Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-10-29

liar delicacy of feeling. After lying awake for
half of the night, thinking over what was to be
done, he came to the reluctant conclusion that
it was his imperative duty to those he owed, to
mention the necessities Of his case to the vastry,
and learn from them without further delay
whether he had anything beyond the four hun.
dred dollars to expect
The hardest task Mr. Malcolm had ever per-
formed, was now before him, and he shrunk
from it with painful reluctonce. But the path
Of duty was plain, and he was not man to hold
back when he saw his way clear. II there had
been any hesitation, and imperative dun receive
ed before he sat down to breakfast, and another
before nine o'clock, would have effectually dis
PEELED it.
Mr.. Malcolm went to the store of Mr.. Elder,
one of the vestrymen, and found him quite busy
with customers. lie waited for half an hour
for him to be discngaged. and then went ont,
saying, as he passed him at the counter, that he
would call in again.
oh dear he murmured to himself with a
| long drawn sigh, as he emerged upon the street
= but this is humilating. IL | had engaged
for only four hundred dollars year, would
have lived OH bread and water, rather than have
exceeded my income. But at least seven han.
drcd were promised. 1t was, however, an infor-
,
ing to any thing so unsettled as this. Ofcourse
! it will be paid to me whcn make known my
present situation /; but the doing of that shrink
from
MIR. T--was here again for his bill,
were the first words that saluted the ears of the
minister when he returned home.
What did you say to him p he asked.
Il told him that you would settle it very soon
lie said he hoped you void, for he wanted money
badly, and it had been running for some time
He was rude then ?
A little So replied the wife, in meek voice
Mr.. Malcolm paced the floor with rapid steps
HE felt deeply disturbed.
An hour afterwards he entered the store of Mr.
Elder and found the store disengaged. He die
not linger in preliminarics, but approached the
subject thus
You remember, Mr.. Elder, that in the inter
view had with you and two of the vestry, pre-
vous to my accepting the call TO this parish
you stated that my income would not be limitet
to the four hundred dollars named as the minis
tcr's salary, which then told you was a small
Ter sum than could possibly live upon p
Mr. Elder exhibited nomentary confusion
when the minister said this. But he immedia
tely replied
Yes, believe something was said on thai
subject, though have not thought of it since
We always had to make up something for Mr.
Pelton, and suppose we must do the same fol
you, if it is necessary Do you find your salary
inadequate 2
Entirely so. And knew it would be made
quate from the first. 1t is impossible for me tc
support my family on four hundred dollars and
had not been assured that at least three or loui
hundred dollars extra would be made up during
the year. never would have dreamed of accent.
ing the call. 1t has been principle with me
not to go in debt and since have been a man
| have not until this tme owed a dollar; and
should not have owed it now, had received
since have resided in c., the income
fully expected
/ Mr.. Malcolm spoke with warmth, for he fel,
some rising of the natural man, at the indifie.
, renee with which promise of so much conse.
How much do you owe ? enquired the yes.
tryman.
/ About two hundred dollars
Indeed ! So much
A bitter remark arose 10 the minister's lips
but he forced himself to keep silence. lie wa,
a man. with all the natural feelings Of a man.
We'll, suppose we must make it up for you
so mellow. said Mr.. Elder,-the tone in whicl
he spoke. showing that the subject worried him
Are any Of the demands on you pressing 2 h,
enqurcd, after "A pause.
IAN of them are pressing replied the min
lister. Il am dnnned every day
Indeed! That's bad !" returned Mr.. Elder
speaking with more real kindness and sympathy
than at FIRST. | am sorry you have been per
mittrd to get into SO unpleasant a situation
1t certainly is very unpleasant, and entirel
destroys my peace. Were not thus unhappil
situated, should not have said a word to vo
on the subject of my salery.'
Don't let it distress you so much, Mr.. Ma
,,,,n tln e
once made up
The minister returned home, disturbed moi
tilted, and Inundated
If this is the way they pay their minister
he remarked to his wife, after relating to lie
what had happened it is the last year that slia
enjoy the benefits of their peculiar system. Bl
little good will my preaching or that of any en-
!, else do them, while they disregard the first an
i panest principles of honesty. There is no lac
= of ability to give a minister the support he needs
: and the withholding of that support, or the sur
plying of it by constlaint, shows a moral obtust
ness that argues but poorly for their love
ANYTHING but themselves | believe that tn
laborer is worthy Of his hire-that when me
: bnild church and call minister for their ow
n spiritual good, they are bound to supply his n;
: tural wants and that if they fail to do so, it
: sign to the minister that he ought to lea,
= them. Some may call this selfish doctrin
: and unworthy of minister Of God, but belle,
y it to be the true doctrine, and shall act up to
y 1t does men no good to let them quietly go o
= year after year, starving their ministers, viii
It they have abundant means to make them COZ
Portable. 1t they prize their wealth higher til;
u they do spiritual riches it is but casting pear
IL before swine to scatter even the most brllia
gems of wisdom before them, and in this unpr
= itabIe task am the last man to engage.
,e gave up all hope of worldly good in order
e preach the everlasting Gospel for the savat
Is of men. In order to do this successfully, II
mind must be kept free from the deprcssil
RS cares of lite-and there must be something
id ciprocal in those TO whom minister in Heaven
at things, II this be not the case, all my lab
!y will be in vain
to To be continued
'rI
C>:~I>i.. II A,.