Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1840-11-25
Nov. rs, 1910.

lDS, dS W PfOpeity' Wnou tne
were completed, It appeared that the church
and society owed about one hundred ana
thirty dollars. To cancel this, il was pro-
posed that subscription be raised, which
was responded 10 by many Of the brethren
- liberal manner. The sum needed was
.oon subscribed, and nearly all the old af-
airs were cancelled near the close Of that
vear. But another tax must soon be made
but, and the individual who had had the
most 10 do in arranging and closing the old
matters saw the necessity of having thor
bugh man appointed as collector, that those
who had the old and new taxes coming
against them at about the same time, should
bot let the matter slide along as formerly,
Ind keep the minister and others out of
heir pay. He accordingly nominated a
brother who he thought would close up The
business in season. That brother was chos-
30 collector, and made the effort, bat the
lebtors, in many cases, would not pay over
ia season. The collector became discour-
bged, and handed over the tax bill 10 him
who was No. on old committee. This
Individual could not collect SO as to satisfy
he creditors Of society until into the last
BALI Of that year. When The next annual
meeting ofIhe society came, that indiyid-
lal asked for, and obtained the Office Of
|pllector, that he might ascertain whether
3 could be instrumental in collecting and
nd handing over 10 minister, sexton and
lhers, their just dues, by LIST of January,
pc true set for paying them. He obtained
BE grand ist-carried tito committee they
pade out the tax and the collector carried
to church meeting the last, or last week
10 one in December, and on The opening
the meeting gave notice that he had the
and wished all the taxable members 10
|srry after close OF meeting TO see the
mount Of their taxes, that they might so
range as TO enable the collector 10 settle
9Th the treasurer by the 1st of January
Dot when the blessing was pronounced,
|eery member cleared Cor the door, feeling,
|'he collector thought happy enough not
% be troubled about lrorldly matters! He
Nowever headed some of them, and on
rowing an aged Deacon his tax, was. re-
'ronded 10 BY, :" | rOont pay that tdr-the
|lnister I'll pay, but for the furnaces in
'|e basement Of the meeting house, Pll ner-
4 pay" Said the collector, Deacon, I'll
III at your house; I'll risk your paying"
% this they parted, and in few days he
|Rled, and had chat with the aged broth
when be concluded TO pay his tax, pro-
81 led the collector would guarantee that he
.Iould not be- saddled with an arredr tax
a the same business. This was agreed
n, and The collector left him. BY much
4 Dor, and q readiness on thepart Of some Of
re brethren TO aid, the collector was ena-
n ed, on the 4th Of February, by advancing
a. een dollars Of the sum needed, 10 pay
very debt that he could find Standing
|ganst the society previous TO lst of Janu-
|ary. have good evidence that the col
fction Of this tax cost the collector fifteen
|pllarsnore than il would, had the members
lone as they ought, in regard to tarrying
md arranging matters as requested
nd the whole cost oil settling old and new
Hairs probably was not less than fifty dol
'nfs, in time team and other expenses.
uch Of il entirely unnecessary. But ht
ID the satisfaction of seeing harmony in {
reat measure restored, and valuable access
pms made 10 the church.
The foregoing facts have not been stated
pr the purpose Of exposing any one church
Iut merely TO show the manner in which
Rdny churches transact their pecuniar
patters. Each member acknowledges tha
pc church or the society, formed for PROF
Rgating the Gospel, should pay as the
tgree; but many Of them seem to thin
bat they are not under obligation TO pay UT
they can do il as well as not. ! thin
he collector had an opportunity Of learnin
BE principle on which some members
De church acted. He is Of the firm opir
Dn that the needless expense 10 which
|olector Of church rates is generally pu
|as tendency TO lessen the charity whiC
hight otherwise be exercised towards Il
rethren. He further thinks, that the d
|pquencies Of those who profess religion,
|eglec'ing TO pay their debts when du
hether 10 their minister or to individua
|eneraIly, exerts an anti-chrislian inlluen
q community a, large. fully agree wi
'nE And feel il to be one Of the prac,i
evidences Of true religion, that its pr
essors at least aim TO pay as they agree.