Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1904-08-26

Lordll give you word to put in about
the collection. II He don't maybe you'll
say somethin' on your own account.
Were badly pressed for the Sabbath
School Fund"
What's the highest sum you've ever
collected on Sabbath. brother?' asked
the minister.
Twenty dollars and ffty-four
cents" / says.
oh" says he. IN bear that in mind
We must try and make 1t more II we
can"
Well. he preached TO us that mornin'
and afternoon. They were very accept
able sermons. both on 'em, and even
Brother Muggridge was stirred to hol-
Ter Amen" when he spoke OF the curses
laid on evildoers. They was awful to
hear. and it did us a power of good, we
as knowed we was of the elect and
hadn't nothin' to fear. Then came the
evenin service. The little chapel was
packed full as it could hold. l al
low II was a sight to make n man feel
joyful.
The ministerd brought in a lot about
Sabbath School toward the end OF his
discourse, and began a-touchin' on the
collection. Then he says. very impress
sive like.
Friends. l want this to be a record
day for your school funds. Now I'm told
that you've never got more than about
S25 on a Sunday here. Well we must
make it more than that tonight. This
mornins and this afternoons collections
amount to exactly $3.50. Now, I'll tell
you what I'll do to encourage you in
giving TO the Lord. I brought IS bill
with me today. l didn't put 1t into the
plate this morning, didn't put 1t into the
plate this afternoon. It's in my pocket
now. Now, II you make the total sum to-
night up to $i5, I'll give my IS and
make 1t up to $50 But II you don't" he
says. a-smilin' at us, that IS bill goes
back home in my pocket Let us sing
the hymn, friends and see what you
can dor
Deacon Brown was a-settin' next to
me. He nudged my arm.
That's his game, is it?" he whispers
Now l knows what they meant down
at dorchester when they told me to look
out for his five dollars Wen never do
It, and he knows he's safe Look at the
grin on his facet!
Deacon" l says, I'VE must get that
five dollars out of him somehow. Don't
miss nary man, woman, nor child"
Trust me-" he says.
1t was the custom of us two deacons
to take the plates round while the hymn
was bein' sung, and then to go to the
vestry and count the collection, after
which one of us 'ud put down the total
on a slip OF paper and hand 1t up to the
the pulpit. We had a longish hymn this
particular night. and there were several
verses to be sung when me and Deacon
Brown began a-countin' out the coins.
When We was done, we looked at each
other. Then Brown said
The folks has tried their best, but It
II amt no use"
Mine dollars and thirty-three cents
short of S45," l says. He'll take his IS
back with him after all. Put down the
figures, Deacon"
He out with his pencil. Then he stop
ped short for minute. They'd just be-
gun the last verse.
'I'll tell you what" he says, well
have another try 10 get it out of him."
"How?"
'Why. look here. Deacon. Did you no.
tice he keeps his eyes shut tight when
he's offerin' prayer"
"Wen?" I says.
well he's sure to put up a prayer
after the hymn before the benediction.
That's our time. You and me will slip
round quiet-like among the folks and
get some of 'em to give a bit more. If
they won't give, Wen get 'em to lend it,
But that $933 We must have You
tackle Mrs. Allen, and Joe Birch, and
Brother Muggridge, and one or two 9TH
ers. Whisper to 'em how the thing
stands, but don't let him hear what's
goin' on. I'll do my best. Wait in here
till he starts offerin prayer"
All, Deacon Brown was a sharp old
chap, he was, and I agreed to his plan.
There was silence for moment after
the hymn, but We kept clinkin the coins
to make him think we hadn't done count
in. Then we heard him say;
Friends let us pray!"
We slipped out. Sure enough his eyes
was shut tight. ] went up to Mrs. Allen
first, and told her how things stood.
There's quarter for you, Deacon"
she says, handin' me the money.