Debt of Honor Campaign Brochure and Envelope Mailed to L. H. Huey

Synopsis

An envelope and fundraising brochure from the Debt of Honor Commission of the General Council of the Congregational and Christian Churches, 287 Fourth Avenue, New York, mailed in 1938 (Madison Square Station postmark, 1½-cent Harding stamp) to Mr. L. H. Huey, Wedowee, Alabama. The brochure, titled 'Here's Need ... among our own ministers,' appeals for $1,517,000 to create a fund that would maintain 'Original Plan Annuities' for about 1,400 aging ministers and widows. It includes a reproduction of the campaign poster 'His Duty Done / Our Duty - A Debt of Honor' and a long list of Commission members, with Charles R. Brown (Chairman), Roger W. Babson (Honorary Chairman), Alfred C. Howell (Treasurer) and Carlton M. Sherwood (Director). The item is not about the water system; it appears to be personal mail of L. H. Huey, a Wedowee resident who is also listed in the town's 1939 sanitary survey, and was kept among the town papers.

Key facts

• Mailed 1938 from New York to Mr. L. H. Huey, Wedowee
• Campaign goal: $1,517,000
• Fund to supply 27 per cent of ministers' annuities then paid from apportionment
• Supports about 1,400 aging ministers and widows
• Chairman Charles R. Brown; Director Carlton M. Sherwood

HERE'S NEED
....among our own ministers
Debt of Honor Commission
General Council of the Congregational and Christian Churches
287 Fourth Avenue   New York

TO ASSURE THE OLD AGE INCOMES OF THESE VETERANS IN CHRISTIAN SERVICE

The Debt of Honor Campaign represents the determination of Congregational and Christian laymen and active ministers to assure these older friends that Original Plan Annuities will not be diminished by one cent.

In a single year, 1938, recognition and reward for long-time devoted service can be - will be - given, by creating a special fund that will maintain these modest annuities until the last member of the Original Plan passes on.

The sum required to discharge this Debt of Honor is $1,517,000. The principal and income of this Debt of Honor Fund will provide the 27 per cent of annuities now secured annually by grants from the current apportionment. Hence, such a Fund releases more money annually for the missionary and educational work of Congregational and Christian Churches, without lessening the security and neglecting the needs of the denomination's older ministers.

Here's Need - to be met with the gifts of those who have a little margin of income above need and who warmly repay the friendship and service the Congregational and Christian ministry has brought to them.
[...]

Physical description

Envelope torn at flap and upper right, with tape residue/staining on back. Brochure printed on salmon/pink stock, good condition.

Reading notes

Exact postmark day/month illegible; only year 1938 readable. Relationship to the water-department archive unclear beyond L. H. Huey being a Wedowee resident.