Evening journal., 1894-10-16
AN EPIDEMIC OF GIVING
Gold Watches, Rings and Jew.
els Piled on the Altar.
MISS SHEPARD SET THE EXAMPLE.

She Promised Iron Watches For Gold
Ones and Iron Crosses For Jeweis-The
Evangeiists Raised $4,000 In a short
while-one Man Gave Farm.
NEW York, Oct 16-At a meeting in
the Eighth Avenue Gospel tabernacle OF
the Christian and Missionary alliance,
which has just closed It's eleventh annual
convention, something unusual happened.
1t was at the height Of the meeting when
Miss Louise shepard, an evangelist, pro
posed that there should be an Offering Of
gold and silver Tor the work Of the alli-
nnce
In whirl Of religious fervor men and
women marched up tho aisles 60 the altar
and left gold and silver watches, diamond
pins and rings and jowelry of all forms
to DO sold in the interest Of missionary
work The programme of tho meeting
was stopped and was not resumed until
the altar Of tho tabc4 aacle was piled high
with tho offerings
AT one Of the three great meetings at
the American theater moro iewelTy was
given Ono mans generosity reached
such q pitch that he gave a deed for q
farm. Others gave amounts Of money
ranging from S6, 600 20 s1 More than
500 600 was subscribed during the day.
Miss shepard started II.
There were missionaries who had seen
service in all parts Of the globe. The pro-
grammes were interesting, and the meet
ings were attended by very large audi
enoes. Each night during the convention
the Gospel tabernacle was packed with
people The enthusiasm reached cul-
minating pitch when Miss Louise shepard
broke up the meeting with her PROPOSE
tion for offerings
Miss Shepard is a wealthy New York
woman A few years ago she was con
verified at a convention OF the Missionary
and Christian alliance at Round Lake.
At that time she took diamond rings
from her fingers and earrings from her
ears and laid them on the altar as an of
fering to the cause Since that time she
has been most earnest and devoted work
er for the alliance.
The programme was to include a series
Of short addresses on missionary topics.
/ When it came Miss Shepard turn to
speak, she arose and showed a small
watch, with cases which, she said, were
made of iron. She explained that not long
ago she saw iron watches advertised in a
i broadway window. She determined tc
sell her gold watch and give the proceeds
/ to tho alliance and use a cheap iron watch
instead Then she told q little story about
| the Order Of the Iron Cross. This society
was formed by women during the Prus
sian war, when the emperor called upon
i all OF his sub jects for assistance. The
Prussian women sold their iewelry for ths
benefit of the government and wore iron
/ crosses.
Now, said Miss Shepard, with an
appealing gesture, il these women were
willing to give up their jewelry because
Of their Loyalty to their native land surely
we ought to do as much for the love q
Jesus. For gold we will give iron to you.
Watches, Ring ara Jewt-a.
The Rev. stephen Merritt the under
taker and preacher, sat on the first row
When Miss shepard stopped and lookos
about for a response TO her appeal, Mr.
Merritt arose and after turning TOWARD
the audience pulled fine gold watch from
his vest pocket and laid it on the altar
Miss Shepard rewarded Mr.. Merritt Will
an encouraging smile,
"Who IS nexuN' she asked.
A man took diamond pin from hi
scarf and laid it by Mr. Merritt's watch
Women arose in the audience and began
to pull rings from their fingers and jewel
cd pins from their dresses. Mr.. Simpson
tried to resume the programme OF TIL
evening, but gave up when he saw the ex
element growing and tho aisles film
with people marching toward the alta
and leaving watches, rings pins AM
money. Some Of them made brief speeches
Each giver, after a brief speech, wa
rewarded with cries OF Amenin = Bles
the Lordl Praise the holy namol'
Tho spirit Of the Lord is with you" Mel
and women wero shouting and weeping.
Subscriptions TO be paid within tn
year were made with great enthusiasm
When the figures reached sac, 600, on
man, who would not give his name, sal
that he would make up the $50 600 Nor
than $50, 600 was subscribed
Miss Shepard will arrange to exohang
iron watches, as they are called for the 3
watches that were given up. So far as
possible the works Of these watches vii
be put in iron cases, which will DO ful
nished by Miss shepard Those who CAV
stem winding watches viii get the wors
Of this deal They will be compelled {
take the iron watches as they stand
Those who gave the 40 rings and the othe
\ jewelry viii receive iron crosseH apprC
! priately engraved.