The Osceola times., 1878-03-02
Raising n Church Debt.

Not long ago brother Kimball found
a small church in central Iowa that was
staggering along under q comfortable
debt, and it looked to him a. Though 1t
would Just be recreation for him to lift
little country church out Of the depths
after his experience and success with the
big churches in the great cities with
their overwhelming indebtedness, SO
be tackled the quiet little rustic Eben-
ezer and shook II out Of all the debt he
knew of in about ten hours, and the
building was clear Of encumbrance.
Then, before the benediction 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 run year
over their time, he would take 1t out
before next Sunday.
Mr.. Kimball laid down his bat, took
of his coat, and the furnace debt was
lifted. .t...-. ...
He got one arm into his coat sleeve,
aud nodded To 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 manner
and soon cleared the cushions, throwing
his coat over his arm and starting for the
door on the run as soon rs this was ac-
complished.
But the chorister called out that he
would like their dear brother Kimball to
remain and assist them in an efIert to pay
for the hymn books and also for having
the organ tuned. The "dear brother "
grosned, stopped and assisted.
Once mere he started for the door.
But Deacon Ophiltree said he believed
while they were trying to clear eff the
church debt. it would be we'll 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 all the time. So Mr..
Kimball halted once more, and
struggled along until the sexton was
made happy
Then he got to the door but some one
had locked it, and while he was hunting
for the key 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 q window
when 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 of. .....
Mr.. Kimball got this little flaw cleared
up with neatness and despatch, and was
running briskly down the aisle when he
was collared by 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 cit 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 ht
was walking down to the depot with the
. senior deacon that official suddenly
halted, while a look Of grave concern
overspresd his face.
"Well, well, WE'LL" he said, "if that
isn't too bad"
"What is it?" nervous!y inquired
Brtoher Kimball.
Why" responded the deacon dole
: fully, "we forgot all about the pastor
salary; he only gets 500 a year, and w
amt paid him nothing but two dona,
tion parties since a year and half ago.
And when Brother Kimball climbed
on the train he resolved that the mex
time he tackled strange church b,
would demand a certified statement be
fore he took off his coat.