“5. That any persons who prefer to devote their offerings to any other benevolent object than the one already suggested, be allowed to do so by giving timely notice of their desire.
“6. That arrangements be made for furnishing cents in exchange for larger coins, so that all may be enabled to give as small sums as they wish.
“7. That an account be kept with each holder of an envelope showing the amount given by each.
“8. That some person be appointed by the president to superintend the execution of this plan.”
Its Object.—We desired not so much to raise a large sum of money as to cultivate the habit of giving with thoughtfulness and regularity. The value of this habit we sought to impress upon our scholars in several prayer-meeting talks when the subject was under consideration. If each one gave only one cent a week, the habit of giving would be acquired, and this would be worth acquiring. We wished also to encourage the idea that benevolent giving is a fitting act of Divine worship. Our offerings were made at the weekly school prayer-meeting on Friday afternoon, and were always preceded by a short prayer of consecration from the president.
Its Freedom.—So far as possible the word “pledge” was avoided in presenting the matter to the school. Each person was asked to consider carefully how much he was able and willing to give. The handing in of a statement of his resolve to give so much per week was designed chiefly to secure a thoughtful decision on the part of each one. If any preferred not to do this they could still receive an envelope and give what they liked from week to week. The keeping of the record was not for the purpose of dunning delinquents; this was never done. Undoubtedly, however, the mere fact that the record was kept proved a stimulus to regularity in making the offerings, and made it possible to tell any donor at any time how much he had paid or had yet to pay. If any one desired to change the amount of his offering, or to discontinue it altogether, he was met with no remonstrance. While it was suggested that the offerings be devoted to the debt of the A. M. A., full opportunity was given to each one to contribute to any other object that he might select. The scholars were especially urged not to be ashamed to give a small sum if they could not give more. In a word, the whole management of the plan was designed to be helpful rather than dictatorial or inquisitive.
Its Details.—These may be skipped by those not specially interested. One thousand strong Manilla envelopes, of the size represented below, were bought for eighty-five cents, and five hundred of them were printed, with the dates of the twenty-five weekly offerings, at an expense of one dollar. A blank cash book, with stiff covers, was bought for twenty-five cents, and a conductor’s punch for a dollar and a quarter. Thus, the cost of the outfit was but $3.35, and we have the book and punch for indefinite use, and envelopes enough for another year or more.
There being no cents in general circulation in Atlanta, several dollars’ worth were procured from the Post Office. Every Friday morning, for half an hour before school, the “money-changer” sat at his table in one of the school halls and gave pennies in exchange for nickels and dimes. The sight of him, by the way, proved a very serviceable reminder to the scholars that the day of the offering had come.
Each person was provided with only one envelope, to be used over and over again. In case of loss a new one was cheerfully given. On the envelope, between the columns of printed dates, are written his name, the number of the name in the record book, and the page where found, and a letter indicating the school-room or department to which he belongs. On the inside of the flap is written the number of cents he is to give weekly, or an interrogative mark if no definite sum has been stated. When the holder of the envelope receives it again, he finds a little hole punched opposite the date which his last payment has covered; this constitutes his receipt, and the unpunched dates show how many more offerings he has to make.
