Litchfield enquirer., 1864-05-26
Pastoral Visits Which are not
 Donations

Pastoral Visits Which are not
 Donations
 MR. EDITOR :-The custom is an old and honored one, of making pastoral visits, which are donations. Many Pastor in the several districts of New England, has had his heart gladdened, and his hands strengthened by visit en naasse from his people, and by their liberal donation, on or about New-Ye ears day of each year. But the subscriber thinks q change is taking place, and the innovation, as experienced by himself, he wishes to explain through the columns of your paper, that the change may be generally understood, and he hopes adopted, at least, till the present trying times for salaried men, and ministers especial ly, be overpast. Installed and married last Autumn, I brought my better half to New Preston Village, on the l6th of October. On our arrival, We were met by a goodly number of parshioners, who gave us hearty welcome. They had most emphatically set our house in order. Fires were kindled the table was set, and the supper was ready. The beef-steak and chicken pie, and other things to match, of that occasion could easily be remembered one year, not to say one lifetime. After SUD- per, and after most pleasant visit, the com pany retired, and we who were left alone in our glory, thought we would survey the prem ises. Barrels of flour, bushels of potatoes, bushels of apples. butter, lard, sugar, tea, cof- fee, wood, &c.,, &c.,, &c., to say the least, abounded. Well, of course, we gave our peo- pie credit for years donation in advance But we were subsequently informed, It was not donation, but kind of reception visit. From that day onward, visits of the same sort from individuals have been very frequent Scarcely day or week has passed, without some such au6stantial visit. But on the 18th ult., we had visit which was not 6 Dona- tion." About 2 o'clock, vehicles in line, seve- ral of them, were seen approaching our house. Either of them was we'll fitted to remind one of the vision of Peter, when heaven opening, he saw a certain vessel d, scending unto him, wherein were all hammer of four-f footed beasts and creeping things and fowls of the air. Not indeed that these carriages had in them four footed beats of the earth, or wild beasts, but they were filled with bundles and bags and baskets and pails, wherein were all manner of good things, such as good fathers and good mothers know are useful. From fear of dis heartening some other society, we feel inclined to refrain from giving catalogue while for their guidance We should Ike to do so. Suf. flee it to say, wheat flour, rye flour, and meal l; dried beef, corned beef and ham; lard, butter and cheese tea, sugar and coffee ct cetera toward iL6nitum; and some loaves of very nice cake, can be used by very small family. These good people brought their refreshments, made their "visit. which was not donation ;'' took tea, and at an early hour, retired, as they were perhaps the older people.
 We read concerning Peters vision, this was done thrice." Even so On the 26th ult' came the young people and spent the evening. How pleasant the unrestrained yet modest, the free yet proper, intercourse of this part of our parishioners May the joy of their social life never be less! Having made their "visit which was not a donation,' and having brought their entertainment and having partaken, they retired at good hour, bearing away our re. spect, and our warm, hearty good wishes. The |" trife left as slight token of regard from the young people," was package of money found after they had gone.
 The third " visit which was not donation,'' came on the 10th inst. Then came "those who had not been before" This company. al though last, was perhaps in no respect least Whether they intended to manifest any spirit of emulation or rivalry toward ths others, we do not know and indeed do not care to know. But of this we are sure: The last was wor- thy of being the closing scene of the drama.
 As the result of these visits' which were not donations" we are more than one hun dred dollars richer in cash, from one to two hundred dollars richer in that which is just as good as cash, and thousand times richer in that which is better than money, the expressed friendship of our parish.
 For all the kindness of my dear people dur ing the few months we may have lived togeth- CT, may God reward them in their own souls thousand fold.
 HENRY UPsoN.
 New Preston, Conn.,, May l9, 1864.
 NoTE.-To some parishes at distance, we should like to whisper, Go thou and do like wise." And to some struggling ministers. we would say, If you cannot live where you are, seek home in Litchfeld County. And should they ask whether in Litchfeld North, or Litch- field South, we must be pardoned for saying, Litchfeld South. H.U.
 THE PAY OF THE OPERA SINGERS IN NEW YoRK.-The New York correspondent of the Boston Post says:
 Opera-goers generally, and Mrs. Shoddy in particular, have learned with astonishment that the SpaScn annnunced to commanoa m Mon.