The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-09-18

same spirit, and see that he did not
suffer either for the lack of money, or
from uncertainty as to when he could
get it. 1t must be like gold, the salary
we promised to pay him. And it must
be more than equal to his modest wants.
He should have the same privilege that
other men have, of providing some
thing for rainy day; not only to
pay the running expenses of the pass
ing days, but to put by each year some
thing for the inevitable old age that
was coming on.
We not only professed a desire to be
just, but meant to be generous also
We had been favored by kind of prov.
idence for many years. Our flocks and
herds, our shops and stores, our offices
and professions had been yielding free
ly all these years, in which we had been
doing nothing for the faith we loved
Some of us had become wealthy. There
were those said to have as high as thir-
ty thousand dollars. There were farm.
ers with as much as hundred acres
of good land, well improved and out of
debt. There were merchants making
as much as two thousand dollars a
year, and doctors whose income was
even greater. So we said we could
do fairly well by our pastor. Our
town was small, rents were low, and
living was cheap. We would pay him
fifteen hundred year. We thought he
could save one-half of that, more or
! less.
This to begin with. But there were
other expenses to be provided for. The
church was to be cared for, lighted and
warmed. Something must be expected
each year in the way of repairs.
Perhaps two thousand dollars would
be sufficient to cover everything.
At once the question was precipi-
tated, How can we meet all this
Surely not by the way which prevails in
the churches around us, of signing ten
or fifteen dollars apiece, and then ex-
pecting the ladies to make up the bal
ance with all the fearful and the wonder
full contrivances that the ladies of the
churches sometimes employ to coax the
dimes and dollars out Of unwilling
pockets, OF that we would have moth
ing. We felt that the schemes de-
vised for getting money for the church
were in many cases a scandal and re-
prOach, and in other cases consummate
folly. In few instances were they JUS
tifiable either on the score of results in
money, or of social pleasure. To
contribute cICfiar's worth 3f pr0vf-
sions with five dollars worth of work
and then to put into the church treas
ury fifty cents, was kind of business
that our people could not admire.
So it was the opinion of all that if
we were going to spend two thousand
dollars year to keep our church going
the wise and christian, not say plain,
common sense business way of doing,
would be to personally pledge that two
thousand dollars at the beginning of
our work. 1t was to be paid, and we
would have it to pay sooner or later
why not arrange for its paying at once?
The suggestion took, and the subscrip-
tion paper went round with a rush.
But it was a curiously constructed
paper. 1t was not limited to single
year, and then subject to renewal Like
our engagement of the minister, it was
intended to be permanent thing. Each
subscription was indefinite, except that
it was intended to continue as long as
the pastOrate. There was, however, a
provision that one could withdraw after
giving six months notice. The sub
scription paper was the basis of the
financial business of the parish, and it
must not be subject to too much un-
certainty. In six months time it was
supposed that any mans detection
could be made good, if it was so desired, |
Besides, we felt that it would be !
great strength to the minister, to be |
able to see that the temporalities of the |
church were placed on solid and dura-
BILE basis. With no anxiety in regard |
to these, he could devote himself to his |
higher labOrs with far greater efficiency.
If he was to be man of single pur-
pose, of inspiring and contagious en-
thusiasm, he must not be worried and |
perplexed about matters of money.
The lower cares would weaken and less
en- his power to meet the higher. That |
was certain. So we made permanent |
subscription paper. 1t was something
new, but after little explanation all
fell in with it, as just the thing
Now to the signing of it. 1t was pre-
sented first to the richest man of the
parish. He was reminded that as his
opportunity had been the most fayora-
BILE, and as God had dealt most geuer-
ously with him, it was fitting that he
should set the others an example of
wise and prudent generosity. While
none would gauge their subscriptions
by his, all the same it would help them
to a more cheerful giving, if he would
only rise to the level of his opportunity
There would be an indispensable in