Litchfield enquirer., 1844-02-22
CARD

.s a caption so common Tn our weekly periodicals, that some may not degn to read what Is said under this title, while it may be regarded by others kind of fulsome fattery, or vain boastmg, polite begging. But they who can better understand the grateful emotions which swell the bosom of the pastor who is permitted to experience and record the kind beneactioes ofhis people, so happily cal culated to cheer him onward in his arduous work , will find in these brief testimonials important meaning. They here find facts which speak vol umes in favor of the harmony and prosperity of our churches facts which show that the wise and be- nevolent usages of our Puritan ancestors, are not forgotten by their descendants, that they too are pursuing a course which has so long evinced its power to strengthen and Perpetuate the bonds of union between pastor and people, and thus to pro- mote their temporal and spiritual prosperity. So long as the people by their acts of liberality and kindness continue to press their pastors with in- creased obligation to fidelity and affection there will be little ground for discord and mutual crimi nation. Those who have witnessed and those who have experienced the happy results of the kind vi sits of people to their Pastor, to which these cards so frequently bear their brief testimony who have seen the glad faces and the kind interchange of good feeling by which such visits are character ized, will not be insensibe to their value in every religious community Admit that the people have been faithful in the fulflmen of their legal obliga- tions to their rastor,-and these acts of kindness the best evidence that it IS so,-if in addition they nave done that Tor nm Wnlcn they were un- der no obligation to do, are not such acts in his view stamped with double and treble value! Ad- init, what is rarely true that he does not need these kindly contributions; that by dint of effort he can provide fuel and food and clothing for his family without them; arc his friends injured are they not always benefited by theseacts of kindness ?- How else can they give more intclligible express sion of the feeling of their heart'e Admit that he receives testimonials of affection from whose means are more limited than hs own is this a req son why they should be denied privilege which others enjoy? He must be desti stitute of the spirit of his Master, who does not regard the widows two mitcsgiven from love to tho gospel and kind ness towards him who dispcnsas it as possessing more value than all.
 The subscriber would hereby sxpress his sincere qualification that he is permitted, like many of his brethren, to bear this public testimony to the kind
 ness of the people among whom he is called to la bor, manifested by tangible acts connected with friendly visitation which yearly occurs on the day after tho annual Thanksgiving; and especially for l a recent visitation on the 14th nst by which he 1 was furnished with an ample supply of fuel and what in his view is of still greater value renewed testimonials of good feeling. Hetsks their prayers that he may be enabled by increased fidelity to their spiritual interests, to evnce that ie is not unmind- full of increased obligations.
 Bethem, Feb 15, 1Sl4. r HARRISON.