The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-01-21
For the Voice ofFreedom,
The Donation Party.

IIlAIIotCl . uOLullOu parry Is 10 DC Oh luuI
day evening, and as l had the misfortune
break the pin Of my cameo at Mrs DIS, All
my watch needs repairing, [ wish to hay
them sent to the jewellers this morning; an
must have my dark satin dress altered, tC
1t IS getting quite out Of fashion, and | war
head dress with boquet and ribbons
match"
But my dear Mary" said her mother
"you have lately become member OF tn
Church Of Christ, and it has been my earncs
desire that in worshipping the author OF you
being, you would not first bow at the shrine O
fashion and that you would heed the admO
milton OF the inspired apostle, and not adorl
yourself with gold and silver and costly ap
parcl, but choose rather the ornament of
meek and quiet spirit which is of far create
price than all the glittering gems Of earth
and as for these donation parties, [ can bu
think they SAVIOR too much Of conformity t.
the world, to promote true godIinoss; ant
though our minister's low salary and large
family may seem to justify an effort to render
him pecuniary aid, should much rather sec
1t given in less eXceptionablc form. | hon
estIy believe that great part of what is rails
ed at these parties is at the expense Of some
Of the vital principles of our holy religion
which cost the suilcrings and death of our
Savior, and in whose defence the apostles
and martyrs have nobly sacrificed their
lives"
But, mother, do you mean that shall not
go to the party ?" said Mary.
No, my DEAR | would not be guilty of
such a want Of respect for our worthy minis
ter; besides this, he was friend Of your dc.
parted father, and as such he has a claim up
on our warmost regard"
"But mother" added Mary, though the
tears g.istencd in her dark eyes at the remem-
branco of her father "vour notions are sure
ly singular and old fashioned, for have Just
called at Deacon Smiths, and | heard no such
specialize people, And then such nice pres
ents as they are preparing for the minister's
family why, it would do your heart good to
gives cloth for q beautiful suit of clothes to
The minister himself, and Mrs S. and her
daughters are preparing nice presents forthe
be great many there, and they are having
splendid dresses prepared for the occasion.
They really honor and respect our worthy
minister and his worthy family very much
Mary'S mother bit her lips with suppressed
CulOtIOtl; 1o Slic COn0NlcICu NOW uliIhC WIS
such benevolence to that " charity which
vaunteth not ITSELF is not pulled up" but she
only added, Have Il care, my dear daugh-
ter, for such promscuous assemblages, where
all classes meet Unfortunately, and presents
pave the way to notice, and where the I'M
p"inciped may purchase a sort of indulgence
by the valu of his gifts, can hardly be prop
er place for young, unprotected female like
yourself"
Great was the hustle that reigned in the
usually quiet little village of Danyille, pre-
paratory to the party. Miss Peppin had dis
covered that the minister's family were short
Of bed clothing, and the younger portion Of
The female community prepared patch work,
which their seniors quilted at Deacon Smiths
for the occasion.
Miss Tbbet was quite sure that the family
were poorly supplied with hanneIs hose and
comforters, and the other ladies were busy in |
the needed supply. Hints were
given to the different artisans, that articles in !
each of their ayocations could not fail of be-
ing acceptable to the minister and his flmi-
ly, while the farmers were gently reminded |
that as he had not laid in supply Of proyis- |
ions for the winter, they might have an OPP |
portunity Of replenishing his empty cellar
from their ample stores.
The excellent widow Golden, Secretary to
the Dorcas Society, insinuatod chat the wor-
thy minister and his amiable family should !
be honored by presents Of value on this occa-
sion, and as the amount given would be duly |
the next day, it was important that !
it should be such as would be q credit to the |
village. No wonder that a poor woman who !
had long been sick, and depended on her !
ncighbors for any litHe nicely which might OBJ |
viate her sulicrings was forgotten, though |
Miss Tibbit, who lives across the way, was
quite sure she saw a child enter the house,
carrying a dish under cover.
No wonder that a stranger who was con-
lined to her chamber with severe and dan
gerous illness, was not remembered at such a J
busy time, though Mrs Smith declared she
would certainly call ON her when the party
vas over.
At length the long wished for evening ar
lived. 1t was a glorious sunset. The Tetir-
NC luminary threw a stream of golden light
'yer the lovely village, which brightly gilded
is glittering panes, and lofty spire, and as it
AIDED away, clouds of Aeecy ightness hover
no over his departure, caught the reflection,
md now glowing with scarlet,and anon deep !
.ning into purple, as if dressed in beauty and
brightness, to bid farewell to departing day.
The full orbcd moon rose in majestic beau
y above the eastern mountains, tinging their
snowy summts with roscate hucs nature
herself seemed flushed in peaceful reposo, or
ost in wonder at the splendor and magniG-
,cnce of her great Creators works.
But all was hustle and confusion at the par
onage. Boxes, baskets and bundles of var-
JUS sizes were constantly arriving with differ
INT messages. Mrs Smith and Mrs Golden
we're arranging the tables with great skill and
elegance. There was Miss Pcppin's snow
white table linen, and Mrs Tibbits' beautiful
,hina, and Deacon Smiths silver fruit dishes,
md Squire Jones splendid cut glass Candida
IRA; and Danville never before saw such a
grand display, A bystander observed that it
orcibly reminded him of Belshazzar's feast,