The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-04-30
PASSING THE Platter
THE CHURCH TRUSTEES STUDIES OF
HUMAN NATURE.
Bringing Out the characteristics Of In
diViduals - Everything in Knowing
How to Pass the PIate-A Curious
Case - Bad Money.


taxing up a collection brings out the diff
ferent characteristics Of individuals, and
that fact seemed to impress a sexton who
was asked about collections in general
Nothing you'll ever see," he said, @win
bring out more human nature than passing
around the plate just once. If the promi-
nent church members who do that would
speak, they could tell you interesting things.
But, Of course, their position is a confidential
one, something like that Of confessor, or
lawyer, and it wouldn't do for them to tell.
But, as l was saying, it brings out the most
curious human nature that a man has got
In him. Before l became connected with
this church l was simple MEM
Der of q smaller downtown con-
gregation; and although 1 don't take any
pride in it now, 1 may say that was
trustee, and did take up collections. When
tell you there were 200 persons in the con-
gregation, and that so was an unusually large
sum to take up at one time you will under
stand how little enthusiasm there is about
contributing unless on some special occasion.
The only way that / can explain it is this:
You see, a. regular church-member looks
upon the collection a lifelong fact that
has got to be met every Sunday, and, if he
is at all inclined to be economical, he is apt
to trim down there, because he feels that he
does his duty in paying for his pew. Then
when outsiders come in they may give lit
tie. but, as 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 plate2"
We'll, great deal. He needs to have a
sharp eye, Of course, not to miss anybody,
because there is not one chance in a thousand
of his being called back What he needs
more than anything else, though, is business
tact. There's everything in knowing how to
pass plate to different people. Some are
cranky. If you put the plate at them too
persistently they feel offended, and take
pride in not contributing a cent for six
weeks. Then other people have their little
weaknesses and want their light to have
a good chance to shine. l knew a man
who, if plate came to him empty, would
put on a quarter or half, and be satisfied
with starting it that way; but if there were
a lot of quarters and things ON already, he'd
just as like as not slap down dollar bill.
And he'd get at least desa5I . s zeS1 tn Of
satisfaction in watching thssSlesitation of the
men next to him, who 1Hne they were as good
as he, and XetJ~didn't like to give so much.
WhyrySf@ve had plate come sailing by me
lust loaded with bills, and you'd think the
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 a
collector than any one would think But he
can't do nearly as much to help the church
as the members themselves 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 once I've seen a man drop a
penny from the palm of his hand in the
middle of the plate thinking it would pass
unperceived. But some deacon or some one
interested in the church would light right
onto the cent with a well-directed glance.
Then the man would look down, discover
with surprise that he had put in 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 go to, unless
you sit up in the gallery, you will be pretty
sure to see some old gentleman or old lady
with an eye on you as the plate goes by.
More hesitating nickels have been turned in
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 a good minister unless he has
money to do it with. And every one who
enjoys those comforts ought to help pay for
them.
"There is curious case in this church II
is that of an old white haired member, worth
million. who always puts just 10 cents in
the box. Rain or shine, he is always in his
seat at the same hour, and always has dime
in change. I've heard our minister make
the most touching sermon on the heather
that you ever heard. The tears would wet
the old millionaire's cheeks but just as sure
as that box came around he would wipe his
eyes, reach with his right hand in his left
waistcoat pocket and draw out that dime;
Just enough to take missionary to Harlem.
He probably contracted that habit when be
was poor man, and grew to like it
"Other men are just the other way, and
give hberally-more, perhaps, than they can
afford. Men who get their money most cas-
| lily are most liberal; brokers and spectators
who don't know whether they own cent or
in not will throw $50 bill, when solid real
estate owner will give quarter. And I've
seen regular gambler come into church in
all kinds of fancy clothes, and contribute
something 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 a
man has got a nickle with hole in it plug
ged up with tin foil, he is tempted to con.
tribute it in church 1t seems as natural to
most men as to put it in the box of bobtail
car. Foreign missions and bobtail car
companies l think, divide up the
punched coin of this country. OF course we
wouldn't appear to notice punched coin,
even if there was nothing but the rim left.
We might offend some one who would dc
the right thing when his punched money ran
out.
Buttons we get, too, but rarely from
grown up people. They come nearly always
from boys who have been provided with
money by their parents, and tear from their
trousers button with which to 60 through
the motions of contributing"
Foreign cOin2"
eyes, certainly. 1t would delight the
heart of a coin dealer to go through some OF
the collections that used to be taken up down
in my old church. That was near the river,
and lots of sailors and fnraionarS would drnr