Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1863-07-10
Lived beyond his Means.

n lew days since Inc business coinmuni-
ty of Boston was startled by report that
Mr.. Shedd, the cashier of the Bank Of
Mutual Redemption, had proved defaul-
ter to large amount. 1t was found true
in all but the amount of the defalcaticn.
which was only about $10,000-not enough
to injure the bank materially, but many
times enough to ruin the cashier. The
Boston Journal gives an account Of the
affair, and winds up with the following ref
erence to him -" Mr.. Shedd has hereto
fore borne high character, and has filled
many offices of trust in Roxbury, where
he resides. He was regarded as an ex-
emplary man and excellent citizen. His
unfaithfulness in this instance will be a
matter of surprise and sorrow to large
Circle of friends. He has been excom-
municated from the Baptist Church in
Roxbury, Of which he was a member, and
it is understood, has left the city. Living
beyond his means is reported TO be the
cause of his lapse from integrity
We wish the lesson fought by the last
sentence of this sad record might burn its
way SO deep into the memory and conscience
of every young person about to "start in
life as never to be forgotten or unheeded.
Some have fondly dreamed that the neces-
sites of the war would cure US of extrava-
gance, and teach US economy. But expert
ence only justifies their dreams IT. part. As
a nation. we have by no means thoroughly
reformed. Go where you will, the same
reckless passion for show and luxury con-
fronts you. Learning to economise, are we?
tbf, of narinr Sbptv =
Does the array of servants, plate and costly
but indigestible knick-knacks, which grace
our fashionable entertainments, show it
Do the windows of our shopkeepers and
milliners, and the prices paid by the multi
tudes who throng them, show it Alas for
the hopes of those who have trusted 10 this
to bring back professedy Christian and re-
publican households to the measure OF
Christian and Republican simplicity. The
very rise in prices has to not few been
only strengthening of the temptation to
live extravagantly. And in larger pro-
portion of cases than before the war, the
customary yielding to this temptation in
wolves " living beyond their means"
For ourselves, we confess we have little
hope from any other remedy than genuine
moral principle. When men come TO feel
that living beyond their means is sheer dis
honesty, we may expect they will cease.
And what else is it? What right have
| they to nse what is justly due another, for
the qualification of a mere appetite of van
| ity? What right to try, upon salary of
six hundred dollars, to ape the pomp of
their neighbor Flashy with his salary of one
thousand dollars, and by so doing leave
themselves unable, by two or three hundred
dollars, TO square accounts with their credi-
tors? They hope to earn the balance be-
fore it will be called for; but what assur-
ance have they that death or misfortune
will not blast their hopes and leave their
creditors TO suffer by their folly? Again
we ask, what right have they to run such
risks? And this, too, aside from the ques-
tion, if they have any right to expose them
selves to such temptations as ruined Mr..
Shedd. Should they escape and conquer
these, we cannot see so great a difference
between themselves and him as they sup
pose. His dishonesty was only little more
direct than theirs.
Live beyond your means? p No, never
if you love peace OF mind. clear con-
science, and escape from psnury in sickness
and oil age. Rather live aoithin your
means, both for your own sake and for the
cause of Christ and humanity, which such
course will enable you to aid.