Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1893-03-30
ESEST
An Appeal For Aid.

the spacious Tabernacle in Brooklyn.
where Rev. DR.. Talmage speaks every
Sunday to thousands If it be not speed
lily dispelled, this great preacher and
teacher must give up his labors in
locality where he can do more good than
in any place else on earth. The story Of
the financial trouble at this church seems
to be simple one. Itcasts not the slight
est reflection upon the care, prudence
or foresight of either DR.. Talmage or his
congregation. Several years ago large
church was built. The year following
it was found necessary to enlarge it at
almost the expense Of new church.
just as they were getting it paid for it
took fire and burned down, Then an
other large edifice was constructed. But
a lightning bolt set fire to it, and this
also was destroyed just as the debt upon
it was being wiped out. Then the pres
ent great structure was erected, which,
including the enlargement on the first,
practically comprises four churches that
this congregation has built within
few years. During DR.. Talmage's pas
torate in Brooklyn his people have raised
the sum Of $1,O4O,OOO for religious pur-
poses. This, for a congregation of which
the members are almost without excep-
ton in poor or moderate circumstances
financially, is q remarkable example
Of self sacrifice and liberality. Nor are
they weary in this well doing. They s"y
they are willing to work day and night
to be rid of this financial embarrassment.
Twenty-Five thousand dollars Of the debt
must be paid at once, or the noble insti-
tuition will pass out Of the possession Of
the congregation. The present pecuniary
distress is greater than they or any other
average church congregation where the
poor far outnumber the rich can carry.
Will they get the needed assistance?
There should be no question about it.
It need not come as a work of charity or
of good will either, but rather from a
sense of obligation. DR.. Talmage is the
worlds preacher and the worlds bene-
factor. At the call Of every species of
distress his heart and his hand, his voice
and his pen. have responded as soon as
the cry reached his ears. When Charles
ton was stricken by an earthquake. he was
leader in the work of relief. When the
Johnstown food catastrophe occurred,
his response in deeds and words was most
potent. When the cry Of distress came
from the starving peasants in Russia, he
went 5000 miles to distribute bread. For
every local charity and every case Of in
dividual distress his right hand has liter
ally been extended at all times. and his
left knew nothing about it.
If this unfortunate financial embar-
rassment Of his church had not occurred,
DR.. Talmage would probably never have
troubled himself to correct the prevailing
opinion that he had been drawing from
$40, 900 to $sO, 900 per year for his services
as pastor, but in speaking Of the diff.
Guilty the other day he remarked Incl
dentally that for the past three years he
had received $3.50 for his work, the bal
ance of his salary having been turned
back to the church.
The Brooklyn Tabernacle is unique. II
is crowded at every service of the year
Everybody is just as welcome there as
Somebody, and it is quite unnecessary tc
go to the highways and the byways tt
draw people in. Nor do the masses go tc
hear fine music or to see gorgeous altal
or rich church decorations, for these are
very simple at the Tabernacle.
They go to hear Talmage preach. Ant
his sermons are so luminous, so fresh, Sc
inexhaustible, so full of interest ant