Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-04-22

|
Parson Winslow will give us for a sermon
hope, total-depravity, or free-will, or fore
ordination. They seem very well suited to
Fast day.
~ hope he will give good practical
DISCOURSE, was the earnest reply, Z" some
thing we can live and act upon. Doctrines
arc of minor Importance to me-
's A bad state of heart I'm afraid my dear.
Doctrines are the key stone and foundation
of the Christian religion. and we cannot
dwell on them too much. How are we ever
to train up our children in godliness. unless
! we paw earnest heed to the doctrines?' and
the good man looked as wise as an owl, as
he glanced around upon the olive branches,
| to every one of whom, had he but known it,
their mothers daily life and example was
more salutary and probable sermon than all
the doctrinal ones Parson Winslow could un-
earth from his musty stores.
After prayers, when the mornings work
had been done up as briefly and quietly as
! possible, John was called up and set To his
task Z" The 5oth chapter OF Isaiah you see.
| from the Sd verse to the Sth, verses. Now
| learn them by heart, and never let me hear
you wonder ing again W ho made Fast days
| It's trihing with sacred things And the
! Deacon turned to the COngregatlonaiist, and
read with keen gusto a long article on Eiec-
ton, while John went into the bedroom,
where his mother was hearing Achsah read
| her daily chapter in the Testament, aad with
! her help and explanations was soon learning
his lesson with real interest and pleasure
The three older boys had gone up stars to
their room, each with tract which their
father handed them to read and mediate
upon. Nothing being heard from them, they
were supposed to be absorbed in reading and
| meditation, but a close observer might have
seen them lounging at the window in the
spring sunlight, comparing Iack-kniyes and
telling stories, while the tracts were literally
laid the table, like perplexing questions
at business meeting.
John came out from the bedroom presently,
| and recited his task in ready and intelli-
gent way, which showed that his mother :
explanations had been of great assistance.
That will do said his father, handing
back the Bible, '"now never forget those
verses as long as you live. They tell how a
Fast day ought to be kept just the idea I've
always had. Now hustle about and wash
your ears, for its time 20 get ready for meet
ing
. My head aches said johnny, = don t
want to 90 to meeting
- One of your Sunday headaches guess.
was the rather incredulous reply, but here
Mrs. Jones came out of the bedroom to in
tercedc. Johnny rather subject to head
aches on other than meeting days, and 1t was
TOO cold and rough for Daring to ride so far
! with her hoarse cough; she thought at least
they two, had better stay at home.
The Deacon was a great sticklcr for chill
dren to be always sent TO meeting. Though
they lived two miles from church the boys
were all expected To walk both ways every
Sabbath. save when the deep SHOWS Of winter
prevented then they all packed into
the red box sleigh with their parents, and old
Dolly pulled and heaved, and heaved and
pulled while she drew them all t. church
and back again.
- Boys called the Deacon at the foot of
the stairs, come down and get ready for
meeting
Il can't possibly 60 to meeting, father.
said Matthew, he entered the kitchen,
- you know | couldn't last Sunday because
new ones vet
= Sho I'd forgotten about that. Well,
Mark and Luke can 60. must yet those
boots before Sunday
IF go" said Mark. = shall have to
dance all meeting time. as like as not. for my
chilblains plague me to pieces got my
feet we. yesterday, gathering sap, that 1t
has brought on Il new batch of them.
The Deacon tormentcd with chilblains
himself, 50 Mark had his sympathy for once.
and was allowed to stay at home
- You II have To mend my coat. mother.
said Luke, YOU know ripped it awfully
last sunday
"Oh YES and had forgotten all about
it," exclaimed Mrs. Jones = ought 10
have to il helore'
.. Guess | wouldn 60 To sewing to-day.
interposed the Deacon - the proclamation
commands us to abstain from usual en-
ployments. Luke will have To stay at home
with the rest. But it seems very wrong 10
see only two AT meeting on Fast Day. out of
our numerous family.
Half an hour later old Dolly was harnessed
into the wagon, and the parents drove off,
with many parting injunctions to the boys
to be good and quiet, and to take good care of
the fires
'.Rememher Fast Day and keep it holy, :
said Matthew. a. he came in from helping
them off, =. Book of Jones. lX |. Now,
little Acts. don't You want some popped
corn ? Here's nice bed of Goals
So while John and Aclsah shelled the
corn Matthew popped it and the other boys
got out the checker board and plunged head
and ears into game of checkers. And when
at last they had eaten all they could of the
full white kernels. John busted himself with
broom and dustpan in removing all traces of
the litter, while Matthew marked out on the
slate fox and geese board, and set himself
to play that interesting game with his little
sister First he had the geese. and allowed
her 10 lump them off. one after another. till
they were all gone, protesting all the while
against his bad luck ana then he took the
fox, and by suggesting to her one move after
another. let her pen him up completely. so
charming her with her brilliant success that
she capped her little hands and laughed till
the old kitchen rang with music.
Meanwhile the good Deacon and his wife
plodded on through the mud. and in the face
of the chilly north wind. towards the old
meeting house.
Il hope the BOYS will be quiet and reIueDi
ber what day it is" sighed the Deacon.
- somehow they seem dreadful rude and un-
manageable"
-. believe. - said Mrs Jones' gently.
- that when You have wild colts to manage
| it is better to leave the reins little loose.
| than to draw them so tight as to break them. =
Well. thatll do in poetry, but 'tisnt
according to Scripter Solomon. the wisest
of men, exhorts ue to strong, thorough fam
| lily government.
g And so do believe in good government,
but there are different ways of attaining it
Our bows and presume children general.
are far more easily led than driven. l never
have trouble to make them mind me-
That's because they know I'd be after
them directly if they didn't mind YOU said
| the vain-glorious Deacon. man-like. striving
| to secure to himself all the credit
Il don't think So. And they are all 50
good and gentle to little Darling They will
not be half SO rude and noisy at home to-day
because Of her being with them. And do
think they are fully as COED as boys will av-
eragc They are all trusty and faithful when