The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-03-31
THE CHURCH DEBT.

gNoah,s Sunday Times and Messenger
 The Methods, church. of New Albion. had long been staggering under a load of debt It's edihce, built in the flush times following the war, was an ambitious piece of architecture church of the future, beyond doubt, since il was much larger than the needs of its oongrcga tion-and the pews were still vacant which the sanguine builders had eN- pec,ed to see filled by the men who were to pay otf'the mortgages.
 The Rev. NIT. Thorpe, the pastor. had carried this debt now for two years i, had been the burden of his days and the nightmare of his dreams: al length he had brought his congregation 10 tic point of attacking il. lie had mas!e several anxious pilsrimases ;o ttch Meth odists in neishborins cites. but ioand small encouragement | WAS evident that the Methodists in New Albion must shoulder their oHn load
 Accordingly. the first sunday in Oeto- Der was devoted to carefully planned effort for the payment of tine debt. Mir Thorpe had concluded to dispense with the services of "hnangelist" and to .di rect his own forces. There was to be no regular service in the church. but the public were invited to meet at ten 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 Vthe base ment, so . the people might spend the day in the work.
 The debt amounted to thiry-two thousand dollars, and when the meeting opened seventeen thousand dollars was at once subscnbed-this amount having been secured beforehand by private con- ference with the abler contributors
 This excellent start awakeded great enthusiasm, and, for time, subscrip- tions came in rapidly: bu, long before noon limit of the peoples ability seemed 10 have been reached, and the list only footed up twenty-four thousand dollars.
 Mir. Thorpe kept his forces we'll in hand, however, and showed no signs of wavering. Exhortations and appeals were interspersed with singing a Judicious and energetic committee did a good deal of personal work with individuals: mes sengers were dispatched 10 labor with absen,ees. But 1t seemed evident tha, the large gifts had all been gathered in, and there was still deficiency of more than seven thousand dollars that the small subscriptions yet 10 be obtained would by no means supply.
 As Mir. Franklin, of the Congregational church, walked home after tie morning service, with his pastor, they passed the door of the Methodist church.
 Let as look in for moment said the ..arH hauv ,hax, ting on.s
 They sat down in one of the back seats and watched the proceedings. From MT 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 as- sen, to such conclusion.
 As they walked along. Mir. Franklin said:
 Making strong fight, aren', ,hey:r
 Yes"
 But they will not take the for, ?"
 Il don't know"
 @l do; they've got to the sticking point, and they will not gel pas, it."
 Pity said Mir. Strong. sen,en,iously.
 After moments thought, he added with new interest:
 Is ,lawful to pull your fellow creatures eus of a pit on the Sabbath day:"
 Il should say so. especially if he IS trying to get out himself
 Lawful to hitch up your horse and pull him ou,:"
 'Yes." laughed the minister.
 Well, you go home and get your lunch, and IT, ge; mine and have Major put into the buggy. I'll be around be- fore one o'clock, and we'll sec what we can do."
 , All right"
 It was not long before the good white horse came at a weekday pace so the door of the parsonage, and the friends were soon whirling away.
 Now, we've got 10 be swift" said the banker. My first though, was to call on some of our own people, bu, an now inclined to give some of the rest a chance. The Episeopalians and the Free Baptists have heavy debt of their own : the Adventists are not able to help much: we must enlist the others. Brins- made must call on the First Church folks, Ellsworth on the Baptists, Thompson on the Universities, you and will look after our own.s
 They were stopping at MT. Brinsmade's door, and the master of the house an- swered the bell.
 We have set out,- said MT. Franklin, .to give the Methodists a little lift in paying their church debt. Will you go and stand in the vestibule of your chufch and waylay as many as you can of your