The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-05-30
BURNED NOTES
IN The CHURCH
ST. PAUL'S FREE OF DEBT.
SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING HELD
TO CELEBRATE EVENT.

Tribute Paid the Indepe ndent Soci-
ETY. for Its Work in Behalf of Par
ish-ShOrt Review of Organization
Made by Rev. G. A. Ottmann, Rec
tor of the Church-NOtes Were
Burned in Front of ChanceI Rail
by Senior Warden G. Wallace
Howard.
On a table set in front of the chan
eel rail in st. Paurs Church notes to
the value of $4,000, representing the
cancelled indebtedness of the church,
were burned last night. The incident
was a part of the programme in a
service of Thanksgiving to celebrate
the freeing from all Indebtedness of
the church and parish.
The money to pay this indebtedness
was raised through the untiring eff
forts of the Independent Society of the
church, and to that organization Rev.
G. A. Ottmann, the rector paid a high
tribute He spoke also of the excel
lent work that had been done by the
Chancel Guild and by the Parish Aid
Society.
After the customary announcements
had been made, and evening services
celebrated. Rev. Mr.. Ottmann an
nounced that it was not his purpose
10 preach a sermon, but that if such
were his intention he would choose
as his text Galatians, WHO, LAS we
have therefore opportunity let us do
good unto all men, especially unto them
who are of the household of faith"
Work Needed in Church.
In church work and church life"
said Mr.. Ottmann, there are a great
many problems that the average per-
son does not know, or does not con-
slider, and for many years there has
been much experiment and hard work
in trying to find the best methods of
carrying on this work. This does not
mean the religious part of the work
for in the church there is much more
than preaching, and ministering to the
sick, sorrowful and suffering. There
often comes time when the rector
needs to be a business man as we'll as
the spiritual head of the church"
Referring to the experiments in car
rying on the church's work he men
toned the renting of pews as one
means of raising the necessary money
and the free church depending on vol
latter he said brings on the men and
women of the congrega ton responsible
tiles that they do not always realize.
Through the mercy of God" said
Mr.. Ottmann, some years ago there
was established St Pauls free church
/ shall not refer to the history of st.
Matthews Mission, though l want to
express the gratitude of st. PauPs
Church to its mother church, St.
Johns. In 1892 this parish became an
independent one and then the life of
ST. Paurs Church really began. The
number of men and women in the
church were but few, probably 100, and
the parish was heavily encountered,
carrying a debt of about So 00O There
was much to be done, and in taking up
this burden the congregation was as
Stunning great deal of responsibility
but there had always been in this
parish spirit of independence,
bravery, and a strength to do any
work, and to meet any opposition, and
so to-day, thank God, the church
stands without a debt, is we'll equipped
for its work. and has a list of more
than 300 persons communicates of the
parish"
Tribute to Independent Society.
He said it was not his purpose to
explain how it had all been done and
to mention each of the various organi-
cations that had contributed to keep up
and carry on the work, though there
was one organization of which he
would have something to say.
Some ten years ago. he said, there
vas begun a movement for an organ
lied effort~to pay the debt of the
church. At that time there was a
debt of $4,000, interest on it was due,
and new organ was needed. A num-
Der of men and women undertook to
lift this debt. and their effort has re-
suited in the payment Of $3.50 for the
organ, $425 in interest, 5000 for irsur-
ance and $4,000 to cancel twelve notes
Of $3.50 each. or a total indebtedness of
more than $4,000.
The Independent Society on the first
OF May paid the last of these notes
and to-day the church stands as a
parish free from debt. Before the
world tonight we are gathered here
10 commemorate that event ami to
return our thanks to Almighty God"
Mr.. Gilman referred to the bequest
recently left the church by Mrs. ]. H.
M. Clinch. but said the money had
not been received. nor did he know
When 1t would be received, but that
IL was one Of the reasons for which
thanks should be returned that before
this amount had been received the
members of the parish, by their own
ana unaided efforts. should have lifted
all debts from the church.
AT the close of the address Mr.. c.
wallace Howard, senior warden, burn
ca the notes in sight of he congrega-
ton, while the doxology was being |
sung The services were concluded |
with the singing of Go, Labor On"
L.