Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1897-08-14
LIFTING CHURCH DEBTS.



different denominations Circulars
inviting people To come 10 the church
and contribute TO the debt raising were
distributed, and regardless of denomi-
nation or creed. everybody joined in
the movement, and BY the fusion of
forces the end was accomplished.
Trinity ". f. Church is the most
notable example of success in debt
raising Trinity is the largest church
and the most extensively constructed
edifice of the Methodist denomination
in the United States. But almost all
OF its liberal donors met with reverses.
and their fortunes of millions melted
away like SO much snow before the
sun. Thus it came to pass that Trim
ity NJ. +. Church, from being the fore
most and most wealthy organization in
the West. felt the pressure of distress.
and found mortgages confronting the
trustees. with little or no prospect of
meeting them. The sum of 500. 600
was demanded in the most imperative
manner. Something had to be done.
and it was done. To-day there is not
a cent of Indebtedness, and the con-
gregation breathes freer.
A fair share OF the amount came
from Catholics. who wrote their checks
for sums ranging from $500 TO $1,000
The credit for the liquidation may be
ascribed to Major Elijah Halford. pay
master United States army, attached
70 the department of Colorado. with
headquarters at Denver His brain
attacked the subject in n way that
could only be devised by one skilled
In the expedients of a newspaper
training. His enthusiasm became
infectious, the newspapers supple
mented him with able descriptions
of the efforts TO hoat Trinity and the
church became the center of an ex-
element that has not had its equal in
the history Of the city.
To raise $40. 600 in one day. after
the resources Of the people had been
drained TO the last cent. was an under
taking of a stupendous character,
but the pastor tackled the subject "a
manfully as if il was his first appeal
for funds. After the Introductory re-
marks a brilliant idea occurred 10 one
man. who proposed that the roll be
called by States. The first response
was from an Arizona cattle man, who
had just dropped in to kill time He
saw the preacher for 500, and then a
tall man in the gallery offered 500 for
Illinois Ohio came next with 5000.
while Pennsylvania and Missouri fol-
lowed with 5000 Indiana was hold
ing a caucus in a corner, and was next
TO respond with $500. Foreign coun-
tries we're called, and the first contri-
button from over the water came from
Japan. 4 young japanese from the
coast, who had been married the day
before 20 a white teacher. was the
giver Of s.. Germany, France and
England strove for honors. and little
Finland gave 81 These small amounts
did more to enthuse the people than
any OF the great sums that had been
reported earlier, and then the fun be-
gan. Away up In the topmost row of
the gallery was brOad-shouldeTed
man, who shouted. II give s. for
/ Montana" throwing a gold coin down
az the preacher. In a minute men IN
all parts of the house arose and threw
| gold and silver in the direction of DR..
] Cobern. the pastor. Every now and
| then DR.. Cobern would turn, and
waving his arms wildly in the air,
! would shout
Sing, brothers. sing; we've got an.
other thousand.
Then the organist would strike the
keys of the great organ with a trium
plant crash and the audience would
sing, the Doxology rolling through the
great church In wave of majestic
melody.
Here's two for $3.50 each, said the
doctor; that makes S59. 900 now; sins
it, sing H." and the reverend gentle
man turned TO the choir behind HIN
and shouted IN his enthusiasm. TIL
choir sang, and the people, too.
Heres one for 500. That make
the $50, 900. Now the mortgage i
Off Sing. for you've rolled the mort
gage off.
Then the congregation sang 600
be with you till we see you again" i
honor Of DIR. Cobern, who will leav
for three months trip TO Europe thi
week.
The other churches that raised debt
during the past two months, are Chris
NJ. E., S25. 900; St. Elizabeth's Catho
lie, $4,000; Central Presbyterian