The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-01-21
fulncss, and she soon after left the house

fulncss, and she soon after left the house.
There too was the dashing Captain s.
!, lately from the distant city, and one of the
beau monde, who in person presented the
, minister's wife with beautiful dress, and his
two daughters each an elegant crimson scarf
, She could do no less than smile graciously
upon gentleman Of such prcpossessing man
ncrs, and who made such valuable presents
He paid particular attention to the ladies who
took the lead at the entertainment, and soon
iDgratated himself largely into favor, partic-
ularly with Miss Peppin who though on the
wrong side Of thirty, felt herself highly hon
ored by his attentions, and though she had
heard he was a gambler and spendthrift she
declared that Danville was such a vile place
for gossip that she did not believe a single
word Of it. In fact lie was admired by all
the ladies, and said to be the most agreeable
gentleman at the party.
A plain, quiet man was also there who APP
pcared to take an intense interest in the pro-
cecdings of the evening. The next day he
accidently met with a friend, who had been
absent from the village, when the following
colIoquy took place between them:
/" am greatly rejoiced 10 learn that you
have become believer in the sublime doc
tnnes Of Christianity, and trust you will OK
cuse my asking whether you have yet united
with the church :"
"My dear friend, have lately been led to
search the scriptures, and they have indeed
become light to my feet, and lamp to my
path [ had designed to unite with the chnrch
on the next communion day, but / have been
looking for an eXempliication Of the doe
trines Of Christianity among its profcssed fol-
lowers, and must say that l feel not little
glieycd and discouraged. Last evening | at
tended the donation party, and witnessed SO
much vanity, love of display, giving presents
to be seen OF men, respcctm9o OF persons when
dressed in fashionable style,-and all this was
sanctioned by the minister, and approved up
on his very hearth stone, which | consider
contrary to the tenor and spirit of the bible,
to say nothing Of hia express commands, that
| confess my purpose is shaken. | shall not
unite with the church at present"
But, my friend, You ought not to place |
the making some useful presents to the min
ister's family, as tokens Of respect, in the same
light as giving aims to the poor"
. cannot tell how others understand it, i
but I know that it was circulated through the
village that they needed many of the very az
tlcIes which were given, and the bible makes
little difference between gifts and aims. l !
know worthy clergyman, who has a young
family, a maiden aunt, and feeble wife to
support, with but a small salary; who refusl d
to have a party made for his benefit. can
not said he, by my own consent, make the
wants Of my family the subject of village Cos,
sip, nor their dress and furniture matter Of
speculation to my neighbors;' yet when a
friend silently pressed a ten dollar note in his
hand, he was much moved, and remarked
With tears, | needed just this sum to meet a
pressing want, laid my case before the Lord
md find he has not forgotten me-
II particularly noticed at the party the no.
5orious Capt. S., who by making nice pres
snts to the minister's family, with the aid of
his accomplished manners, insinuated himself
argcly into the good graces Of the females,
me OF chat scripture, "a gift en-
teeth the heart" These parties, ostcnsibly {
for the purpose of aiding the minister, look
TO me like shutting the mouth Of the watch
man, and then opening the fold to the wolf
and fear he has fixed his filngs upon one of
seen tete-a-tete with Mary c., and that he ac-
lbout two years since, was my friend; the
lroopcd ever since, and will probably soon
DC Ialu III inc same grave. Mary IS heir 10
estate, and this redoutabe Captain
have just learned is a notorious fortune :
lunter, who am tod has Just been boasting
# the public house, that there was not much
Inference in women, after ALA handsome
present and a handsome manner would entice
my Of emf thus poisoning the minds Of a
number OF youngsters who were present,
Last ught | retired TO rest, but not to 5
locp. lily nervous scnsibilities were excited
" The events Of lie evening, and the full
lark eyes Of my departed friend seemed bent
upon me wAerererI turned and
am now going to visit Mary and her moth
~ and endoayor to undo some of the mischief
,flast evening. SERlo. {
&uabwy, Jan. 5, 1917. !