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

The Methodist church OF New Albion,
had long been staggering under load of
debt. Its edifice, built in the flush times
following the war, was an ambitious piece
of architecture-the church of the future,
beyond doubt, since it was much larger
than the needs of its congregation-snd
the pews were still vacant which the san
guine builders had expected to see filled
by the men who were to pay off the mort.
CAGES.
The Rev. Mr.. Thorpe, the pastor, had
carried this debt now for two years it
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 rich Methodists in
neighboriug cities, but found small en-
coursgement it was evident that the
Methodists in New Albion must shoulder
their own load.
Accordingly, the first Sunday in Octo.
Der was devoted to a carefully planned
effort for the payment of the debt. Mr..
Thorpe had concluded to dispense with
the services of Evangelist " and to d.
rect his own forces. There was to be no
regular service in the church, but the pub
lie were invited to meet at ten o'clock in
the forenoon, and, by the grace of God,
the meeting would not adjourn, Mr..
Thorse said, until the debt was paid. A
collation. was provided in the basement,
so the people might spend the day in the
work.
The debt amounted to thirty.two thous-
and dollars, and when the meeting opened
in the morning seventeen thousand dol
lars was at once subscribed-this amount
having been secured beforehand by pri-
vate conference with the ADLER contribu-
tors.
The excellent start awakened great en-
thusiasm, and, for time, subscriptions
came in rapidly; but long before noon
the limit of the peoples ability seemed
to have been reached, and the list only
footed up about twenty-four thousand
dollars.
Mr.. Thorpe kept his forces we'll in
hand, however, and showed no signs of
wavering. Exbortations and appeals were
interpreted with singing; judicious
and energetic committee did good deal
of personal work with individuals; mes.
sengers wers dispatched to labor with alb.
sentees. But it seemed evident that the
large gifts had all been gathered in, and
there was still a deficiency of more than
seven thousand dollars that the small
subscriptions yet to be obtained would by
no means supply.
As Mr.. Franklin, of the Congregational
church walked home after the morning
service, with his pastor, they passed the
door of the Methodist church.
"Let us look in for a moment" said
the parson, "and see how they are get
ting on"
They sat down in one of the back seats
and watched the proceedings. From Mr..
Thorpe's occasional remarks they learned
case was probably hopeless, though the
resolute leader did not for moment as
sent to such conclusion.
As they walked along Mr.. Franklin said !:
"Making a strong fight, aren't they ?"
EYES,"
"But they will not take the fort ?"
al don't know"
al do; they've got to the sticking.
point. and they will not get past it."
"Pity," said Mr.. Strong, sententiously.
After a moments thought, he added
with a new interest
els it lawful to pull your fellow Great
ures out of pit on the Sabbath day p
al should say so, especially if he is
trying to got out himself"
"Lawful to hitch up your horse and
pull him out p
eyes," laughed the minister.
dwell, you 60 home and get your lunch
and I'll get mine and have Major put into
the buggy. I'll be around before one
o'clock, and we'll see what we can do"
Gan rightp
It 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
on some of our own people, but am now
inclined to give some of the rest chance.
The Episcopalians and the Free Baptists
have heavy debt of their own the Ad.
ventists are not able to help much; we
must enlist the others. Brinsmade must
call on the First Church folks, Ellsworth
on the Baptists, Thompson on the Univer-
salists, you and will look after our own"
They were stopping at Mr.. Brinsmade's
door, and the master of the house an.
swered the bell.
ave have set out" said Mr.. Franklin,
TO give the Methodists little lift in pay
ing their church debt. Will you 60 and
stand in the vestibule of your church and
waylay as many as you can of your
strongest men as they 60 into the after
noon service, and get subscriptions from
them ? Start the paper yourself. Then
ask Dr. Phelps to take collection before
the sermon for the same object. Get cash
subscriptions, payable tomorrow at my
bank. Report the amount to me at MIR.
Strong's house by four o'clock sharp.
Will you do it2"
"What steamboat you are " said
Brinsmade laughing.
"Will you do it 2" said Franklin
strenuously. "No time for nonsense, old
fellow
eyes, I'll do it,"
GAN right. Good byel "
And the white horse was soon flying
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 appli-
cation to few of the more prosperous
members.