The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1883-09-06


TINT hour they MI met Mt the parson-
nge, as by agreement, bringing with
them u m,,cll-largcr sum than the most
sangainc Of them Ind hoped to get.
They came down handsomely sail
D,insma,le. "'rhrec or four refused to
give anything, but most Of them had
their names down before they knew il.
1t dropped on them SO suddcn-likc that
they hadn't time to hunt up excuses.
The old doctor warmed mp to the bus
mess beautifully, and begged like
professional Didn't suppose il was in
him. They brought in nearly 800 in
tho boxes, beside MI / got from indi-
vi,luals.
The others had much the Same story
to tell. Sympathy with the Mctho-
dists in their courageous efforts was
universal, and it Ind found generous
expression.
"Now each Of yon sit down and writc
short letter." said Franklin, explain
ing that the amount you have collected
il from friends in your church, naming
the amount and stating where it may
be called for tomorrow, and we'll go
over at onco and send the letters up to
Brother Thorpe. trust he is holding
out yet, but il must he pretty tough
for man who doesn't believe in the
perseverance Of the saints to hang on
to such poor promise.
II was about half-past when Mr..
Franklin and his friends entered the
Methodist Church. The back seats
were all occupied, SO they stood in the
space behind the pews and looked on.
Tho church was pretty we'll filled, and
Mr.. Thorpe was still keeping up a
lively fire OF appeal and argument, but
there were no responses, and it was
plain TINT 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, I'VE
nrc only lobby members. How do you
get on?"
SLOWLY
And the solicitor shook his head
lolefully."
"How much have you got?"
"Only little over twenty five thou
sand"
"Why don't you stop where You
arcg"
"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
nnconditional?'
No. We've begged them to but
they are obstinate"
"pitv, isn't it?"
"les sir. 1t will be hard blow if
We fail now"
Tho discouraged gentleman walked
away.
MIR. Franklm's mir hal been SO indif-
fercnt that he had not vcnturca to ask
him for anything.
"Send up Your letter, Brinsmale. '
whispered Franklin, Get that small
boy to take it up"
The small boy toddlcd up the aisle
and handed the envelope to the pastor.
Mr.. Thorpe tore II open eagerly.
"Hallelujah!' shouted the impe,uous
Methodist. Brethren. listen to this !:
The First Congregational Church Of
New Albion sends greeting to the First
Methodist Church with pledge ot
| 81. .614 to he paid tomorrow Mt Il o'clock
hy a check upon tho First National
Bank This il signed on behalf OF
the church by James M. Brinsmade. =
The reading Of the letter was followed
by storm Of cheers and all the usual
Methodist responses. in the midst oi
which the organ struck up the DoN-
ology, and the whole congregation rose
to its feet and sang it with tremcn-
,lous energy.
"Will Brother Brinsma,le come for.
ward!' shouted MIR. Thorpe. But
before he had time to insist on this q
little girl was mounting the pulpit with
another envelope, which the pastor re-
ceiyed with trembling hands.
This letter stated that S5l5, the gif,
Of few friends in the Cniyersalist
Church. would be on deposit the mex,
day. at the same hour and place. Owe,
this the furore was relonbled. on,
enthusiastic brother mounting seat
and calling for "the second verse Of tn.
Doxology."
Better not protract the agony" saii
Franklin to Ellsworth. Let us send
up our notes togethcr.
The minister, who had now for ST,
hours been under continuous nervou,
strain, in whose heart confidence Ia,
given way to anxiety, and anxiety wa.
beginning to change to Encouragement
was SO completely overcome by tn.
contents of the other two envelopes
that he sat down in his chair and coul,
not speak for moment; but at length
he arose and half sohhcd out:
1.-TWO more, brethren. One from
friends in the Baptist Church, with |
pledge Of $9o5, and one from friends il
the Second Congregational Church
with a promise of $3.50. God bles
them, every one!
This time they were too excited I,
sing, hut there was ayollev of amens il
response to the last ejaculation, an,
men and women NIL over the hous
were laughing and crying like chill
dren.
"Give us the footing now, Brothe
Harrison" said the minister at lcngtl
to the Treasurer, who was keeping ac
count Of the subscriptions.
Thirty thousand, one hundred mn,
fifty-five dollars, was the answer.
LESS than s.. 900 more are wanted,
said Mr.. Thorpe. "What do YOU sa
to thatg"
1.-TWO hundred dollars more for me !
was the response from one of the hea,
lest Of the subscribers; and then tn
supplementary subscriptions, large an
/ small, came pouring in for ten minute
faster than the Treasurer could rccor
them. As soon rs there was shol
pause he summed up the amour
, again. and rising to his feet, qnietl
said:
"Thirtv-two Thousand, four hundre
and sixty dollars--s46O for shrinkage
The scene that followed can only i
imagined by those who know what a
incubus church debt is to devote,
. congregation, and who are familia
. with the ways in which Methodists al
wont to express their feelings.
Il preceiye,' said Mr.. Thorpe. risin
to his feet, after the tempest had sui