The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-11-02
Let's Take Up a Collection
ay CHARLES If. RANDY


 Sometime ago a story went the rounds to the effect that two shipwreclSed mariners, who had been tempest tossed in an open boat for several days, realiz- ing that the end was nearing. decided to make preparations for their approach ing doom. Jack" said the elder sailor, there seems nothing else for us to do but offer up our prayers to the Almighty and ask forgiveness for our sins. Sup pose you pray
 Tom, I have not said a prayer since was a kid" replied .ack, and l don't know, what to say" rb - fe That is exactly nr> fix, but as our time is getting short we ought to do something religious
 Jack pondered deepls. for few mo- ments, then his face frightened and he said II have it, Tom, let's take up d collection
 That collections are an important part in present-day religion is evidenced by the fact that many of the most noted evangelists will rather take a gamble on a special collection for their services than conduct a revival for a stated amount Whether this is for spiritual reasons or merely an up-to-date business speculation has not yet been made clear to the public. But be that as it may, collections and religious services so to- gether.
 Among some of the colored congrega- tioas of this city it is the custom to start the services with a collection, but instead of passing the collection plates or boxes, each communcant is required to march down the aisle and deposit his or her amount on a table placed in front of the pastors desk. The pastor gen. orally stands and exhvrrs the congrega- tion to give to the Lord" which not only places him in a position to locate the contributing members of the church, but also the amount contributed. Whle ! this method works weI in the main, it 1 landed certain colored pastor and DOT ] ton of his flock in jail the other day. with subsequent trial before Judge | H. B. Abernethy
 l The case was based on charge pre- | ferred by Preacher Johnsing against one | of his deacons, Samson Small, for dis turbing public worship. and the evidence brought out the following facts:
 Bre'r Johnsing was taking up the usual | collection on last Sunday night and de- spite his eXhortations and lamentations l the congregation was slow in responding. Seated in the front pews were several 1 sisters who were respiendant in many ! hued apparel. The gay colors got on the preachers nerves. and as none of them | had made a peace offering, he proceeded 1 to lambast them for ,neir vanity and ! declared that they would rather spend six bits for an Easter bonnet than to contribute a dime to provide their spir- | itual shepherd with the necessary food
 and raiment. Despite his pointed re- | marks the dusky damseis in the multi | colored raiment failed to respond and then his wrath boiled over. In the course 1c f11rfI1 par,1ar rl n- sinuated that their conduct was not as 1 chaste as it should be- At this point l up jumped Deacon Small.
 Does ah understank yo' toe cast re- /! collections on nah wife, what is sittin right here?" he demanded.
 'If in de cose of nah remarks ah has seen ftten toe chastise CT member of mah flock on her short comins, hit are mail privilege, cause de Lawd chastentn
 those dat he loveth.''
 .Ah ain't talkin' bout de Lawd ah is talkin' bout yo', an ah wants toe say right heah rat ah demands CT con- traction of de situations yo' has made. ' At this time the wife jumped up. "Did ah heah yo' ~Ay dat de Lawd loves CT cheerful giver'?" she asked.
 "Yo' understandin on dat pint is bet ter dan yo' response toe hit"
 | Den de Lawd sho' gwine ter love me for de fust time ah gets CT chance ah is gwine ter give yo such cheerful lick with CT skillet cat will lay yo out
 At this time the pars@~. threatened them with arrest for disturbing worship and
 the irate couple left the church. vowine to get even with the shepherd for his | remarks. On the following day the par 1 son had the couple arrested and the trial
 came up before Judge Abernethy. The parson did not deny his ungallant re- marks, and attempted to take refuge un- | der his cloth.
 i Nothing doing in that line, parson, remarked Judge Alb at the close of the l trial From the evidence you were | clearly the agggessor As collection l seems to be the cause of this lawsuit i it is fitting that a collection should end | it Sheriff Jack, get your hat and take | up collection, but pass everybody but the parson. who must contribute such an amount as constitutes the costs of this proceedings.'