New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-26
UOW TIE DEBT UAS RAISED.
CHURCH BURDENS IN TIE wILDs or THE CATS
KILLS \ DECADE AGO

CHURCH BURDENS IN TIE WILDs OF THE CATS
KILLS 4 DECADE AGO.
brethren" said the minister solemnly. 1--WE have
a debt of fifteen cents. How shall We raise it,"
The good Gcacons looked around the church in
ouirngly ana one or two Of them shook their heads
with A discourl yed air The mountain breeze, cool
even though IL was midsummer. waited In through
the omen church door, and IL was so quiet after the
pastors announcement that you could hear the
bumble-bees in the honeysucke arornd the quaint
old entrance.
II IVES a ll.tle hamlet up in the Catskil.s not far
from that summer resort called Giboa. which ten
years ago before the advent OF the summer board
er was a metropolis compared to this quiet little
village. The congregation made up of farmers
who still chung to the agricultural idea, and who
were too ploddng realize that while filling soil
was profitable. filling the gaunt, gray rocks and
powders OF the mountain could never be aught but
drudgcry without reward. Hard cash was a thing
almost unknown to these toilers OF the hills. They
were more primitive than the American Indians.
who though unvexed by the silver question, at least
had wampum as the coin Of the realm. But even
without this were these Catsk Mountain farmers.
They paid all their bills in their slender crops. \
little corn tenderly nurturod in the inches between
great stones: A few acres OF hay, moved with the
scythe on the steep mountain slope. and few
vegetables In the more fertile ground near their
cottages-these were their bills of exchange for
their few groceries and rare purchases OF store
clothes" They had solved thoroughly the problem
OF barter. To their minister they did manage. by
hook and crook. to give a few dollars each year.
The rest OF his salary they paid In firewood. great
loads OF hickory hewn far up among the waving
treetops OF the Summit Mountain. carted over the
rough timber tbs and heaped up. huge rampant
along the side OF the parsonage.
Il wa not altogether surprising therefore, In
view vi these circumstances. that an announcement
like that Of the minister should actually be made,
as was the case: Brethren, we have debt of hf-
teen cents How shall raise it?'
To the good minister on this summer morning
decade ago this a serious matter. Without
exaggeration be felt that the church. even If not
threatened with actual bankruptcy. was at least
a heavy debtor. His congregation thought 40. too.
Not few sighed and shook their heads obviously.
The plate WAS passed and the writer. who came
from great and wealthy city, put in exactly fifteen
cents After the collection the plate immedi-
atciv taken up the pulpit and minister began
10 count the money 50 10 announce the result Of
his appeal
"Brethren and sisters" he said and his voice
shook a little THE Lord has been generous to us
be, ond seeking or deserving. We have twenty
three If the bountiful givcr wishes to take
back anything above the amount OF our debt the
opportunity is now offered. We would not wish to
take advantage OF Gods providence more than is
absolutely needful.'