Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-05-15
A LESSON WHICH A MINISTER TAUGHT
HIS CONGREGATION.

Lately, church made a resolution that their
minister must be satisfied to live upon what
they should collect at the end of the month, let
the amount lie little or much, and that they
would not from that time forward bind them
selves to make up any particular sum. This
resolution they communicated to their pastor
with this solemn ddrice-"Brother, you must
squeeze; the times are hard" He replied that
he would think of the matter, and see how the
plan was likely to answer.
In few days he called upon the owner of
his house, who was a member of bis church,
and told him he could not promise to pay him
any specific sum for the house from that time
forth that the ''times were hard, and he must
Sqeeze," but he would pay for it as circumstan-
ces would permit. The landlord stared at him
in establishment, aud replied, "Man who lets
houses in this manner-to give as much as you
please for it ? Did any one ever hear of such
thing? thought to ddrdnce the rent pound
next year. You shall not have my house, am
sure, for one penny less"
He next went to the miller and asked for
sack of flour. "Certainly" said the miller
"but do you know that the price of flour has
advanced since you purchased the last" II
was not aware of it," replied the minister;
"and indeed it is of no great consequence, as
the order Of things is changed | am to give
the times are hard" Good or bad" answered
the miller, 81 must have according to fifty shil-
lings per sack for it. Hearken, man, who sells
flour upon such terms?"
He next proceeded the farmer, and asked for
a bushe of wheat. The farmer said he should
have it, but it would cost him eight shllings
and sixpence. mo, no. brother" replied the
minister, you must squeeze; the times are
hard | will give you as much as / can at the
end of the month, after seeing what the col
lection will be-" .What has that to do with
the price of wheat ?" exclaimed the farmer. Il
have great rent to pay next month, and | do
not know how to bring this to bear, between
the wages, the tithes, and the payments" This
brother kept large farm, and paid specific
wages to his iaborers, except Jack, the half
wtted boy, who was at hand to fetch the cows
for the women cleen the outhouses, etc.
The minister next called upon John, the shoe
maker, who, after hearing his terms for pair
of shoes, began to put the snuff into his wide
nostrils, which were as black as two chimney
hues, and talk very sarcastically respecting such
terms. HE would not put patch upon a
shoe under threepence."
The butcher treated him in like manner
his meat was $50 much a pound" And the
tailor insisted upon having a regular price for
his commodities
On his way home, the minister went into the
shop of his principal deacon and asked him for
some small articles necessary for the use of his
family, such as pound soap, pound of sugar,
pound OF candles, two ounces of tea, half
penny worth OF soda, (but no tobacco) After
packing the things neatly, the grocer began to
count their cost. "Yon need not waste YOU,
time in reckoning" interrupted the minister
81 am to pay for them as circumstances will
! permit. Brother, you must Squeeze as the
times are very hard with me at present. but
will give consclentiously for them what is il
my power" "Squeeze! :" said the shopkeeper
with pious surprise "what do you mean
Give what you please-how much will that be p
81 cannot say at present." replied the pastor
"but you shall know at the end of the month
when | see how much the collection will be-
"That will not do for me-, said the shopkeeper
al am obliged to pay certain price for every
article, and | have great amount to make W
next week."
$50 indeed, ;" exclaimed the minister. "Well
see there is no one but myself to squeeze, anC
that / am out of the reach of hard times.
was able to perform miricles, like our Savo
with the loayes and fishes your plan woult
answer. have called on all the members tina
sell anything for the use of man, to see hoy
your plan was likely to answer, but yoN mus
all have particular price for your goods-th
owner of my house. the miller, the shoemaker
the tailor, the butcher, and yourself likewise
You will not let me have pound of sugar o
an ounce of tea out of your shop. unless | pa!
a stated price for it. How, then, do you ex
pect me to pay my way without stated salary
and that, too, proportionable TO my family
Before can agree to receive what you collec
monthly for me, you and others must be willin,
to receive that between you, in proportion t
what may have had from each, and / viii
promise you to live quite moderately or
you prefer it, | am willing to live on the none
wasted weekly by the members in snuff an,
tobacco. "-Welsh Baptist Magazine.