The Opelousas courier., 1883-06-30
LIFTING TIE DEBT.

had OF deDts ACo CStAAoC, ooAt LII tl6
ansh Of times following the war, was
a ambitious piece OF architecture-the
church of the future beyond o doubt
siuce il was much larger than the CON
gregation land the peWs were still va
can't which the sanguine builders had
eysected to see filled by men who
we're to pay Off the mortgages. The
Rev. Mr.. Thorpe, the pastor, had car-
RED his debt now for two years it had
Teen the burden of his days, and the
nightmare OF his dreams; at length he
hsd brought his congregation to the
n0int Of attacking it. He had made
several anxious pilgrimages to rich
Methodists in neighboring cities, but
received small encouragement: it was
evident that the Methodists of New
Albion must shoulder their own load.
Accordingly, the first Sunday in o.
tober was devoted to a carefully plan
ned effort for the payment OF the debt.
Nr. Thorpe had concluded to dispense
With the services of q Evangelist
and to direct his own forces. There
vas 90 be no regular service in the
church, but the public were invited to
meet at 20 o'clock. and by the grace OF
God, the meeting should not adjourn,
hi. Thorpe said, until the debt was
paid. A collation. was provided in the
basement, SO that the people might
spend the day In work.
The debt amounted to $50 1000, and
when the meeting opened in the morn
ing, ST., 600 was at once subscribed
this amount having been secured be-
fore, and by private conference with
the ADLER contributors. The excellent
start awakened great enthusiasm, and
iar d time subscriptions came in rapid
N; butilong before noon the limit OF
thepeople's ability seemed to have been
reached, and the list only footed up
$4,000. MIR. Thorpe kept his forces
veil in hand, however, and showed no
Ggns of wavering. Exhertations and
appeals yer interspersed with sing
ng; d judicial and energetic commit
lee did q great deal of personal work
with Individuals messengers we're dis
patched to labor with sbsentees. But
Il WIS evident that the large gifts had
been gathered in, and there was still q
defeiE of more than $1,000 that the
small subscriptions, yet to be obtained
would by ne means supply.
As Mr.. Franklin, of ,hs Congrega-
~tionalist church, walked home after
theseryice with his pastor, they passed
the door of the Methodist church.
Lets look In a moment" said the
pastor. and sec how they are getting
0n.n
They sat down in one of the bach
seats and watched the proceedings
From Mr.. Thorpe's occasional remarks
they learned the situation of affairs
and saw that the IA was probably
hopeless, though the resolute leader
would not for a moment assent to sach
seonclnsion. As they walked along
Mr. Franklin said
Making q strong fight, aren't theyf
Yes
But they will not taketh fort?'
i do not know
do. They have got to the stick
lng point, and they will not get beyone
W. ~
Pity said Mr. Strong, senten.
tiously.
After q moments thought he added
With q new interest:
4hit lawful to pull your fellow
creatures out of q pit or the Sabbath
dayfn
Ishoula say 80, especially if he were
trying To get ont himself2a
Lawful to hitch up your horse tt
pull him out p
Yes laughed the minister.
We'll, you go home and get you
lunch, and I'll get mine and have Ma
loF put IN the buggy. I'll be around
mere before n o'clock and we will set
what We can do
All right
" was not long before the goot
MhlIe horse came Oft q weekday pace
" fhe door of the parsonage, and thu
i1lslds were soon whirling away
NOW, we've got to be swift, sale
lae banker. my first thought was ii
salon some of our own people, but
sn now inclined to give some of th.
5sss 2 chance. The Episcopalians ane
1Tee Baptists have a heavy deb
2, their own the Adventists are no
WIS 70 help much; we must enlist tn
Tsiers. Brlnsmade must call on TIN
Safhs Church folks, Ellsworth on til,
napflats, Thompson on the Universal
own.
meg we're stopping at Mr.. Brins
Naleas door, end the master OF tn
ho1se answered the bell.
Ne have set out, said Mr. Franklin
give the MetIodists a little lift Il
ling their church debt. VIII yol
se aka stand IN the vestibu1e Of you
ssllFeh ard waylay as many as You col
M 3olT strongest men as they 20 int,
~ aateraoon service, and get sub
nsapuons from them. Start the pape
Yourself then ask DR.. Phipps to tax
~ = coHeelion before the sarnon TO,
US solect. Get cash subscription
esssole tomorrow at my bank. Re
ksss ne amount to me at Nj. Strong
We Y I o'clock sharp; Will you d
Nnas 2 steamboat you are?s sal
n5saasIaade laughing.
MAA yon do h9n said Franklin
r~AasAaoasly No time for nonsenst
esg falloWr
Ill do ii.
" right Good bye
~ th8 white hnrsa WA anon Av4n
aosn the street.