The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1903-12-01
MAKING CHURCH MEMBERS GIVE
The Rev. A. B. Simpson Tells Of Raising Millions.

nacle. On this topic Mr.. Simpson talks
/ readily.
But when it comes to the other ques-
ton of how he induces people to turn
their pockets inside out for foreign mis-
sious, he is not so satisfactory. If he
! possesses hypnotic powers, he certainly
manages to conceal the fact when out
of the pulpit. He speaks simply and
without rhetorical ffourishes. His
manner is sincere and kind, without
being in the slightest degree impressive.
He never appears to be making an
effort. And yet there are few men more
| energetic.
| AS an older generation will remem-
| ber something like quarter of a CEN
| fury ago Mr. Simpson was pastor of
| the Thirteenth Street Presbyterian
Church, and working along in respect
able, unconditional groove. He wanted
free seats and evangelistic services,
though, and the majority of his congre-
cation didn't: Then Mr.. Simpson bade
the Presbyterian fold farewell and be-
gan holding evangeIistic services in
theatres and gospel tents. That was
twenty years ago. Afterward the Tab
ernacle was started.
When asked about church collections
Mr.. Simpson was silent for a moment.
Then he replied:
1.-THE simplest explanation can give
of the large collections we take up
from time to time is that the passion
of giving has been aroused in the heart
of nearly every member of the congre-
gation-of the poorest as well as the
richest, the youngest as well as the
Oldest"
But how is it that you can arouse
passion that seems to be almost
dormant in the other congregations,
even though they are under the care of
faithful and efficient pastors? Is it by
appealing to the emotions?"
mo. 1 appeal rather to the con-
science. The fiery logic of truth with an
earnest point out that to withhold a
proportion of ones income from the
Lords work is breach of trust. / use
plain language and try to make my
meaning perfectly clear in the most
matter of fact way.
"On the occasion of the last big col
lection in this church / preached from
the text, We are verify guilty regard
ing our brother / had intended after
appealing to the conscience of my hear
ers to close with one or two illustrations
that might, as you would say, stimu-
late the emotions. But my intention
was frustrated. All of sudden my
voice gave out, because, 1 suppose, L
had been using it numerically the
week before at a convention. So 1 sat
down without finishing the sermon and
with the remark: I guess have talk
ed long enough
Almost at once a woman sitting
near, without waiting for the plate to
be passed, stepped up and laid SIS on
the platform. And that was the begin
ming Of one of the largest collections
we ever had in the church. But the
giving is very seldom spasmodic.
"Only this morning I was told that
an organization of fifty young girls in
the church, all working girls, none of
whom, I suppose, earns more than SO
a week, has pledged itself to give 3d.,
000 or enough to pay the salaries of
three missionaries. That this will mean
rigid self-denial to some Of them-the
cutting out of ice cream and ribboEs-
I am pretty sure. But I haven't
doubt those girls will keep their word.
They have acquired the passion for CIV
ing
ITO my mind there is no other secret
in our big collections. New York Sun