The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-04-09

a nice little bundle and gives it to him, telling
him that's her legacy. Dolly says he looked
real pleased whe,: he srst opened it, and she
could see through the keyhnle something shin
ing just like gold, but pretty soon he said
something to Miss Thornton that made her
cry, and then he got up ard put it on the
mantel shelf. Dolly didn't dare to stay any
longer, for fear they would come out and
catch her, but she went in afterwards to see
what it was" e,,s .rai,..a
swell, what was il t?--what was pr cried
the eager listeners, as Miss Tompkins sudden
ly stopped.
81 would call this meeting to order" said
the president, whose reproving glance had si-
fenced the loquacious splrster 1--WE have sew
eral items Of business to be disposed Of, which
may as well be done now. should like 20
know the opinion of the ladies' as to the ap-
preparation Of our present funds, and also the
object to which we will devote our labors dur
ing the coming year. We have in the treas
ury about seventy five dollars, which, rightly
used, may do much to advance the cause we
profess to love. The meeting is open for dis
cusson on this point" a@4aa aara Il
81 hear" said Mrs. Robinson, the deacon's
wife, "that we have manv families in town
who, from sickness, hard times, and other
causes, are suffering, in some cases at least.
for the necessaries of life. think that sum,
even doubled or .rebled, would be well ap-
piled in relieving their wants - f ..s aaa
"This is matter in which we are all
equally interested" remarked the president,
blandly "we hope to hear from each of ycu.''
"It's my decided opinion," said Mrs. Worm
wood. "that in thriving place like this. where
work is plenty, there is no excuse for poverty
ike what Mrs. Robinson speaks Of For my
part, go against encouraging idleness."
81 thought we were at work for the poor
beathen," suggested Miss Pitkins; '.i'm sure
I shouldn't have made so much effort to attend
these meetings. if hadn't supposed so." 4, ~
"A box Of clothing for the missionaries, ]
should like BEST" added Miss Tompkins.
"There seems to be such division of opin-
ion among you," said the chair, s'that will
venture to make suggestion l see our es-
Unable pastor coming; why not refer the
whole matter to him His Judgment must
surely be better than ours, for his position
gives him comprehensive view Of both home
and foreign wants."
This happy expedient was well received
and Rev. Mr.. Flint, as he appeared, was at
once chosen their arbiter. Gray hairs and
w'inkied brow, SO oft the type o, wisdom, did
but render more conspicuous and revolving the
hard, restless eye, the sinister mouth, and the
whole contour Of selfshness which bespoke
the inner nature of this professed man of God.
Dollars aud cents were the gauge of mems
souls in bis estimation-money the only evil
dence Of worth Alas that among the holy
brotherhood Of Gods ministering servants
even one should be found--one whose sheep's
clothing could not conceal the wolf beneath.
All honor would we render to that noble class
OF self-denying men. who shrink not from.the
call Of their Master, though earthly reward
pertain not to his service. But when the
same ministerialsJ Judas turns the house Of God
into temple of money changers, sharp indeed
should be the scourge which should drive him
thence. IA az.s.y
Naturally enough, the people OF Rev. Mr..
Flint's charge, with here and there q noble
exception, had partaken somewhat OF his ma
ture. External religious forms were most
scrupulonsly observed ,'.but the gentle, peace
able fruits Of the spirit were feaffully wan
ting. > %. ""u "'
But while we are thus digress'ng, eager
faces are looking to the pastor for his decision.
His worthy coadjutor, the pery devoted presi-
dent, is "snre his extensive knowledge and
sound Judgment will render it easy for him to
point out at once the fittest object for their
benevolence,' se ah Ht2
Rolling his tongue in the peculiar manner
ne was wont to do when pleased, h. ..thank ed
the president for her compliment, and would
only say, that he-considered the ladies present
fully competent to decide their own case. -
"Do You not think,'' asked Mrs. Robinson,
''that we should take care OF the poor among
us, before we send our charities abroad p, - 4
"Not always" replied Mr.. Flint ssthere is
much danger in helping our poor neighbors.
lest we learn them to.depend on US, instead of
trying 10 help themselves s4lt gssasgst
"Ihat's Just what saidn chimed in Mrs.
Wormwood; "folks hant any business to be
poor here, where they can get work. al
"Wcrk is plenty, to be sure,0 said Miss
Priscilla Page. with significant glaace at the
last speaker; ''pity the pay wasn't plenty,
too.v z@ -
81 would beg the ladies' attention to the
subject under discussion, !" remarked the chair; |;
"Mr. Flint has not yet given his opinion,
which hope he win do freely.v
Gas You have called upon me quite unex-
pectedly, ladies, to advise you in this matter,''
said Mr.. Flint, rising very deliberately, cit
would be natural for me to mention the sub
ject which, Just at this time, interests me most.
Our society-and Issy it without boosting
has become one Of the largest, wealthiest and
most influential in the State. IT becomes. MS,
therefore, 10 send good maine abroad. by the
liberalisy with which we enter into the spirit
of the great refor ms of the day. Among these
reforms, none seem to me so important as
union Of the two continents, in one great $50
ciety for svangelizing the world.' Such a so
ciety, you know, exists, and in its councils
are found some OF the greatest men OF the age.