The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-03-20
IOWA.
THE MARsHALLTowN EMERGENCY

THE MARsHALLTOwN EMERGENCY.
Special Communication: AS an in
stance of what going ahead will do in
the face of difficulties which to every
evidence seemed insurmountable. recent
events in Marshalltown afford an in.
spring example and proof that our
Lord is one whom we can trust enough
to always work for his kingdom.
Years ago, afflicted with a ministry
and management the eyes of which
unfortunately we're fixed steadily upon
worldly things, fine parsonage was
erected. creating debt Of $500 with
not dollar in sight to pay it. The
creditor was given a mortgage insuring
him the income from the rent, which
was $25 per month. A year and half
ago this arrangement had reduced the
debt to about $500, but repairs, insur-
ance and water rent had drawn heavily
upon the society which. with an inter-
mittent and more or less consistent
ministry, had drained and cut off its
material resources and no one in all
Marshalltown was found with courage
to foretell or strive for anything but ir-
redeemable collapse.
The property was about to be at
tached for paving tax, which. then in
arrears, was to run for six years at Sl10
a year. There was more than $500 in
bills, debts. etc., outstanding. The par
ish, never wealthy, suffered much from
hard times and it's public confidence
and credit was gone. 1t simply pro-
posed to die as easily and silently as
possible, though with heart achings
which will never be told.
Then Rev. Thomas E. Dotter ap-
peared upon the scene and made close
personal canvass with everyone and
raised enough to satisfy the paving tax.
He preached twice every Sunday and at
tended frequently to special interests.
while Mrs. Dotter superintended the
Sunda, school. reducing it's debt, and
setting it in efficient working order.
handful of Universalists stood by
them. Bro. Dotter undertook to nego-
tiate the mortgage upon the parsonage,
which, at first seeming matter of days
heightened into four months, but it was
finally accomplished by the purchase of
said mortgage by the Iowa Convention
for 1000 to draw only six per cent in
terest; the original holder consenting to
throw off nearly $500 in consideration of
The society's needs, and the ready
money. So far SO good. There was the
income from the rent of parsonage to
pay the paving tax and interest, but the
church, though built OF stone. was un-
fit for public worship. And the pastors
the parish could not raise enough to help
him or itself. Now the sequel: The Peo-
pies Church." to fill its mission, must
needs rent the church for $500 for one
year paid in advance. This they did; the
Universalist society reserving the base
ment, which they will excavate and fit
up, giving pleasant and commodious
rooms for worship, Sunday. school and
kitchen.
Bro. Dotter, though engaged for the
year has resigned, serving but half the
time. leaving the church in better con-
dition than the most visionary dare
prophecy, and the cause of our faith in
Marshalltown sound established for fu-
ture work and growth.
In one year, during which time need
ed repairs will be made. the church will
be worth $4,000 and the parsonage
$4,000 more and paying off its own in
debtedness, at which time also the
church should have a settled pastor.
Let them not forsake their gatherings
together in socials and worship at fire.
quent and regular intervals during their
temporary absence from the church.
Let the brethren at Marshalltown and
everywhere rejoice. holding fast the
faith once delivered to the saints-and
go ahead. ***