Benevolent Contributions

At the annual meeting in April, 1904, Mr. Richard B. Borden, treasurer, presented the following summary of the benevolent contributions of the Church for thirty-seven years, -the period of his official service to that date.

A compilation from the Church records is added (in totals), as ascertained from the annual reports of Henry H. Fish, treasurer from 1843 to 1867.

Central Church does not boast of its liberality and charities; but these annals would be incomplete without some mention of them. It has ever been mindful of its duty in this respect, as the appointment of collectors in the very early years of its organization sufficiently testify.

It has been true to the teachings of Dr. Thurston and his successors in the pastoral office, who have ever stimulated the spirit of giving, even to the point of sacrifice if necessary. The streams of missionary interest and support have been kept flowing, that the rich harvests, opening on every hand, might be gathered into the storehouse of our Lord.

Report of R. B. Borden

Church Treasurer, April 1, 1904

The Central Congregational Church has given through its treasurer, R. B. Borden, during thirty-seven years from April 1, 1867, to April 1, 1904, as follows:

American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions

The American Missionary Association

The Congregational Home Missionary Society

Bible Cause .

Boston Seaman's Friend Society

American Congregational Union
Congregational Education Society

$33,433.27

8,506.02

17,180.76

1,428.75

999.64

1,657.02

2,433.35

Fall River Hospital, now Union Hospital in Fall River.

1,784.57

The Benevolent Gifts passing through the hands of Henry H. Fish, treasurer from 1843 to 1867, as given in his annual reports, amount to

Making a grand total of

41,714.24

$127,946.71

By way of comparison, I note that the average annual gifts for the first eleven years, 1867-78, were $3,133.50; and for the last eleven years, 1893-1904, were $2,858.62.

The amount received by the treasurer does not fully or fairly represent the gifts of our membership. Many gifts were given direct, amounting to some thousands of dollars. The American Board shared largely in such gifts.

In addition, the ladies of the Church have, together with those of the First Church, paid the salary of Miss Seymour, their missionary at Harpoot, since 1869; and have frequently sent to her valuable boxes and sums of money. In recent years the amount given by our ladies has been, on account of salary, one hundred and eighty dollars per annum.

In 1899, it was voted to assume the salary of a missionary to be appointed by the American Board, the missionary to be adopted by Rev. and Mrs. George W. Hinman were assigned to us, they having just entered upon their work and to be located in China. They

us.

represented us for four years, and our payments toward their salaries were from eight hundred to eleven hundred dollars per annum. Then the United Society of Christian Endeavor applied to them to take the entire charge of their work in China,- they being especially fitted for it. It seemed best by the American Board to sanction the change, and the result was the severing of a most happy association with our Church.

In 1878, owing to the financial distress which befell our city, and the debt of the Church being over one hundred thousand dollars with interest on it running six thousand to seven thousand dollars annually, the Weekly Offering system was adopted, the receipts to apply to the caring for the church finances, unless otherwise designated by the donor. For eight years, all contributions were made through the weekly offerings only, with the single exception of annual collections for the Children's Home of Fall River, which have been taken every year for twenty-nine years.

Sunday, February 1, 1880, was spent, from 10.30 A.M. to 11.30 P.M., in continuous service, in an attempt to lift the debt on the Church, which was about one hundred and twelve thousand dollars, and against which it held property estimated at thirty-two thousand dollars in value, leaving a net of eighty thousand dollars wanted. At 11.30 P.M. seventy-six thousand dollars (a few thousand had been pledged by friends of the Church) was announced as raised, and the balance it was assured would be provided for by absent members. Three years' time was given in which to make payments, and interest was to be paid on subscriptions after the first year. Few churches were ever blessed with such a day.

Vested Funds, Legacies, Etc.

THE Central Church has been made a recipient of legacies to an inconsiderable amount, perhaps not over ten thousand dollars in all. The income from these vested funds is expended under the direction of the board of Deacons (by specific vote of the Church) and is used for the support of a free bed in the "Union Hospital in Fall River," and in the care and relief of the sick and destitute in our membership.