Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-10-15
A oHURcH.s appeal.


by the Contribution OF S4,OOO at Once n
$4,000 Debt May be Cleared Della
ware Avenue Baptist Church Debt.
The following appeal for financial aid
states succinctly the financial necessities
| of Delaware Avenue Baptist Church
TO he Ctisens Of Wilmington: Thirteen
thousand dollars Of the needed sl7000 to
clear off all the debt Of the Delaware Ave
nue. Baptist Church has been raised. The
remaining $4,000 must be secured within
three weeks, or a large majority of the
subscriptions which have been made, will
be forfeited, the debt-canceling effort will
be failure, and the discouragement and
reaction involved will be disastrous.
II 1t were possible to stop now, with the
| payment of $4,000 Of the si7, 900 debt, and
| to leave only an encumbrance upon the
| property of $4,000, most gladly would ii
be done by both pastor and people. But
| II 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, aud the
present month is the limit of their time.
| Without this condition it would have been
| impossible to have secured more than II
small part Of the $4,000 still at our COM
mand for three weeks longer.
Indeed we would rather sacrifice two or
three thousand dollars OF secured funds
than to make public appeal and add. to
where with their own church and benevo-
lent responsibilities. But as wo are brought
face to face, in few DAYS. with the agony
of sacrificing almost all of $l3O0J because
we have not $1,000 more, all thoughts of
pride and considerations for others are
swept away by the avalanche of our
anxeties.
not provide this 81, 900 balance. II has
drained It's every resource, not only for the
present, but for long time TO come. The
general self-sacrllice which has been man
Tested, is beyond that which have ever
seen or heard Of elsewhere. / have dill
| gently represented the case to friends out
side of Wilmington, and many of them
have generously assisted. But | have
almost exhausted their list, and know not
where else TO turn for additional help, ex-
cept TO the citizens of Wilmington.
And 1t is surely u matter of interest to
them that the Delaware Avenue Church.
almost lost and now almost saved, should
this month be placed again firmly on its
feet and be henceforth self-reliant, eff
fective power for good in this city.
-Four thousand dollars more this month
will, with Gods blessing, in all probability
abundantly guarantee the future of this
church. Its past, at least In its uncom-
| mending features. belongs entirely to those
who have gone from il. The present mem
bers, largely new accessions are not re-
| sponsiblc for the superficial scnsationalism
| and financial mismanagement which have
been so conspicuous in Wilmington during
many former years. We have no apology
| TO offer for much Of the past which has
been so luminous in our press and before
| the local public.
| But a new church has arisen, tried as by
fire. Us ambition is only for substantial,
reliable growth. In all its secular dealings,
as well as in its spiritual Governments, it
| would henceforih commend itself to all
other churches and to the public generally.
The young Of past years, left almost alone
| with crushing burdens, are now giving
their manhood and womanhood to the
practically new enterprise before God and
the world. Almost half of the present
members of the church have Joined
during the past year. We claim to be a
new church, starting out upon new his
tory, deserving in our spirit and aims the
| sympathy and cooperation Of all church
members and of all the good citizens Of
| Wilmington. Confidently, therefore this
| public appeal is made All gifts and sub
scriptions VIII he gratefully received and
acknowledged by either the undersigned
at No. 400 West Tenth street, or by Harry
| Emmons, Esq, of the law firm of AIessrs.
Lore Emmons, corner of Ninth and
Market streets.
If the $4,000 more can be 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 the
building, as shall make this prominent
sanctuary an ornament and pride of the
City
But no expenditures can henccforth
become lien upon the property.
Immediately with the clearing of all debt,
a trust is to he legally executed, which
will effectively guard against all future
encumbrances.
And now, confidently awaiting the re-
| Spouse of many good citizens of Whining
ton, ! will face all the anxieties Of the re-
manning three weeks OF this month with
more courage and hope. Very truly,
| yours. W. +. BAINBnIpuE.
Acting Pastor of Delaware Avenue Bap-
fist Church, 405 West Tenth street, VIII
nington, October Sth, 1891.