United States or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Theron knew this "debt-raiser," and had seen him at work a burly, bustling, vulgar man who took possession of the pulpit as if it were an auctioneer's block, and pursued the task of exciting liberality in the bosoms of the congregation by alternating prayer, anecdote, song, and cheap buffoonery in a manner truly sickening.
Your wife has been sweet enough to ask me to move my trunk over here in the morning, so that you'll see enough of me and to spare." Theron looked falteringly into her face, as he strove for words which should sufficiently mask the disgust this intelligence stirred within him. A debt-raiser in the town was bad enough!
"Not a breath!" exclaimed Theron, mournfully. "Well," he added upon reflection, "I'm sorry, downright sorry. The debt-raiser seems to me about the lowest-down thing we produce. I've heard of those Soulsbys; I think I saw HIM indeed once at Conference, but I believe SHE is the head of the firm." "Yes; she wears the breeches, I understand," said Gorringe sententiously.
It seemed that last year the receipts had fallen just under $2,000, and they now confronted the necessity of making good this deficit during the coming year, as well as increasing the regular revenues. Without much discussion, it was agreed that they should endeavor to secure the services of a celebrated "debt-raiser," early in the autumn, and utilize him in the closing days of a revival.
They lack the worldly arts. As the Discipline commands, they avoid the evil of putting on gold and costly apparel, and taking such diversions as cannot be used in the name of the Lord Jesus." "Well of course if you prefer the 'debt-raiser' " Theron began, and took the itemized account from Gorringe's knee as an excuse for not finishing the hateful sentence.
The debt-raiser shook her head again the prompt, decisive movement, so like a busy man of affairs. "No," she answered. "He's doing supply down on the Hudson this week, but he'll be here in time for the Sunday morning love-feast. I always like to come on ahead, and see how the land lies. Well, good-night! Your head will be all right in the morning."
In Protestant churches we have the professional Debt-Raiser, and the Evangelist who recruits by hypnotic Tetzel methods. In the Catholic Church receipts are still given for money paid, vouching that the holder shall participate in masses and prayers, his name be put in a window, or engrossed on a parchment to be placed beneath a cornerstone.
A debt-raiser quartered in the very parsonage! he ground his teeth to think of it. Alice read his hesitation aright. "Sister Soulsby went to the hotel," she hastily put in; "and Loren Pierce was after her to come and stay at his house, and I ventured to tell her that I thought we could make her more comfortable here."
Word Of The Day