Correspondence (incoming): begging letters, C

and doing all we could to pay for it. The most of our people being a class not able to pay very much, but have done the best we could.

We still have a debt of $ {12.000 ?}

If you felt you could help us, you would be doing a very very good charitable kindness. I allways have felt if we do as a church what is right and all we can the Lord will in some way help us. I felt this might be his way through your kindness of doing it.

We would be very thankful indeed if you felt you could help us.

I here enclose the picture of our Pastor and our Church. Hoping to hear from you soon.

And very much oblige Mrs A. Chandler 37 3 Ave Long Branch, New Jersey Monmouth Co.

Dec. 11th, 1901

Simpson Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church Long Branch, N.J.

Mrs Stanford Dear Madam.

I just read of your great and good gift to the University.

I felt so impressed as one of the Ladies Aid of our church to write to you and ask your help. If I have done wrong in so doing pardon me.

We needed a new church very much indeed, two years ago we built it, and we have been working and giving

Portrait photograph of

REV. J. F. SHAW, Pastor

[painting of church mentioned in previous letter]

Welcome to our Church Home

before desending [sic] to find my pathway strewn not with flowers, but with the {glares, graces ?} of my loved ones, I am sure this is not interesting to you, however I wanted to tell you how I am situated. I have a house which is morgaged [sic] for $4000, {I secure of rents,?} $47 a month take the insurance, taxes, and interest is very little left. I am not able to maintain myself otherwise I would not ask assistance. Hearing of your munificent beneficiaries I { contrived ?} to ask your assistance, won't you dear Lady help me? The dear Lord (in whom I trust) will surely bless you and yours. I have seen better days, am not from the lower walks of life. Therefore it is harder to bare. I sincerely hope this will meet with your approbation, a little would do one much good. Hoping to hear from you, I await your answer with anxiety

Sincerely Mrs L. N. Chapin