Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-24
RAISING THE DEBT.
Two Members of Union Church
Pledge $4,000 Each.
Rev. Or. futile Starts Movement to
Clear OFT an Indebtedness of
About 100000.

The subject of Rev. DR.. John E. Tut
ties Sunday morning discourse at I'm
ion Church was THE duty of giving"
His text was II Corinthians, viii:9, For
We know the grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for
our sakes he became poor that we,
through his poverty, might become
rich.'
Paul, he declared, looked at every
side of matter thoroughly consider
ing the Christian life from every point
of view, and Paul found that giving was
the fundamental principle of the Chris
tan life. Owing to the example that
Christ had set before us in his great
gift to us, that of the sacrifice of his
own life, we ought, out of our capabili-
ties, restore at least one-tenth of what
was given us. as was customary in the
Jewish Church, to God.
The Old Testament constantly refers
to the virtue of giving. The many sac
rifices of the old prophets are evidences
of their attitude toward God in this re-
spect.
The beginning of Christian life is the
act of giving oneself to God, of laying
ones aspirations entirely in Gods hand.
In the Christian life, the giving of
money is not all. One should give with
willing spirit, a willing mind and,
what is given, should be dispensed
cheerfully and happily
Dr. futile went on to state that a
beautiful church had been erected at a
large expenditure, the sum of one-quar-
ter Of a million dollars being expended
in building this house of worship. The
parishioners had been successful in pay
ing this large amount to the extent that
only the comparatively small sum OF
100000 remained to be paid. 1t was
stated that there were three elements
in this debt, to vita floating debt car
ried over from the old Union Church,
the deficit which, owing to the newness
of everything, had been incurred in
1897, and the remainder of the building
debt, which was $4,000 OF course this
means a large interest account.
He questioned the ACCESSIBILITY Of al
lowing so large an interest account to
rest as a burden on the church, and sug-
gested plan to raise the indebtedness,
which was as follows: 1t is wise in any
thing Of this sort that all be. allowed
to take part, so that no one will feel
sighted, rich and poor, high and low.
For it has often been stated that
churches were often not the church
Of the poor but rather the church of the
rich. In order that all might feel that
they had part in this work he was will
/ ing to receive the smallest contribu-
tons
Although he was diffident in under
taking this work. yet owing to the ne
cessity for it he would do it cheerfully,
and looked upon it as pastoral duty.
His method would be that of individual
subscription papers, the amount given
to be sealed secret between the pastor
and his people. A treasurer is to be APP
pointed by the trustees of the church,
and the money is to be collected by per-
sons appointed for that object. The
treasurer will make a quarterly report.
Mr. futile stated that already $4,000
had been subscribed by two well-known
members, who had already given liber-
ally to the church. One had doubled his
original gift and the other had added
$4,000 to an already generous gift.
| DR.. Tuttle added in conclusion that a
church ought TO cost something, time
talents, thought and money, and while
he will not urge, he wishes the parish
toner's to be ready for his visits
In the church calendar for the week
the pastor appeals to his people in the
following words:
He asks not only the prompt an6
generous financial cooperation of all a.
| God has blessed each, but, especially
| the spiritual aid and sympathy of every.
! one who loves Christ and our church
Pray that God will give glorious success
/ in this fasd1. Church officers, teachers III
/ the Bible school, heads of departments
of church work, members of committees
| church members, will you not, one and
all, as your pastor goes about this duty
put new prayer and enthusiasm into
your duties and, In every possible way
! do all you can to relieve him in his usual
parish work, and to carry forward with
| fresh zeal and strength the spiritual in
terests of our church?'