The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-09-07
RAISING A CHURCH DEBT.
BY REV. WASHINGTON GLADDEN..

had long been struggling under load
of debt. Its edifice, built in the flush
times following the war, was an am
church of the future beyond doubt,
since it was much larger than the con-
gregation, and the pews were still va
cant which the sanguine builders had
expected to see filled by the men who
were expected to pay Oft the mortgages.
The Rev. Mr.. Thorpe, the pastor, had
carried this debt now for two years. 1t
had been the burden of his days and
the nightmare of his dreams. AT length
he had brought his congregation to the
point of attacking it. He had made
several anxious pilgrimages to the rich
Methodists in neighboring cities, but
found small encouragement. 1t was
evident that the Methodists of New
Albion must shoulder their own load.
Accordingly, the first Sunday of Oc-
tober was devoted to n carefully
planned effort for the payment of the
debt. Mr.. Thorpe had concluded TO
dispense with the services of "fnan-
galist' and to direct his own forces.
There was to be no regular service in
the church, but the public were invited
to meet at 10 o'clock in the forenoon,
and, by the grace of God, the meeting
would not adjourn, Mr.. Thorpe said,
until the debt was paid A collation.
was provided in the basement, so that
che people might spend the day in the
work.
The debt amounted to $50, 900, and
when the meeting opened in the morn
ing SIT, 600 were 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
for time subscriptions came in rapid
1y; but long before neon the limit of
the peoples ability seemed to have
been reached, and the list footed up
only about $24,0 900. Mr.. Thorpe kept
his forces well in hand, however, and
showed no signs of wavering. Exhor-
tations and appeals were interspersed
with singing; judicial and energetic
committee did great deal of personal
were dispatched to labor with absen-
tees. But it seemed evident that the
large gifts had all been gathered in,
and there was still deficiency of
81, 900, that the small subscriptions yet
to be obtained would by no means sup
ply.
As Mr.. Franklin, of the Congrega-
tional Church, walked home after the
service with his pastor, they passed the
door of the Methodist Church.
Lets look in moment" said the
pastor, "and see how they are getting
on
They sat down on one Of the back
seats and watched the proceedings.
From Mr.. Thorpe's occasional remarks
they learned the situation of affairs, and
saw that the case was probably hopeless,
though the resolute leader did not for
moment assent to such conclusion.
AS they walked along, Mr.. Franklin
said:
Making strong fight, aren't they?"
"Yes."
But they will not take the fort"
Il don't know"
II DO. They have got to the sticking
point, and they will not get past it."
"Pity!" said Mr.. Strong, senten-
tiously.
After moments thought Mr.. Frank
lin added, with new interest:
"Is it lawful to pull your fellow
creature out of pit on the Sabbath
day."
Il should say so, especially if he is
trying to get out himself.
"Lawfnl to hitch up your horse to
pull him out?"
EYES," laughed the minister.
well, you go home and get your
lunch and I'll get mine and have Major
put into the buggy. I'll be around
here before l o'clock, and well see
what we can do.
GAIL right.
1t was not long before the good white
horse came at weekday pace to the
door of the parsonage, and the friends
were soon whirling away.
"Now, we've got to be swift, said the
banker. my first thought was to call
only on some OF our own people, but
am now inclined to give some of the
rest a chance The Episcopalians. and
the Free Baptists have heavy debt oil
their own, and the Adventists are not
able to help much. We must enlist
the others. Brinsmade must call OF
the First Church folks, Ellsworth or
the Beptists, Thompson on the Univer
salists, and you and l will look out for
our own.
They were stopping at Mr.. Brins
made,s door, ana the master of TIN,
house answered the bell
1--WE have set out, said Mr.. Frank
lin, ito give the Methodists little lif
in paying their church debt. VIII yor
go and stand in the vestibule of you
church and waylay as many as you cal
of your strongest men, as they go int
the afternoon service, and get subscrip
tions from them? Start the pape
yourself. Then ask Mr.. Phelps TO talk
mp collection before the sermon TO
she same object. Get cash subscrip
tions, payable tomorrow at my bank
Report the amount TO me at Mr.
.StroDgs house by o'clock, sharp
Will Won do it?"
"What a steamboat you arel" sal
Brinsmade, laughing.
will You do it?" said Franklin