Brtoher Kimball.
Why" responded the deacon dole
fully, " we forgot all about the pastors
salary he only gets 800 a year, and we
amt paid him nothing but two dona.
ton parties since a year and a half ago."
And when Brother Kimball climbed
on the train he resolved that the next
time he tackled a strange church he
would demand a certified statement be-
fore he took off his coat.