Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-11-05

| comfortable support and freedom from ca-e.--
| This. he said. was but poor commentary nn'
on their love for the church, and showed toe
plainly its sorld and selfish quality.
| This was felt by many TO b. quite too pointed
and ont of place, and for n Young man, like HIM
very bold and very mmodest. One member
took ont his box and struck the lid smart, ON
ph1tic rap before taking pinch OF snuff an
other coughed-and three or four Of the Older
ones gave several loud 'a-h-h-hems" Through
ont the church there was an I'M ,asy movem mt.
Bnt soon all was still again, for the minister
had commenced the narrative of something
which he said had occurred in parish at NJ
great distance. Fora narrative introduced in a
sermon, all ears are open.
| Very deliberately and very infinitely did Mr.
Malcolm give the leading facts which we have
already placed before the reader. even down tc
the sound lecture he had received from Mr.. Lar
kin. and then closed his sermon, after n few
words of application, with a firm repetition Of
his 'ext
My brethren, owe no man anything.
| Ofcoursn there was bnzzing in the hive al
ter this. One made enquiries of another, and II
was soon pretty well understood throughout
that seven or eight hundred dollars had actually
been promised the minister instead Of the four
which all were very content that he should re-
/
he lived well or i'll upon IT, But who was il
that had rated him 50 soundly? That was the
question. But nobody knew. Some Of those
most familiar with Mr.. Malcolm, boldly asked
! him the question. but he declined giving an an
swer. Poor Mr.. Lorkin tremblcd; but the min-
lister kept his own counsel.
! On the Tuesday following this pointed dis
course Mr.. Malcom received his last quarter
salary. four weeks in advance, AMI three hun
dred dollars besides Two hundred of this had
been loaned by Mr.. Larkin until such time as
it could be collected. AT the next meeting nt
the yeStrv the resignation of Mr.. Malcolm a.
minister Ofthe parish was received. Before act
Jog upon it, church meeting was called, at
which it was unanimously voted to double the
ministers salary. That *, make it eight hun
dred Much was said in his favor rs a man of
fine talents and sincere pety. In fact, the CON
grcgation generally had become much attached
to him, and could not bear to think of his leav-
ing them. Money was no consideration now
The vote of the meeting was conveyed TO Mr.
Malcolm. He expressed his thanks for the lib
eraI olltr, but again declined remaining. An.
other church meeting was called. and thou
sand dollars nnhc>iIatingly named as the minis.
'er's salary. if lie would stay. Many doubled
their subscriptions. and said tha, if necessary
they would qpadruple them.
When Mr.. Malcolm determined to leave c.
he had no parish in view; but he did not think
it would be useful for him to remain. Nor had
he any in view when no declined accepting the
offer OF eight hundred dollars. But it was diff.
tcrent when the oil, ola thousand dollars came
Tor then he held in his hand call to neigh
boring plr>h where the salary was the same.
The committee to wait upon him. and urge
him to accept the still better terms offered wa.
composed or AIessrs. Elder. Larkin, and tire,
others among the oldest and most Influential
memb 'rS.-lie answered their renewed applica
ton by handing them the letter he lad Just re
ceivel. |, was read aloud.
/ If money is any object, MIR. Malcolm sale
Larkin, PROMPTLY, You need not leave U.s.
/ Twelve hundred can be as easily made up to yo,
as n Thousand
/ The minister was slightly disturbed at this
| He replied in a low. unsteady voice
Money has no influence with me in this mat
tor All ask is "A comfortable maintainanc
for my family. This, your first offer of cig
hundred dollars would have given bat decline
it, with no other place in view, because though
: it hest for both Won and me that we should ser
lrae. ! have tried to look only TO the good {
the church in my decisions, and will still ell
,eavor to keep that end before my eyes
Have you accepted the call ? asked Nj
Elder.
'No, have but Just received it
Have You positively determined that you wi
rot remain with us ??
should not like to say po.itvelv
Very well. Now let IN say that the dcsir
% nave You remlin is general. and that the fe'
vho have the mana cement Of the church affair
md not the mum who make M the congrem.
ion, are TO blame for previously eXis,in
wrongs and errors. From the minv comes
''rong desire to have you stay. They say tin
your minislralons have been of great spiri,u
'nnciit To them. and that if Won 90 away the
!, will su'r loss. Unler these circumstance
!, dr. Malcolm, are You willing 10 break yo
resent connection ?
Il Give me Il few hours to renect.' replied II
, minister, good deal affected BY this unlock,
: tor appeal. | wish TO do right and in dolr
!. it, am ready to cut off the right hand and plut
n ont the right eye. A. Heaven is INV witness
: set before me no earthly reward. Ii do CO
i sent to remain will not receive more til;
vonr first offer of eight hundred dollars for {
I that can live comfortably
Q When the committee again waited on NJ
d Malcolm, to receive his answer, it was in Il
: affirmative but he was decided in his rcso!
e ton not to receive more than eight hundred dc
lars. But the congregation were ju-t as mu,
% decided on the other side. and although on
e two hundred dollars a quarter were paid to the
l. minister by the treasurer more than fifty dola
flowed into him during the same period in pre-
ID ents of one useful thing and another, fro
It friends known and unknown.
lie The parish of c. had quite reformed
re mode OF paying the minister.