The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-09-07

Ana Tile Wnte morse was soon uylnS
down the street.
None of the other churches had after
noon services, and all that could be
done in them must be done by personal
application to few of the most pros
porous members. But Mr. Franklin
had selected the right man as can
vasser in each society, and after they
had been set ut work he and his pastor
returned to their own parish, which
they divided between them, contriving
before 4 o'clock to see good proper
ton of its most generous members. At
that hour they all met at the parson-
age, as by agreement, bringing with
them much-larger sum than the most
sanguine of them had hoped to get
"They came down handsomely" said
Brinsmade "Three or four refused to
give anything, but most of them had
their names down before they knew it.
1t dropped on them so sudden-like that
they hadn't time to hunt up excuses.
The old doctor warmed up to the bus
mess beautifully, and begged like a
professional. Didn't suppose it was in
him. They brought in nearly 800 in
the boxes, beside all got from indi-
viduals."
The others had much the same story
to tell. Sympathy with the Metho-
dists in their courageous efforts was
universal, and it had found generous
expression.
"Now each of you sit down and write
short letter." said Franklin, explain
ing that the amount you have collected
is from friends in your church, naming
the amount and stating where it may
be called for tomorrow, and we'll go
over at once and send the letters up to
Brother Thorpe. l trust he is holding
out yet, but it must be pretty tough
for man who doesn't believe in the
perseverance of the saints to hang on
to such a poor promise.
1t was about half-past when Mr..
Franklin and his friends entered the
Methodist Church. The back seats
were al occupied, so they stood in the
space behind the pews and looked on.
The church was pretty well filled, and
Mr.. Thorpe was still keeping up a
lively fire of appeal and argument, but
there were no responses, and 1T was
plain that hope had departed from
most of the solicitors.
will you walk forward and take
seats, gentlemen said one of them.
no. thank you," said Franklin, 1--WE
are only lobby members. How do you
get on?"
Slowly"
And the solicitor shook his head
dolefully."
Glow much have you got?"
only little over twenty-five thou
sand"
Why don't you stop whore you
are?"
"Then We lose everything. The
greater share of the heavy subscrip-
tions are conditional upon the raising of
the whole debt"
won't your subscribers make them
upconditional?'
mo. We've begged them to but
they are obstinate.
PITY, isn't it,"
eyes sir 1t will be hard blow if
we fail now.
The discouraged gentleman walked
away.
Mr.. Franklin's air had been so indif-
ferent that he had not ventured to ask
him Tor anything.
send UP your letter, Brinsmade,"
whispered Franklin, Get that small
boy TO take it up"
The small boy toddled mp the aisle
and handed the envelope to the pastor.
Mr.. Thorpe tore il open eagerly.
"Hallelujah!" shouted the impetuous
| AFnthA1;et 1gfn,, 20 tl,;o
'The First Congregational Church of
New Albion sends greeting to the First
Methodist Church with a pledge of
81, 674 to be paid tomorrow at II o'clock
by check upon the First National
Bank This is signed on behalf Of
the church by James NJ. Brinsmade."
The reading of the letter was followed
by storm of cheers and all the usual
Methodist responses, in the midst of
which the organ struck up the DoX-
ology, and the whole congregation rose
to its feet and sang it with tremen-
,dous energy.
will Brother Brinsmade come for
wardl" shouted Mr.. Thorpe. But
before he had time to insist on this a
little girl was mounting the pulpit with
dHOJlleI envelope, Nuich I'VE puSIOI Ic-
ceived with trembling hands.
This letter stated that S5l5, the gift
of few friends i'll the Universalist
Church, would be on deposit the next
day, ut the same hour and place. Over
this the furore was redoubled. one
enthusiastic brother mounting n seat,
and calling for "the second verse of the
Doxology."
Better not protract the agony" said
Franklin TO Ellsworth. Let us send
up our notes together"
The minister, who had now for six
hours been under continuous nervous
strain, in whose heart confidence had
given way to anxiety, and anxiety was
beginning to change to Encouragement,
was so completely overcome by the
contents of the other two envelopes
that he sat down in his chair and could
not speak for q moment; but at length
he arose and half sobbed out:
1.-TWO more, brethren. One from
friends in the Baptist Church, with q
pledge of 1925, and one from friends in
the Second Congregational Church,
with promise of Sl,Sl0. God bless
them, every onep
ThiS t;p,a fIay ,vara boo axcita1 ff