The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1897-02-24
FREE OF DEBT
is THE FIRST CONGREGA-
TIONAL CHURCH.
The Members of the Church Pledge the
Looked DiscOuraging at First.


1t looked like a mountain to all, and
how to remove it was the puzzling ques-
ton. At the first adjourned meeting the
entire evening was devoted to discussion
and plans for paying the debt. Four
gentlemen members of the society offered
to stand among ten who would pay three
hundred dollars, making three thousand
dollars as a starter.
A committee of three was chosen to
take the matter in hand, and at once can
vas to secure six more three hundred
dollar subscriptions. At the next ad-
jOurned meeting they made report that
the names could not be secured. 1t was
then decided to call joint meeting of
the church and society, lay the matter
before them, and if possible cooperate
in making a beginning for the reducing
or entire payment of the debt. The
meeting was held in the church auditor
ium, Monday evening Feb. 8th. Free
discussion was had, and the three huu-
dred arplan again presen ed. MeSsrs,
j. NJ. 0tterbacher, +. W. Bennett, W. R.
Wean, Vim. Vischer, &. H. Palmer, A. R.
Palmer, Geo. Rust and Edward Wells, Sr.
each pledged three hundred dollars, and
there the matter seemed to be stuck fast,
Mr. Wean then stated If the ten names
could be secured, he would name a man
who would be responsible for the balance.
The name of the party was called for ard
it proved to be our pastor, Rev. A. f.
Skeele, who repeated in publict he prom
Use he had previously made privately to
one Of the trustees, that if he would
secure ten individuals who would give
three hundred dollars each, and obtain
permission of the congregation to 60
forward, he would be responsible for
raising the debt. The large audience
responded by unanimous rising vote in
favor of the proposition, and the meet
ing adjourned until Feb II. The COM
mittee being instructed in the mean
while to use their best efforts to find the
missing two men. On Feb. II they re-
ported their inability to find them, and
the whole plan threatened to fall through.
The question was finally asked Rif
three subscriptions of two hundred each
would be accepted, thus securing the
other six hundred dollars, an affirmative
reply was made and very soon the whole
three thousand was secured. The last six
hundred being pledged by j. S. Mallory,
j. 0. johnson and Wight family two
hundred dollars each,
This change in the original PROPOSE
ton was accepted, and Mr.. Skeele being
called upon presented his plan for rails
ing the balance of the Indebtedness by
sending out a circular letter, stating
fully our needs and plan for securing
the necessary amount, to this letter 8
pledge was attached, stating manner
and time of payment. Seven hundred
and fifty of these were sent to all oul
church members present or absent, to al
wOrshiping with us and supposed to b
interested. A large committee with tn
pastor had the matter in charge. Ad
iournment was taken until Friday eve
tning. Feb. 10Th, when these letters wer
gathered in, opened, and pledges cOunte
over Seventeen hundred dollars wer
thus pledged in sums from one hundre
dollars down to five cents. 1t was
revelation to us, as some of the amount
were given by those who had little @
this worlds goods, and while the amount
we're not large it was evident self denia
had to be made in giving, Mr. Skeel
bad placed the blackboard back OF tn
( 10 klhutniS w. tbn.Gr-,,rn Of q no auE
] who was riding on the engine. craw
| out of the wreck up on the bank,
! died before assistance reached h
i Engineer }. Il. Fairhead. OF Cincinn;
was cut on the head and sustaine
bruised leg and elbow, not serio
n Ten others were Injured.
, {1ss s.--- 49, ~ "A. .
mittee were able they reported suI%t
one hundred dollars each, which NJ
Skeele;placed upon the blackboard. Viii
these letters were out, the committee ha
not been idle, but made personal appe;
securing several hundred dollars, whiC
y was also placed upon the board, Whe
all the letters were opened and their col
5 tents noted, we found that we lackt
: but four hundred dollars OF the enti
/ amount. The audience was then ask,
IL what should be done to secure Il
u balance, the hearty response came bac
. pledge it. This they proceeded to do
IL short order, and in half an hour the bS
IL ance was secured, and the mountain
V v debt, which had weighed so heavily
a a our beloved church, was wiped out
IL existence. Mr.. Wean then stated tn
a the Sunday School was struggling to p
'' the eighty-three dollars balance on t
+ bell. At once it was proposed to raj
this amount also. Within ten minut
the whole amount pledged in sums fri
five dollars down to fifty cents. A
then our pent up feelings gave vent
the doxolOgy, a general hand shakir
ringing Of the bell. which announced