The union Democrat., 1870-10-22
NUMBER 20,


NOW ue Mamhstera Live In these DmyaV
Mr.. EDITOR Allow me. through the col
unhns of your paper, to commend the follow
ing SELECTED" article to the attention Of all
the members Ct our chnrches-atd especially
those whose duty it is to see that their Min
lister is "kept free from anxious care" De-
pend upon it there are many Of oar Ministers
in these times, who live and preach By des
nying themselves and families many, even Of
the neccssaries Of life.
How do Ministers live in these days ssid
Mr.. Brown the merchant, to Mr.. Smith, the
Preacher, after weighing out to him few
pounds OF sugar, at 25cts per pound, and
measuring OF few yards Of calico, at thirty
cents per yard. Mr.. Smith hesitated. Mr..
Brown was not professor Of religions ana
be did not wish to say anything which conid
in the least discredit the church. "Tkcy tell
me-" Mr.. Brown continued, ''that your sal.
airy has not been raised, and I always sup
posed it was small enough; aud now, when
$500 is scarcely worth as much as $500 wns
some time ago, can't imagine how tou
make It do" just at this moment ths door
opened and Dea. Jones entered the store tbs
merchant intent on the subject. went ON
Good morning, Mr.. Jones, I have iust asked
Mr.. Smith how Ministers live 10 these daSa
Of high prices?" "Tha. is a question which
have been asking myself lately,h repiied
the Deacon, "and would he glad 20 hear
our Minister answer it," Mr.. Smith thus
appealed to. said, There are some Minister'S
18th asa a loNs knp An...
with other things. We will not speak Of
them. But you ask Low those live who have
only the same amount of money, which,
three years ago they thought comforta-
BILE support. | will divide them into three
classes. The first are men who have some
property, and they fall back on that. and are
spending it pretty rapidly. Others are get.
ting in debt and his fear is the case with
too many. The third class cannot do ns the
first, and will not do as the second, and 10th.
ing remains for them, if they live within
their means, but sternest self denial. NV
salary is as you know, focr hundred dollars.
per annum, and house to live in. must
keep horse and carriage, and wear them
out pretty rapidly, too, and the cost of keen
ing, is at least with the present prices. ora
hundred year. Then there is the wear and
tear of carriage and harness. and incidentals,
which ought to be reckoned fifty more. IL
costs me six dollars a cord for wood or ten
| dollars ton for coal. and ! must keep at
least two fires. A place to study is indis.
pensable to my usefulness, and whatever else
| is given up must have the fire in the study
when it is needed. 1t will cost forty dollars
a year for fuel. and then you see, that nearly
two hundred of the four is used IN. and YOU
ask how /. my wife and two children live ON
the other two hundred; will tell you. We
live on bread and water. Tea, coffee, sugar
and butter have been, one efter the ether.
given up, except when we have companv.
The old clothes are mended and worn. hut
my wife says that cannot he done much Ion.
ger. Books and periodicals are given IN:
and the hand which once dispensed charity
TO the poor, is empty, This is the way tl,et
| and many others are living. If this was
our Just proportion of the public burden, we
would not complain; but it does seem hard
to be deprived Of those comforts to which we
had become accustomed, while every BODY
around US enjoys them, and lays up money
besides. "Why have you not spoken of this
before" said the Deacon. ITS not p.easaas
to complain" was the reply. BESIDES, the
whole community know what my salary H.,
and many of them must know that I receive
less favors than formerly. Three years ago..
when butter was twenty cents a Mound. We
had as much given us as we needed, bat sinrs
il has been thirty or over. we have not had a
plat OF milk or on ounce of butter exeant
what we have paid the market price for. Il
is too valuable now 10 give awav, and the
same is true of other things" ''This is too
bad, )" said the Deacon.
"Too bad, !" said Mr.. Brown, "and will fell
you deacon what you ought to do,n syou
and most of you farmers ought to pay
your subscriptions in butter, cheese, pork, or
| whatever he wants, at old prices, or else give
him twice the amount Of money, my suIr
scription is ten dollars, and he may take it in
goods out of the store ct whatever they were
worth two years ago, or / will pay him
twenty in money" Il can't say there il anv
injustice in that" was the reply, land iwifI
try to get the people to come up to it, 'you
pay all other laborers about twice the old
prices. and don't know why minister
should live OH bread and water more thcn
other folks"
This little story comes to me at fine.
when think it can be made applicable TO
some of our mountain communities. If this
minister Zone of many was obliged to give
up so many OF the comforts Of life, with four
hundred dollars year, what self denial those
must practice who are obliged to live on two
hundred, and support large family as well :?
Christ said 'the laborer was worthy Of his
hire and let those who profess TO be his fol-
lowers. consider veil this aging Of his. and be
careful and tender of their Pastors feelings
| | fOrbear more.
Orb CofrsBIA