The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-12-04
A LARGE
COLLECTION.
The Pastor and Members
of Epw0rth Respond
Generously.

worth NJ. +. Church last evening when
q special collection service was held. AL.
though it was announced that such 9
service would be held, it did not apparent.
~ deter any OF the members OF the church
and friends from attending. On the
other hand there were not seats enough
to accommodate all the persons who de.
sired to be present.
The efficient pastor OF the church Rev.
Francis Burgette Short had charge Of the
service and proved irresistible as q
money raiser. He gave no end OF money
himself and apparently has innumer-
able friends who take an interest in his
church.
In opening ths service he stated that
he had come to Epworth Church with
fear and trembling two and half years
ago, when there was q mortgage on the
church Of $l3,50O. He went before the
company which held the mortgage and
got them to give the congregation thirty
days time before they would sell the
church. He then went to see some OF
bis friends, who are not members Of any
church, and they agreed to gee things
held above water for twelve months, go
as to give everybody chance to show
themselves.
He told an anecdote about o boy who
was discovered placing four dozen eggs
under hen, by bis mother, and upon
being questioned said he wanted TO zee
the hen spread herself.
Rev. Short said this was a chance for
bis auditors to spread themselves. He
declared that they had gathered together
for specific purpose and were going to
achieve 1t before they left the churce If it
took till midnight. He remarked that If
the young men desired to speak with
their swesthearts before the service was
over, If it proved lengthy one, he
would have the sexton light up the down
stairs and they could sit down there.
Before starting the collecting he said
he would thank his auditors for the con-
tributions they were going to give. He
spoke in humorous manner about the
man who would leave the church with
out giving one cent, saying that he hated
a stingy man and that be hoped he
wouldn't be able to sleep till Christmas
eve.
Rev. Short called every man and
woman on the official board of the church
to the chancel railing. He then offered
a short prayer. He now formally started
the collecting by drawing 500 in notes
from his pocket and, presenting 1t to the
clerk, saying he gave it as pastor of the
church and that it was the happiest con-
tribution he ever made.
He then called on the local preacher
of the church, John White, who con-
tributed $40, and then on every member
Of the official board.
The whole amount contributed by the
official board was SOL.
He appointed various members to take
charge OF the different aisles and "charge
upon the enemy" After portion OF
the pews had been visited it was found
that 81, sos had been contributed andRev.
Short ordered the singing of the Long
Metre Doxology. 1t was sung with
will. Contributions continued to come
in very lively and when Rev. Short had
placed 81, 90l on the blackboard on the
platform, he remarked that the election
returns were coming in and that cash
and family had been elected.
The amount of contributions finally
crept to 81 $3.50, and as it wanted Just ten
minutes till 8 o'clock, Rev. Short de-
clared that he wanted 81, 900 by 8 O'Clock
and must have it. The amount was OBJ
tanned by 8 o'clock and the doxology
sung. The 5000 in cash had been raised
in just one hour.
Rev. Short sprung surprise on the
audience by drawing from his pocket a
paper and announcing that "Brother
Melvin and wife" had contributed q
check for $500. The doxology was again
sung.
Rev. Short again went down into his
pockets and pulled out $40 bill, which
he said, "Mr. Massey, the policeman"
had given him, and next pulled out $40,
which he said was from somebody else.
Later OH he announced that his Sunday
school would give $40. The total amount
had now reached s., 422.
Rev. Short then stated that the Misses
Cash, who don't belong to Epworth
Church, to whom he had referred the
previous Sunday, had each given $50. A
little later on he pulled $40 from a
pocket, which he said he had found.
He soon followed this by producing
from pocket $50 be said a man had
given him saying he had no use for it.
Further on he got $50 from a pocket say
ing his uncle Sam had contributed it. lie
stated that he had made an agreement
with Bro. George Todd, whereby the
latter was to contribute $25 if s., 900 was
raised. A basket collection netted $l5.
By this time $2,700 in cash had been
raised and the Doxology was sung.
Rev. Short then started to get subscrip.
tions. He said his class would contribute
$50, and later on added $40 more.
Rev. DR.. Grove had entered and taken
a seat ON the pulpit, and looking at the
pile Of money Rev. Short said to him,
"How would you like to have that pileY
81 would" but added moment later,
"No, / wouldn't; l would rather my
church should have it,"
Presiding Elder Watt had also come in
during the service and Rev, Short humor-
ously remarked that DR.. Watt had better
look out or he would be presiding elder
next year, and then said, "No, would
not change positions with you would
not give up Epworth for any other
and if you don't send me back,
I'll come back anyway"
Five hundred dollars was raised by |
Miss Florence Walton, Of
sang "The Holy City," in
q most pleasing manner. Rev. Short
then announced that the mortgage had
been reduced to only $1,000.
Drs. Watt and Grove made few re-
marks and the service closed with the
singing of "When the Roll is Called up
Yonder" and the pronouncing OF the