Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-09-17
WI mis- teriaI.
Squeezing a Preacher,

The substance OF the following letter appeared in
the Welsh Baptist Magazine for February 1916, and
the SIN against which is directed is by no means
confined to the Welsh Churches, perhaps its pubca-
ton in our language may be of service;
".Nr. Editor,-Lately Church, or rather the lords
thereof, made resolution that their minister must be
satisfied to live upon what they could collect at the
months end, let the amount be little much, and that
they would not, from that time forward bind thenl5el
yes to make up any particular sum. This resolution
they communicated to their PASTOR with the solemn adj
vice. 'Broheryou must squeeze, the times bad He
replied that he would think of the matter and see how
the plan likely to answer. In few days he cal
led upon the owner of his house, who was a member
Of his church, to pay his rent and told him that he
could not promise him any specific sum for the house
from that time torth'that the times were bad and he
must squee2e but he would pay for it circumsan-
ccs would permit. The landlord stared at him with
establishment, and replied, MANI who let's houses in
that manner-to give as much as you please for it
did any one ever hear of such thing? thought to
advance the rent pound next year; you shall not
have my house, am sure, for one halfpenny less'-
lIO HC4NC "CiI W lllC dohCu lO
of flour Certainly, said the Miller 'but do you know
that the price of flour has advanced since you purchas
ed the last was not aware of it, replied the minis
ter, 'and indeed it is ofno great consequence as the
order of things is changed am to give what | can
for it-brother, you must squeeze, the times bad
Good or bad answered the miller, Il must have &C
cerdng to Sos per sack for it,; hearken, man who
sells flower upon those terms :? lie next proceeded
to the farmer, passing by the matster, who a dea-
con, without callng and asked for a bushc of wheat
The farmer SAID he should have it, but it would cost
him eight shlngs and six pence. mo, no, brother
replied the minister you must squeeze, for the times
are bad; will give you much | can at the end
of the month, after seeing how much the collection
will be- 'What has that to do with the price of
wheat" exclaimed the farmer, i have great rent to
pay next month"; and do not know how to bring things
to BEAR between the wages, the tithes and the pay
ments.' This brother kepta large farm and paid spe-
cc oageS to all his abourers except JACKIE, the half
witted boy, who at hand to fetch the COWS for the
women, to clean the out-houscs &c.
"The minister next called upon John, the shoema-
kerr who, after hearing the terms for pair ofshoes be-
gan to put the snuff into his wide nostrs which were
as black as two ues, and talk very sarcastcaly re-
spcctng such terms. He would not put patch upon
his shoe under three pence, The butcher treated him
in like manner, his meat was so muck pound; and
the tailor also insisted upon having regular price for
his commodities.
"On his way home, the minister went into the shop
of his principal deacon and asked him for some small
articles necessary for the use of his family, such as
pound of soap, pound of Candles two ounces of tea
and hafpenny worth Of Soda but no tobacco) After
packing the things nearly the grocer began to reckon
up their cost. you need not waste your time in reck-
onlng' interrupted the minister, i am to pay you for
them as my circumstances will permt-brother, you
must Sqeeze as the times very bad with me at pres
ent, but will give conscientously for them what lies
in my power squeeze, said the shop keeper what do
you mean? give what you pIease--how much will
that be% Il cannot say at present replied his pastor
but you shall know at the end Of the month, when |
see how much the collection will be- THAT will not
do for me- said the shopkeeper, i am obliged to pay
certain price for every article, and have large a
mount to make up next week. so, indeed exclaimed
Wcll, SCG llCTG Is ITO one Du myself IC
squeeze, and that am out of the reach of bad times
if was able to perform miracles like our Savior with
the oaves and fishes, your plan would answer have
called upon all your members who sell any thing fol-
the use ofman, to see how your plan was likely tc
prosper, but you must all have particular price fol
your goods; the owner of my house, the miller, the
farmer, the shoemaker, the butcher, the tailor, and
yourself likewise. You will not let me have pound
OF sugar. or an of tea out of your shop without
pay stated price for it, how then can you expect
me to pay my way, without stated salary, and that
too proportionabe to my family? Before can agree
to receive what you collect monthly for me, you and
Others must be willing to receive that between you in
proportion to what may have had from each, and ]
will promise you to live quite moderately; or if you
prelerit, am willing to live on the money which is
wasted weekly by the members in snuff and tobacco
| do not know how the matter was settled f.