Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1885-04-29

he and his pastor returned to their own
parish, which they divided between
them, contriving before four o'clock to
see a good portion of its most generous
members. At that hour they all met at
the parsonage, as by agreement, bring
ing with them much larger sum than
the most sanguine Of them had hoped
to get.
"They came down handsomely" said
Brinsmadc. Three or four refused to
give anything; but most of them had
their names down before they knew IL.
II dropped on them so sudden like that
they hadn't time to hunt up excuses.
The old doctor warmed up to the bust
ness beautifully. and he begged like a
professional. They brought in nearly
s400 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 short letter." said Mr.. Franklin,
explaining that the amount you have
naming the amount and stating where
1t may be called for tomorrow, and
we'll go over ut once and send the let
tiers up to Brother Thorpe. trust he
Is holding out yet, but it must be pretty
tough for man who doesn't believe in
the perseverance of the saints to hang
to such poor promise"
1t was about half-past four 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.
The church was pretty well filed, and
Mr.. Thorpe was still keeping up a live
ly 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
your seats, gentlemen said one of
them.
"No, thank your answered Mr..
Franklin. 1--WE are only lobby men,
bers. How do you get onp"
Slowly"
And the solicitor shook his head dole
fully.
"How much have you gotP"
"Only alittle over twenty-five thou
sand"
why don't you stop where you
are?"
Then we lose everything, The
greater share of the heavy subscriptions
are conditional 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 itp"
Yes, sir. 1t will be hard blow if
we fail now"
The discouraged gentleman walked
away.
Mr.. Franklin's air had been so indif-
tercnt that he had not vcntured to ask
him for anything.
"Send up your letter, Brinsmade,"
whispered Franklin. "Get that small
boy to take it up
The small boy toddled up the aisle
and handed the envelope to Mr.. Thorpe,
who tore it open eagerly.
"Hallclujah!'' shouted the impetuous
Methodist. Brethren, listen to this:
The First Congregational Church of
New Albion sends greeting to the First
Methodist Church, with pledge of six
teen hundred and seventy-five dollars,
to be paid tomorrow at twelve o'clock,
noon, by check upon the First Nation
al Bank This is signed on behalf of
the church by James w. Brinsmade."
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 Doxol-
ogy, and the whole congregation rose to
its feet and sang with a tremendous
energy.
"Will Brother Brinsmade come for
wardp" shouted Mr.. Thorpe.
But before he had time to insist on
this little girl was mounting the pull
pit with another envelope, which the
pastor received with trembling hand.
This letter stated that five hundred
and fifteen dollars, the gift of few
friends in the Universalist Church,
would be on deposit the next day, at
the same hour and same place. Over
this the furOre was redoubled, one en-
thusiastic brother mounting seat and
calling for ''the second verse of the
Doxology."
Better not protract the agony" said
Franklin to Ellsworth.
The good minister, who had now for
six hours been under continuous ner-
vous strain, in whose heart confidence
had given way to anxiety, and anxiety
was beginning to change to discourage
ment, was so completely overcome by
the contents of the other two envel-
opes that he sat down in his chair and
could not speak for moment, and at
length rose and half sObbed out:
| hrathvap
friends in the Baptist Church, with q
pledge Of nine hundred and twenty-five
dollars, and one from friends in the
Second Congregational Church, with
promise of eighteen hundred and ten
dollars. God bless them, every one!"
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
laughing and crying like children.
"Give us the footing now, Brother
Harrison" said the minister, at length,
to the treasurer, who was keeping &C
count Of the subscriptions.
Thirty thousand one hundred and
fifty-five dollars" was the answer.
"Less than two thousand dollars
more are wanted!" cried Mr.. Thorpe.
"What do you say to thatp"
1.-TWO hundred dollars more for mer'
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 soon as there was short
pause, he summed up the amount
again, and rising to his feet, said quiet
ly:
"Thirty-two thousand four hundred
and sixty dollars-four hundred and six
ty dollars for shrinkage!'
The scene that followed can only be
imagined by those who know what an
incubus q church debt is to devoted
congregation, and who are also famil-
iax Nth tho ,uaue In which tho Mafh-