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

THE CHURCH DEBT.
The Methodist Church of New AL
bion had long been staggering under n
load of debt. It's edifice, built in the
flush times following the war, was an
ambitious piece of architecture-the
church of the future, beyond doubt,
since 1t was much larger than the
needs of its congregation-and the
pews were still vacant which the SAN
guine builders had expected to see filed
by the men who were to pay of the
mortgages.
Rev. Mr.. Thorpe, the pastor, had car
ried this debt now for two years; II 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 neighboring cities, but
found small encouragement; II was
evident that the Methodists in New
Albion must shoulder their own load.
Accordingly, the first Sunday in Oc-
tober was devoted to carefully-planned
effort for the payment Of the debt. Mr..
Thorpe had concluded to dispense with
the services of n "finangelist'' and to
direct 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
the basement, so the people might spend
the day in the work.
The debt amounted to thirty-two
thousand dollars, and when the meet
ing opened seventeen thousand dollars
was at once subscribed-this amount
having been secured beforehand by
private conference with the ADLER con-
tributors.
This excellent start awakened great
enthusiasm, and, for time, subscrip-
tons 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 well in
hand, however, and showed no signs of
wavering. Exhortations and appeals
WCIC httISDciStu WIFI n
judicious and energetic committee did n
good deal of personal work with indi-
viduals; messengers were dispatched to
labor with absentees. But IL seemed
evident that the large gifts had all been
gathered in, and there was still de-
ficiency of more than seven thousand
dollars that the small subscriptions yet
to be obtained would by no means sup
ply.
As Mr.. Franklin, of the Congrega-
tional Church, walked home after the
morning service, with his pastor, they
passed the door of the Methodist Church.
"Let us look in for 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 the situation of affairs and
saw that the case was probably hope
less, though the resolute leader did not
for q moment assent. to such conclu.
sion.
As they walked along, Mr.. Franklin
said:
Making a strong fight, aren't theyP'
"But they will not take the forte"
81 don't know"
II do; they've got to the sticking
point, and they will not get past it."
PITY" said Mr.. Strong, senten
tiously.
After moments thought, Mr.
Franklin said, with a new interest:
"Is 1t lawful to pull your fellow crea
lures out of pit on the Sabbath dayr
II should say so, especially II he /.
trying to get out himself"
Lawful to hitch up your horse and
pull him outP'
eyes," laughed the minister.
"Well, you go home and get youl
lunch and I'll get mine and have Major
put into the buggy. I'll be around be
fore one o'clock, and we'll see what we
can do"
"All rightr'
1t was not long before the good white
horse came at week day pace to thu
door of the parsonage, and the friends
were soon whirling away.
"Now, we've got to be swift" sale
the banker. my first thought was Il
call on some of our own people, but
am inclined to give some of the rest |
chance. The Episcopalians and tn
Free Baptists have heavy debt o.
their own; the Adventists are not abl'
to help much; I'VE must enlist the others
Brinsmade must call on the First Church
folks, Ellsworth on the Baptists, Thomp
son on the Universalists, you and viii
look after our own"
They were stopping at Mr.. Brins
made's door and the master Of the hous,
answered the bell.
1--WE have set out" said Mr.. Frank
lin, ito give the Mcthodists little III
in paying their church debt. Will yo,
90 and stand in the vestibulc of YOU
church and waylay as many as you car
of your strongest men as they go int
the afternoon service, and get subscrip
tions from themp Start the paper your
self. Then ask DIR. Phelps to take {
collection before the sermon for the
same object. Get cash subscriptions
payable tomorrow at my bank. Re
port the amount TO me at Mr.. Strong
house by four o'clock sharp. viii you
do itp"
what q steamboat you arep" sale
Brinsmade, laughing.
"Will you do ftp said Franklin
strenuous1y. mo time for nonsense
old fellowe'
eyes, I'll do It,"
IAN right. Good-bycr'
And the white horse was soon hyin,
down the street.
None of the other churches had after