The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-05-10

tor. $50, preach the Gospel to all ma
tions, saith the Scripture
But the girls want new dresses-they
really need them,' continued Mrs Brown
regardless Of the snivellng missionary.
20, they can wait TIL next quarter"
"Indeed, they cannot and ten dollars
will more than buy all they require. Give
three dollars to the Missions, and 1 will
try to make the other seven do for
them"
"But how it will look not to pay the
amount they have set against me-" plead,
ed Mr.. Brown.
I'VE rated your income ut six hun
derd dollars" said the collector. "Sure,
l. the sixtieth part is but small offering
for the Lord"
"True."
"But it is more than you can afford"
said the wife,"
"Then we must curtail our expenses"
ave may do that; but let US do it first
for our chldren's sakes."
"But it looks so, wife, to refuse to pay
what they have assessed me-"
81 thought the money was for the treas
ury of the Lord, and not for the looks"
replied Mrs. Brown, with a meaning
| smile.
Brown was silent. He felt there was
not little affectation Of good Sorks,
in the idea Of his giving sixteen per cent.
OF his income to one society, and that not
moicty of his charities.
And Susan, you know, is going to the
High School, this month, and her books
will cost a good deal Of money" contin-
ed Mrs. Brown.
"She must put it off till the next quar-
ter"
Put it off, husband I"
ayes, wife, for feel that the Lords
cause must prosper whether, my children
are educated or not"
"You are right, Mr.. Brown" sal ] the
collector handing him the subscription
paper
Brown opered it, and run his eye over
the names Of the contributors.
white, two dollars" said he, rs he per-
ccivcd the name of his friend.
"lle is rather Indifferent" returned the
collector. ale says that is all he can af-
ford, though we assessed him for eight"
Eight! Why he owns the house in
which he lives!"
True; but it is not the extent of one.
possessions, but the willingness of the Civ
er. Probably we placed larger sum a
gainst your name than we should have
done, if we had not known how de-
voted you are to the work. whinel the
collector, with smile.
"1ou ride free horse to death ~ ex-
claimed Mrs. Brown, Indignantly.
may, wife, do not get excited"
"They assess the members of the soce-
ty, not by what they are able to give,
but by their willingness to contribute"
Brown to finish the interview, which,
seemed likely to end in a storm-Brown
was man ofpeace-paid the ten dollars,
half Of all the money he had in the world,
thereby depriving his children Of needed
articles Of clothing and of the opportunity
Of completing their education.
The collector took his leave, apparently
satisfied with the result of his visit.
Mrs. Brown, though, was good and pi |
Gus woman, and had much better idea Of
things than her husband She believed |
that the best way to advance the Lords
Kingdom was by educating her children,
and doing her duty faithfully in the sphere
in which she was placed. She believed
that charity begins at home,' and after
she had attended to the welfare of those
whom the Lord had entrusted to her keep
ing, she was willing to give Of her super
fiuous store to the poor and the heather.
There were some pretty sharp words al.
ter the collector had gone; but Brown was
peaceable man, and firmly believed him
self martyr in holy cause!