The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-07-16
BURNED THE MORTGAGE
PEOPLES CHURCH CONGREGATION
DESTROYS REDEEMED EVIL
DENCEs OF DEBT
LARGE AUDIENCE ATTENDS
Many From Other Determinations
Participate In the FelicitOus
Growth
Reviewed.

1t was a rosy light reflected by the en-
bers Of the burning mortgage on the Peo-
pies, church held in the hands of a
churchman as it was reduced to ashes
on the rostrum before large congrega-
ton last evening. Indeed, to the men,
bers of Peoples church, the future SEEM
ed equally rosy and. full of promise for
better things. AS an occasion for rejoic-
ing the burning of the church mortgage
was notable event, inasmuch as the
flaming parchment represented $22, 900 In
material things.
The large auditorium was very well
filed with those representing many diff
ferent denominations, and the service was
one of congratulation, song and prayer.
Rev. George E. Sohr, of the German
church, delivered the invocation, followed
by reading of the Scriptures by Rev
Samuel G. Smith.
DR.. Smith, in introducing the subject
of the mortgage stated that for many
years it had been barrier In the way
of rapid progress, and 1t was a privilege
and a pleasure to be able to hold be-
fore the congregation in fiery covering the
last evidence of bondage. Within the
last two days the last dollar of the S22,-
600 had been paid and the bond given
by certain members of the church was
likewise to be consumed. Two mem
bers of the church, Messrs Brown and
Swenson, came forward and approached
two candelabra. Holding between the
flames the two documents, they became
quickly ignited and were soon In ashes.
The audience gave hearty applause as
the remains We're laid on a silver plate,
and rose and sang praise God From
Whom All Blessings Flow"
Oscar Hallam was the first speaker of
the evening. Being the chairman of the
committee having the lifting of the debt
IN charge, he was particularly qualified
to speak on the subject Of the late but
not lamentable mortgage He took no
credit to the committee, but stated that
1t was the generous assistance given by
the churchmen, exemplifed in a materi-
al way. The spirit was, the speaker. said.
the same in all cases of assistance that
came through the committeeman of self
sacrificing generosity. The people who
assisted in lifting the debt were, he be-
neyed' quite as much benefited as the
institution that received their gifts. Dur
ing twelve years $200, 600 was contributed
for the building and support Of PEOPLES
church. Its original debt, inherited from
the hard times that quickly followed the
completion of the church. gradually WAS
reduced until the last payment had been.
made, and the church was given a clear
Dill financially. Church erection was one
or the departments of progress in mod
ern civilization. Mr.. Hallam asserted,
that any church that was not thoroughly
ailVe TO the advancing conditions, and
d1d not go out on the firing line. could
be considered unprogressive.
Plymouth Congregational church was
represented by its pastor, ReV. George
NJ. Morrison, who brought congratuIa-
tions from the oldest congregation of
that denomination in the city. AS the lln
oihclai representative of CONGREGATIONAL
lists he extended hearty congratuIation
and the right hand of Fellowship to the
rejoicing congregation. In point of resi-
denee he was less than the least of the
saints of the Sanity City, though he ap-
preciated fully the achievement in lifting
SO large an incumbrance. He might. AT
later date, attempt to borrow the secret
of the process.
Mr. Morrison referred to DR.. Smiths
long tenure as pastor of Peoples church
as one or the evidences of remarkable
success. -
In introducing E. w. Peet, DR.. Smith
stated that the next speaker was not in
Ylted to speak because he knew some
thlng of mortgages, nor because he was
the son of Congregat minister.
although he had back-slidden from thar
high estate and landed in the Episcopal
church. He was, however, selected to
express the mingled interest ana appre-
citation of the people of st. Paul
Mr.. Peet referred to the very simple
ceremony, having. as he said, no pyro-
technical display although of enough i'm
portance to warrant almost any kind OF
a demonstration on any day except Sun
day. He expressed congratulation to mis-
auditors, and felt assured that every
man, woman and child in the congre-
cation had a share in the bonfire which
had just taken place. Mr. Peet told of
the many benefits the church had brought
to st, Paul through the use of its large
and spacious auditorium. The NatioraI
educational association, the National w.
c. I. U. and last. though not least, the
Republican state convention was held in
the church, to say nothing of innumar-
able concerts and lectures calculated to
develop the intellect of the people. The
intellectual Development made possible
through the church had been very
marked and was alone a very Important
mission.
Rev. Samuel G. Smith, for thirteen
years pastor of Peoples church as well
as being it's promoter and builder, con
cluaeu the exercises with q short adj
dress which he pleased to term prophetic
rather than reminiscent. He took ex-
ception, however, to the nice things that
had been said about him. The church
was unique in that 1t had never received
dollars aid during it's life from any
church or church society. Further, the
church was unique inasmuch as It was
the only church in the United States
that had been established in a down-tow,,
location and rad acquired property. DR.
Smith spoke OF the original debt of ST.. O00
and its reduction, a gradual but sure
process. as time had proven. DR.. Smith
said in closing: 81 was asked by Mr.
Peet How did you ever manage to raise
so large debt2' l replied that our PEG.
ple were plain people and did not spend
very much on their vices One of the
secrets of the life of this church is its
free faith
UNION CHURCH SERVICES.