The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-10-17

his pastor returned to their own parish
which they divided between them, con-
irving before four O'Clock to see a good
portion of its most generous members.
At that hour they all met at the parson-
age, as by agreement, bringing with them
q 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 any
down before they knew it. It dropped on
them 30 sudden like that they hadn't time
to hunt up excuses. The old doctor
warmed up to the business beautifully
and he begged like professional. DIDN'T
suppose it was in him. They brought in
nearly four hundred dollars in the boxes
besides all got from individuals"
The others had much the same story to
tell. Sympathy with the Methodists in
their courageous effort was universal and
it had found generous expression.
"Now each of you sit down and write
a short letter." said Mr.. Franklin, eek
planning that the amount you have col
lected is from friends in your church,
naming the amount and stating where it
may be called for tomorrow, and we'll
60 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
a man who doesn't believe in the perse-
verance of the saints to hang to such
poor promise"
TWAS half.past four when Mr.. Franklin
and his friends entered the Methodist
church. The back seats we're all occu.
pied, 80 they stood in the space behind
the pews and looked on. The church was
pretty well filled, and Mr.. Thorpe was
still keeping up lively fire of appeal and
argument, but there were no responses
and it was plain that hope had departed
from most of the solicitors.
"Will you walk forward and take seats,
gentlemen ?" said one of them.
"No, l thank you," answered Mr..
Franklin. "We are only lobby members.
How do you get on ?"
"Slo.wly"
The solicitor shook his head dolefully.
elbow much have you got ?"
Only little over twenty-five thou
sand"
"Why don't you stop where you are P"
"Then we lose everything. The greater
share of the heavy subscriptions are con-
ditional upon raising of the whole debt"
"Wont your subscribers make them
unconditional ?"
"No. We've begged them to, but they
are obstinate"
"Pity, isn't it ?"
"Yes, sir. 1t will be hard blow if we
fail now"
The discouraged gentleman then walked
away.
Mr.. Franklin's air had been so indiffer-
emit that he had not ventured to ask him
for anything.
q" Send up your letter, Brinsmade,"
whispered Franklin. "Get that small
boy to take it up"
The smallest boy toddled up the aisle
and handed the envelope to MIR. Thorpe,
who tore it open eagerly.
Hallelujah |" shouted the impetuous
Methodist. Brethren, listen to this ::
'The First Congregational church of New
Albion sends greetings to the First Metho-
dist church, with pledge of sixteen hun
dred and seventy.five dollars to be paid
tomorrow at twelve O'Clock, noon, by a
check upon the First National bank
This is signed on behalf of the church by
James w. Bi1nSmade."
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 doxology, and the
whole congregation rose to its feet and
sang with tremendous energy.
"Will brother Brinsmade come for
ward ?" shouted Mr.. Thorpe.
But before he had time to insist on this
little girl was mounting the pulpit with
another envelope, which the pastor re-
ceived with trembling hand.
This letter stated that five hundred and
fifteen dollars, the gift of few friends in
the Universalist church would be on de-
post the next day, at the same hour and
same place. Over this the Juror re-
doubled, one enthusiastic brother mount
ing seat and calling for the "second
verse of the Doxology."
"Better not protract the agony,o said
Franklin to Ellsworth.
The good minister, who had now for
six hours been under continuous nervous
strain, in whose heart confidence had
given way to anxiety, and anxiety was be-
ginning 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 mo-
ment, and at length rose and half sobbed
out:
1.-Two more, brethren. One from friends
in the Baptist church, with pledge of
nine hundred and twenty-five dollars, and
one from friends in the Second Congrega-
tional church, with promise of eighteen
hundred and ten dollars. God bless them,
every onep
This time they were all too excited to
sing, but there was volley of amens in
response to the last ejaculation, and men
and women all over the house were laugh
ing and crying like children.
"Give us the footing now, Brother
HARRISON" said the minister, at length, to
the treasurer, who was keeping account
OF the subscriptions.
"Thirty thousand, one hundred and
fifty.fve dollars" was the answer.
Less than two thousand dollars more
are wanted !" cried MIR. Thorpe. "What
do you say to that ?"
1.-TWO hundred dollars more for me |"
was the first response from one of the
heaviest subscribers and then the sup
Elementary subscriptions, large and small,
came pouring in for ten minutes, faster
than the treasurer could record them. As
a00n fhara Wop O ohort nauaa h. ,u.s.x.oI