The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-01
CHURCH DEBTS.



THOUSAND DOLLARS AT ONE SERVICE
ON the cushions of the pews OF the Church OF the
Disciples there were scattered yesterday morning
printed circulars which called the attention OF the
reader to 'the pressure OF our church debt and to
certain facts connected herewith. II was stated that
this debt amounted TO something 500, 00o and
tina, BIO reduced II the future Of the society
be secured. The present annual interest WAS
over $1,000. and this sum so large that II TAB
serbs our ncome crippcs our usefulness and endan.
gers our continued existence" The circular then
went TO state that the Committee OF Trustees recon.
mend tho following PLAN
That all the pews owned the church be offered for sale
at auction the evening of April 49, The congregatoni
50 that must
OWN. viii sold Il fair o. even Il psss pay
ceved or all money thus EXPENDED as rom any other In
q me society cSn!pue that few years the pes in
double treble the exceedingly low valuation which
consider value Of property
ssnascs Of more hSn two thousand The
aesres on part large Viii
The church owns nearly four hundred pews VARYING in
price according to location and the committee nave
ended that they be offered for sale easy terms of
payment.
When the HYMN before the sermon was sung it was
mado manifest that these were but a silent and
preliminary appeal to more Outspokcn one.
Dr.. Hepworth said that 1t would, perhaps, BIO
surprise to the congregation II ne told them he was
not going to preach to them that morning.
Alter reference TO the relation which the minister
bore the church. he said that they had reached the
sary Of the birth and organization OF the Church OF
the Disciples. For long time the church mad been
pressed with pecuniary dnicuies but the congrega-
ton had enjoyed the services there but enjoyment
not the criticism he wanted, Tor II that wore
all then his preaching had indeed boen failure. On
this anniversary there had come 10 be certain
crisis He had been work tor this last six years,
but ne was glad and thankful TO say that IN the ad-
mi Of the temporal affairs of this church he
had no place. The gentlemen who were trustees OF
the church sonnet took his advice kindly, somc-
times followed II and sometimes they did not The
church and congregation were like a Christian fam
ily and II there was any trouble It must be removed;
II there were any impairment to their usefulness u
must DO destroyed. That morning he intended
TO rely upon their love Tor the church
to remove tho impeachment in the way Of its useful
Some OF his hearers had said to him that II no
were to remove IL would work great change in the
affairs Of their lives. That very pleasant 10 hear
but his ambition was not bound by his pleasure. he
mad wept OF great sorrow at tho thought that
this church was SO dependent upon him; It ought
not be, II must not be und II should not be. The
church was dependent upon God and Him alone.
That morning they would have an opportunity that
where IL belongs and whers God intends It 70 be- and
that was quite out OF debt 1t might DO said that all
this talk professional, and therefore he would
give place to some oi the trustees 70 address thcm
RAISING MONEY.
Mr.. Russell Sage ana Mr.. James Buell. addressed the
CATION, giving Ia detail the plan tor taking
p4ws aud subscriptions referred to above. After mis-
came the taking up OF the names oil The purchasers
OF pews and OF subscriptions.
Mr.. Sage SAID he had already three pcws, but he
would take MIR. Buell. said ne would take
tour pcws These were ST. 900 pows. and were there
lore equivalent to $4,000 Then followed Offers of
pews AZ $500, among whom wore Mr.. Brooks, }. w.
Weston Alexander Nichoii James Thompson, Deacon
Leggett, n. NJ. Cummings, II. BurIin, E. May lard, H.
r Furns, Jr. \. !. Hopkins, +. s. Badm'n and Mrs.
AnneL
Among the subscribers OF money Mr.. Z. II.
Perkins, $1,000; Henry W. Putnam, $500; Mr.. w.
Menzies, 5000; A Friend. 500; b. Wright, 500; q.
N pearsc, 500; Mrs. rhurber, 500; Mr. Eckcrston,
500; Daniel smith, 500; Mrs. Bray, 500; James
W. BunkeIv, 500; John IL. sherwood, 500; J. N.
Meserole, 500; X J. Leaycrat, 500; Mrs. Devine,
SlC0; the Frda? night prayer meeting gave $500 tho
Young Mems Society, $1,000, aud the sunday school,
sIUU.
Among the subscribers OF $50 were Mr. Mitchell,
Mrs Hepworth q. II. Jenss, Mr.. Barker. MRS. Jewcns
ana A Lady
numoer OF smaller subscriptions, varying from
twenty nve cents TO 81, were announced, and when
the Closed a0ouL one O'Clock Win
prayer, singing aud tho benedicon was ound that
u little over $50, 900 had been promised