New-York tribune., 1896-01-31

ers Three and One-haf years ago. when MY.
Swentzel became the rector Of st. Luke's. debt
Of s35 900 was hanging over the parish. Many
churches doubtless have larger debts than this To
worry them. but 10 Mr.. Swentzel ii seemed that
no debt at all would be the most satisfactory
state - affairs and after becoming Thoroughly
acquainted with his new parishiorers. AMI finding
that they were united and loyal in their love for
their church. he came to the conclusion tha; 1t
would not De a difficult task TO wipe out the deo
completely BY Easter sunday of last year the
Indebtedness had been reduced to 100000 and
special Easter Offering made at the@rggestion of
tbe rector contributed $4,000. which reduced the
debt TO $1,000.
The wiping out Of this balance appeared to be
no easy task Many pastors would have consid-
cred that after the generosity Of the parish had
been SO literally shown. the raising of even
small additional amount should be delayed Tor
shor, time But Mr. Sw"ntzel declared that ne
would not let the matter drop until the entire
debt had been removed The scheme that ne
proposed was remarkably simple. nut II haS
turned out 10 be remarkably effective Ii Is not
like any that he had before heard o. pu' II
commended itself II him so strongly 'ha' h'
immediately set it before his people. he pro-
posed TO divide the amount Of the ihdeo'eun'SS
into 10 shares Of 500 each Inc SuoS''
were to b. paid in three instruments o"s F''
Ter due on October Is. St Lukes Day 1870 '
half ON Easter Sunday. 1896 ana 'he 'e''"'''''.s
ouarter on October !. 1896. or the l'o s''"''S Nv
have already been taken. ana IN" r'V''' 9"'
that he IS confident that the remaining SIM W., "''
soon be disposed OF. 1t Is his >n'ehu,'' ~ rao~
the entire debt wiped out on OCTOBER l. III m. W &,
~, - obrrch may be cOnsecrated on next -.
Iuke's Day Mr Swentzel mas inaut nu ph ,ho
sonal appeals TO his parishioners III ia,sI.e - s, ~
f.al HF
ho chanrel and in st Lukes Register
monthly pamphlet issued by him In the ihtcIeStts -
Of the church and the force OF ms api'eaH H,is
sbown hv the readiness with which MS peope
nave responded to his cells. The fOHo"ihs are
samples of his appeals TO his people
- Won have not subscribed FOR the payment OF 1Se
church debt: We appeal 10 you once NOR 10 W ts
G Suy E praca6e i has M
praise from clergy ana ayme" ihenn Tor relieving
| ,hr;r churches from the incubus OF m91'sasEes,
o w,,n csn uS bat is the measure OF your duly Give
| according to your ability lie; Us De
4; US be unanimous in the effor 70 wipe or' H'r Sr
debt DO not critcise the plan 70 i,o' @ 49, and
~ ~ ~ nave little As onr plan con;empla ies it,s
inr,se whole amount this will be the las, cai ne
object Is worthy: pieiy :s tne ar gu''''''' "''
| suit w.ll be for the glory o. 600.
st I.uke's is the largest Episcopal chur II
structure in Brooklyn. ana one oi 'he n|''|' n,d ~
| est in the State. The building WIS '',nl Hl Sew
fftl
cnuinred with a new organ and adorI"' WIN
| several beautiful memorial windows The con
SSa,a Tho rector Il .he church. and there ar"
| now more than 200 communicanis W hllr ne u. ~
| members have been making the speclsi eno'
| t. pay the church debt. they nave ho' amoM u,, -
| ,loir snhscrin.ions fv charities and missions
| - fau off Tne church supports hali-doz Il
| or more guilds and societies, each OF Will Will
carries out successfully its own me o., "orH ,H.
| IT, ,n.al offerings of the church for al puf-
! noses according to the last report made IRON,
| the parish to the diocesan conVentoh aih'''''e"
| to s33.9sl =. ,,n,.,,,o and
! Mr. Swentzci is native Of Philacelphia; anu
| was graduated from Franklin ana Marsha'I '''
| lege and the General Th"ooSi'AI SS',.''a. % "'
| hurg penn He went from there 10 Honesua'",
| penn. whence he was called TO be me rector
cr.on,o, no was elected Bishop Of Japan by the
! uouse Of bishops but declined the position il'+
| PREDECESSOR in ST. Lukes Churcn Was tle f'en
| Dr = A Bradley, now % st. Agnes CHAPEL III
| \ew-YOrk CITY.