Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1889-08-20
RAISING CHURCH MONEY.
How q Methodist Missionary Raised
81. 800 In q Western Town.

EtOW mtthoutst uhtsntouhfy RasHo>s
$500 In q Western Town.
Rev. Mr.. Crouch, missionary for the
Brooklyn Methodist Church Extension
Society, told the congregation Of the
Sumner Avenue Methodist Church in
Brooklyn the other evening some OF
his experience in raising money for
debt-incumbered churches. Among
others he related the following:
II had agreed to do what could to-
ward raising an $1,000 debt upon a
small church in a Western village, aud
when alighted at tho depot Saturday
evening ! was met by the pastor Of the
church. Iwho pointed to a carriage
near by and said the owner OF II
was waiting to take me home with him.
l was also told that my entertainer
was wealthy farmer who had refused
to give any more money toward rails
ing the debt, saying that he had al
ready done all he could. Because OF
his refusal several other prominent
members OF the church had also re-
fused to contribute. When / got into
the carriage the farmer told me plainly
he knew that was sent with him in
order to persuade him to subscribe
some more money, and that such an
attempt would be useless. as he would
not give another dollar. argued and
pleaded with him. but my efforts were
in vain. The next morning while
driving to the church, after another
effort to reach his pocket by persua-
sion without success, the conversation
turned on the horse, which was jog
cling along before us.
"'Nice horse, said /.
"'Yes. good animal. As good n
beast as ever wore hide was the re-
ply.
"'How old is the horseP'
"'About eighteen years.
How long have you had himp
+" Fourteen years I've worked the
animal every day in the field and he
has taken the family to church regu-
larly on Sunday for fourteen years.
81 suppose you wouldn't like to
lose him?'
No; he's been faithful horse so
long that couldn't feelsatislied to lose
him. Still, i could easily fill his place
with a four-year-old in my possession.
I've got a standing offer OF $50 for the
old horse
"As we drove up to the church 1t
seemed to me that had the key OF the
situation. didn't say any thing to
the farmer. however. When / got in
to the pulpit began my plea for the
81, 800 by telling the congregation all
about the condition Of affairs. ! closed
by relating the conversation about the
horse. saying l was satisfied that the
farmer could spare the old horse, and
telling the secretary to credit the
farmer with $50 on the strength OF
selling the faithful animal. Instantly
the farmer sprang TO his feet and ex.
claimed:
~ won't sell the horse. but you ca
put me down for $5O'
LAC uuh no oOOlcT TosuIutu MS scat
Than another man. who was only wait
Ing to follow the farmers example, ex-
claimed:
"'Put me down for $50. As my wife
said she would give $50 whether / did
DR. not you may as well charge her
with an equal amount
THE words were scarcely out OF the
speakers mouth when the farmer was
IN his feet again. saying:
az guess my wife is as good as his.
Put $50 opposite her name on the book
This stirred the other man up 10
such an extent that he was on his feet
In second shouting:
"'Give my eldest daughter $50 |
worth OF that stock
"'And my eldest daughter. too
aid the farmer. She's just as gener-
Jus as his |
"And 50 it went on for five min
ltes," continued the missionary,
while smiles rippled over the congre-
ration. Each member OF the two FAM
lies was successfully brought In until
10th men had given 1910. The 81, 800
vas raised in less than an hour. IN.
1, Sun,