Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-01-15
Taking Down the Old Hill.

1t is surrounded with shade trees and
flowers, growing all around. When tht
water is let on and the great wheel turn'
around, the spray rises and the sun shines
on it, and rainbow hangs over it. Th,
mill was new, and it seemed as If il
would almost 90 of ITSELF The water.
seemed to shout with gladuess as they
rushed upon the wheel, and the bird
sang in the wood. Day after day ant
year after year the mill was kept in mo
ton. Children who grew up near it fel
as if it had always been there, alway:
would be there.
Bot after the mill had stood about sew
enty years, and had received the name
of the "Old Mill" the timbers became
weak. It seemed to tremble under it.
labors. When water was let on the wheel
| The old joints creaked and groaned; Il
seemed to take a great while to get all
the wheels in motion. 1t ground slower
and slower. 1t creaked in every part.
1t was very plain the old mill was nearly
worn out. Every year it grew feebler
and did less and less work.
One day the owner came that way to
talk with the tenant, or the man who liv
ed in it. well, Mr.. Willard, the old
mill is almost worn OUT
Yes, sir, but you see ! have set up
poles against it to prop it up, and mean
to keep it going
IT will DO no good. The poor old thing
is nearly worn out 1t was bull, of frail
material, and no propping can possibly
save it,
But, sir, what do you propose to do ]?
TO take it down
What! The mill have lived in so
long? l cannot have it done, sir. ]
claim it as--.'
But, Mr. Willard, have you been care
ful and faithful TO pay me the rent on the
cd mill?
Mr.. Willard hung his head, for lie had
paid but very poor rent.
Must it come down, and / be turned
out of my home?'
Yes, il must, or fall down. said the
owner. But | will tell you what l will
do. | will take it down carefully myself,
and will save everything that is worth
saving. And | propose to build new
mill higher up the stream, near the lake.
=! have selected beautiful spot-O! ! far
mors beautiful than this, where the sun
always shines, and the birds always sing,
aud the flowers are always fresh. 1t is !
place so beautiful that the angels come
there, bring their harps and sing. And
there propose TO erect the new mill
not of such frail timbers as this is builI
OF, bat of durable materials, such rs viii
last ages and ages. And | am going to
make it in such way that the very NOV
ing Of the wheels will make music, as ii
the binding was one great organ to praise
God with. 1t will never grow old, or
need taking down or even repairing
Won't that be glorious P
'Bu. who will live in the new mill ?
'You shall
But what shall l do while It is build
ing?
%, will take care of you. / have a
summer house on the hill that they cali
Zion, among the trees, where you will
be safe and ready to enter the new mill.
Don't have any fears
Does not my little reader understand
my story? The human body is the mill
he earth is the place where il stands
he life that God pourS into US every day
IS the water lie, on the wheel; the trees
around US are the comforts and blessings
hat God gives us; the birds that sing
are the joys and gladness of life; the /
'ainbows over the wheel are the bright ,
lopes that hang over US every day. But |
ye grow old. The poor man lives in an 4
,ld mill. Life seems hardly to move the
wheels now. He cannot stand straight
10 as he used TO. lie must die. The {
Iwner-God himself will come and care {
ully take down the old mill. But be viii
'uild a new one, higher up the stream
limself-and make it of materials that
lever decay. Good old mani Disciple 9
# Christ Come out from the old m 4
While il is being rebuilt, and as you come,
ing: y
Il know that if our earthly house o. d
his tabernacle be dissolved, have G
uilding Of God, house not made with }
ands, eternal in the heavens +
Whoever quaIrels with his fate does b