The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-10-10

Thirteen thousand dollars Of the
needed seventeen thousand dollars. to
clear OF all the debt of the Delaware
Avenue Baptist Church, have been
raised. The remaining four thousand
dollars must be secured within three
weeks, or large majority Of the sub
scrlptions which have been made will
be forfeited. the debt-caneelling effort
will be failure, and the discourage
ment and reaction involved will be
disastrous
II 1t were possible to stop now, with
the payment OF $13, 200 of the $1,000
debt, and to leave onlyan encumbranee
upon the property of "a. 1000, most glad
ly would 1t be done by both pastor
and people. But it is not possible, for
the large majority Of the contributors
thus far have made the condition that
their subscriptions are not due until
the total debt is raised, and the present
month is the limit OF their time. With
out this condition it would have been
impossible to have secured more than
small part OF the $l3, 600 still at our
command for three weeks longer.
Indeed, we would rather sacrifice two
or three thousand dollars of secured
funds than to make a public appeal
and add to the burdens OF those who
are loaded elsewhere with their own
church and benevolent responsibilities.
But as we are brought face to face, i'll
few days, with the agony of sacri-
ficing almost all of Sl3, 600, because we
have not "a, coo more, all thoughts OF
pride and OF consideration for others
are swept away by the avalanche of
our anxieties.
The struggling, staggering church
cannot provide this $4,000 balance. 1t
has drained its every resource, not
only for the present, but for a long
| time to come. The general self-saeri-
flee which has been manifested, Is be-
beyond that which have ever seen or
heard Of elsewhere. have diligently
represented the case to friends out
side of Wilmington, and many of them
heve generously assisted. But / have
almost exhausted their list, and know
not where else to turn for additional
help, except to the citizens OF Will
| mington.
And it is surely matter of interest
to them, that the Delaware Avenue
church, almost lost, and now almost
saved, should this month be placed
again firmly upon It's feet, and be
henceforth a self-leliant, effective pow
er for good in this city.
Four thousand dollars more this
month will, with Gods blessing, In all
probability abundnntly guarantee the
future of this church. Its past, at
least in It's uncommending features, be-
longs entirely to those who have gone
from 1t. The present members, large
ly new aceessions, are not responsible
| for the superficial, sensationalism and
! financial Encouragement which have
been so conspicuous in Wilmington
| RI, sifNr No hnx
no apology to offer for much of the
past, which has been so luminous In
our press and before the local public.
But new church has arisen, tried
as by file. Its ambition is only for
substantial, reliable growth. In all
It's secular dealings, as well as in It's
| spiritual GOVERNMENTS. IL would
hencpforth commend itself to all other
chui ches and to the public generally.
The young of past years. left almost
alone with crushing burdens, are now
giving their manhood and womunhood
to tho practically new enterprise be-
fore God and The world.
/ Almost half of the present members
OF the church have Joined during the
pasty We claim to lie new church.
. starting out upon a new history, de-
serving in our spirit and aims the sym
pathy and cooperation of all church
members and OF all the good citizens
OF Wilmington. Confidently, therefore,
this public appeal is made. All gifts
and subscriptions will be gratefully re-
ceived and acknowledged by eiti Ell the
undersigned at 4O5 West Tenth street.
or by Harry Emmons, Esq, OF the
law firm of Messrs. Lore Il Emmons,
corner of Ninth and Market streets.
II the $4,000 more can he realized
this month, and thus all Indebtedness
be cancelled, it is the purpose as soon
as practicable to complete the tower,
and make such other improvements
upon tho building. as shall make this
/ prominent sanctuary an ornament
and pride Of the city.
But no expenditures can heneeforth
become lien upon the property. I'M
med utely with the clearing of all debt.
trust is to 10 legally executed, which
VIII effectively guard against all fu-
ture oncumhrances.
| And now, confidently awaiting the
response of many good citizens of
Wilmington, will laceal the anxieties
OF the remaining three weeks of this
month Nth more courage and hope.
Very truly yours,
w. L. BAINBRIDGE,
Pastor of Del. Av. Baptist Church.
| Wilmington, 405 West 10th street.