Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: offerings

"Gen. Wayne Herman. True loves offering."

Church groups and other organizations used variations of this poem to invite members to "Birthday Party" gatherings that were both social get-togethers and fundraising events. See additional examples from 1896 and 1910 (below). Birthday Offering, will be held in the Social Hall of Cookman M. E. Church, October 15, 1912, by the Epworth League in honor of the 45th birthday of George W. Young. Upon this card, a little sack, We give to you with pleasure; Please either send or bring it back, Having filled it from your treasure. To put in pennies were are told, As many years as you are old; And if your name in public be read, We promise the number will never be said. Refreshments will be served to all, and we kinly invite you to make a call; And earnestly pray that the Lord will bless And crown the work with abundant success. The proceeds are for the benefit of the society. If not convenient to attend, please forward sack with your offering.

"Notice! Pictured Truth Meeting. East Bapt. Ch. Thursday afternoons at 4 o'clock. Magic Lantern Views. April 14, 1892, Pilgrim's Progress. Admission 3 cts. for children's Easter offering. Meeting for young and old." A ticket for a Maundy Thursday magic lantern slide show at the East Baptist Church, Philadelphia, Pa., April 14, 1892. "Pictured Truth" in this context seems to refer to the same sort of activities that Robert F. Y. Pierce described three years later in his book, Pictured Truth: A Hand-book of Blackboard and Object Lessons , (New York: Fleming H. Revell, 1895), which suggests the use of blackboard drawings (also called chalk talks) and everyday ordinary items (objects) to relate religious messages and lessons. Or perhaps it was just the magic lantern slide show depicting scenes from Pilgrim's Progress , John Bunyan 's Christian allegory, that was supposed to provide pictures of religious truth as well as raise funds for children to donate during the Easter services that were held three days later on April 17. To attend those relgious services on Easter Sunday 1892, which also included baptisms , churchgoers had to present "cards of admission" (tickets) for either the morning or afternoon services. For examples of the cards used that Sunday, see Admission Cards, Easter Sunday, East Baptist Church, Philadelphia, Pa., April 17, 1892 .