The Billings herald. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1882-1885, 1885-03-21
Passing the Plate.
fEpw Sortx S,ln

FasslDg the Plate.
New york Sun
Taking UP a collection brings out the dif
ferent characteristics of ind viduals, and
that fact seemed to impress O sexton who
was asked about collections in general.
"Nothing you'll ever see," he said, @will
bring out more human nature than passin.
around the plato just once. If the promi-
nent church members who do that woull
speak, they could tell you interesting things
But, of course, their position is conf lential
one, something like that of confessor, or q
lawyer, and it wouldn't do for them to tel.
But as was saying, it brings out the most
| curious human nature that man has got
| in him. Before became connected With
this church l was simple mem-
ber of smaller down town con-
gregation; and, although don't take any
pride in it now, l may say that was
trustee, and did take up collections. When'I
tell you there were 200 persons in the con-
SreGatlon, and that $50 was an unusually large
sum to take up ut one time, you will under
stand how little enthusiasm there is about
contributing ulle S on som, special occasion
The only way tEat / can explain it is this:
ICu see, regular rch-member looks
upon the collection as a lifelong fact that
has go. to be met every Sunday, and, if he
IS at ali inclined to be economical, he Is apt
to trim down there, because he feels that he
does bis duty in paying for his pew Then
when outsiders come in they may give lit
tie. but, as a rule. they will finger the cents
or 10 cents in their pockets, and then drop it,
rejecting that, after all, it isn't worth while
to help build up church with which they
will have no further connection"
DOES anything depend on the man who
carries the plate!"
We'll, great DEAL He needs to have
sharp eye, Ct course, not to miss anybody
because there is not one chance in thousand
Of lis being called back. What he needs
more than anything else, though, is br:s1uess
tact There's everything in knowing how to
pass plate to different people. Some aro
cranky. If you put the plate at them too
persistently they feel offended, and take
pride in not contributing a cent for six
weeks. Than other people have their little
weaknesses and want their light to have
a good chance to shine. / knew q man
who, If plate came to him empty, would
put en- quarter Or a half, and be satisfied
with starting it that way; but if there were
lot of quarters and things on already, he'd
just as like as not slap down dollar bill.
And led get at least dollars worth Of
satisfaction in watching the hesitation CT the
rle-, rex 20 HIN, who knew they were as goo1
as he, anl yet didn't like to give so much.
Why, I've had plate come sailing by ms
just loaded with bills, and you'll think tn,
congregation was eXtravagantly liberal,
when the fact was that two or three men
started in that way, and the rest wouldn't
take bluff.
"More diplomacy may be exercised by
collector tt an any one would think. But he
can't do nearly as much to help the church
as the members them elves can as they sit in
their seats. Let gentleman put silver in
the plate, and then follow it with his eye
The chances are that No one within sight
will have the courage to put in copper
More than Cnce I've seen a man drop
penny from the palm Of his hand in the
middle Of the plate thinking it would pass
unfercelvel. But some deacon or some one
interested in the church would light right
onto the cent with well-directed glante.
Then tie man would look down, discover
with surprise that he had put i'll cent, say
What a ridiculous mistake and put in
more. There are lots of old church mem.
bers who understand this, and no matter
what church you may 60 to, unless
you sit.up in the gallery, you will be pretty
sure to see some Old gentleman or old lady
with an eye Oh you as the plate goes by.
More hesitatinC nickels have teen turned I'M
the right direction by this means than any
one has any idea of. And it is only right,
for no one can supply church with heat,
light, and good minister unless he has
money to do it with. And every one vino;
enjoys those comforts ought to help pay for
them.
There is curious case in this church. 1t
is that of al old white-haired member worth
a million. who always puts just 10 cents in
tie box. Rain OF shine, he is always in his
seat at the same hour, and always has dinfo'
i'll change. I've heard our minister make
the most touchin, sermon on the heather
that you over heard. The tears woul wet
the old millionaire's cheeks but just as sur,
as that box came around he would wipe hil
eyes, reach with his right hand in his left
Eocket and draw W out that dime;
just enough to take miss ,onary to Harlem.
He probably contracted that habit when he
was poor man. and grew TO like it.
"Other slen are just the other way, AMI
give liberally-more perhaps, than thoy cos
afford Men who get their IN oney most cas-
lily are most liberal; brokers and spectators
who don't know whether they own cent or
in not will throw $40 bill, when solid real
estate owner will give quarter. AMI I've
seen regular gambler come into church in
all kinds OF fancy clothes, and contribute
handsome, just for luck.
"About punched quarters and dimes We
don't have SO much trouble nowadays, be-
cause they are getting scarce since they have
become hard to pass. But, of course if q
man has got nickle with hole in it plugt
sed up with tin foil, he is tempted to- con-
tribute it in church. IT seems as natural to
most men as to put it in the boz of a bobtail
,ar Foreign missions and bobtail car
l think, divide up the
punched coin of this country. OF course we
wouldn't appear to notice a punched coin.
,ven if there was nothing but the rim left.
We might offend some one who would do
'he right thing when his punched money ran
,ut.
Buttons we get, too but rarely from
grown up people. They come nearly always
rom boys who have been provided with
money by their parents, and tear from their
rousers a button with which to 60 through
he motions of contributing"
Foreign coin!'
"Yes, certainly. 1t would delight the
leart of a coin dealer to 60 through some of
he collections that used to be taken up down
n my old church. That was near the river,
md lots of sailors and foreigners would drop
n and give whatever they happened to;
ave"
Toccoa (Ga.,) News: not long since
ady advised hsr abetter half" to attend