New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-12
DONATION PARTIES.
AN INSTITUTION OF AMERICAN COUN-
TRY LIFE.


have passed beyond that uncertain period known
middle life. 1t is a country institution moro
than a hundred years old and it's origin has
been ascribed 10 various causes and conditions
1t probably originated from the same causes
that made It necessary for the early country
school teacher to board around The teacher
was wanted in the community there little
money 20 induce him or her to remain, and liv-
ing usIs made cheap by the custom Of boarding
around by which the burden was divided
among several members Of the community Tho
donation party also the result of poverty,
and desire on the part Of the poor people 10
help the parson make ends meet. The congrega-
ton which had money enough to do so paid its
minister a living salary but in country towns
where there little money the minister
usually kept his eye On the donation. because
the regular salary was small and uncertain
Farm products. hoop poles and coonskins were
legal tender in The carly days Of the donation
party: the congregations were small. money was
scarce. and the day after the party the
preacher often became trader and carted SONS
Of his donated goods market. where they were
sold or exchanged for more desirable merchan-
disc
The articles were contributed voluntarily and
in order that there might be good show" and
New England neishborly feeling might eclipse
any semblance Of charity. the donors went to IN.
parsons house in body with their gifts and
gave him surprise party" for which he had
looked anxiously. While the poor minister was
usually pleased with the arrangement and ac-
cepted with gratitude and pleasure the gifts OF
his neishhors. he often wished that the articles
might have been sent by messcnser-a hired
man or hired g.-l-bccause the party often
caused more trouble and entailed more expense
than the donation vas worth.
The I'D custom has not changed in its general
character since IL was introduced 1t is the same
today as il vas then. except that The character
Of the Donations has changed with the times,
and while the donors Of 4 hundred years ago
tramp,ed upon and ruined d-fashoned home
made ras carpets and criticised the blue china
on The shelves the present-time donors deal in a
Ike manner With more modern articles
The same difference exists also I'm the charac-
ter Of the donations. The collection Of articles
which finds its way into the home Of the coun-
try pars0n with donation party IS usually a
highly interesting one because Of its variety.
There is everything. from wooden cothespns
and kidding wood 10 angel cake and plush
albums clothing. soap. pickles and live chick
ems patent medicines and wallpaper. fruits and
beans and books II poems things that are
ful In any household. and others that were in the
way in the houses Of the donors. and will remain
a nuisance in the parsons home until he changes
his field u usefulness, when he may forget or
lose them without mourning the displeasure oil
a member Of his flock
But The donation party does not end with
donation to the minister said a venerable dea-
con who had served his time in New England
Those who donate want something for their
money and not satisfied with disturbing the
peace and quiet 81 the parsons home and giving
his furniture and carpets more wear han they
would ordinarily have in year, they stay to
have something and eat up what they have
brought for the minister and what little else
there is I'm the house, and 60 away proud be
cause they ala the right thing by the dominic"
In the communities where fortune has favored
the congregations donation party has enough
pleasant features 20 make UP for the inconyen-
ence. and Plethora coal bins. weil-hiled iarders
and an .nlarg.d balance in the bank are some
u tho taneihl, results.
But these cases are shining exceptions 20 the
rule. and where there i one Il that kind there
are hundreds which leave only an unpleasant
recollection in the backwoods towns donations
are sometimes appraised. in order 70 ascertain
how near the congregation came 10 filing its
contract with the minister. \ member II the
church in speaking If that side II the question
said. Churches often promise 70 pay a min
istor a certain sum and then find out that the
funds are inadequate Then they come together
and figure up the large items which have been
donated Coal wood. hay. poultry and other
live stock are appraised and II the value u
these items makes up the deficit the congrega-
ton feels that IT'S contract has been lived UP 10.
and II the amount is still short they-wcll. they