Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-11-26
Watohman s. journal.
WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER 26, 1873
For the Watchman.
Suggestions for Hard Times.

In the first place, it does not become any
to sit down in a depressed, complaining
iault.hndiug, inactive mood. 1t does not
become good mariner, when, amid ocean.
the storm is raging aud bowling about him,
though the waves roll like mountains un.
chained, aud the ship groans in every tim.
Der, to sit down dcspoudingIy, and say,
" We are lost we shall 90 to wreck But
It is for him to see what he can do to keen
the ship steadily drifting before the wind,
aud to save himself from disaster. Nor
does it become good farmer, though clouds
veil the sky, and the fierce storm RACES up.
propitiousy for him, or for his work to sit
down and bemoan the situation let him
brave the storm like man, and protect
himself as best be can SO 10 the midst
Of the present auctuating times, let us not
prove ourselves unmanly or cowar1ly; let
us not look dcspondngly on the situation
let US be resouie. brave, hopeful let each
one do the best he can 10 make the times
better especially let US look up to Him
who is our refuge aud strength, and ask
Him to guide US safely through the storm,
to drive away the clouds, and give us
clear sky, and return Of our usual pros.
perity.
In the second place, if the times are hard
let a. study and practice a rigid economy.
| do not mean an ungenerous, stingy, nig.
gardly economy, that will not allow US to
do justice to ourselves, or to those depend.
cnt upon US, but an economy that is wisely
regulated according to our circumstances.
aud our means Of living The good sailor
loves TO sail before the breeze with full
spread canvass, but he will reef sails amid
the storm, and take them in according to
the severity Of the gale he has to encounter
80, though We may greatly prefer the flush
Of prosperity, aud the luxuries that lively
times will give Us, we should learn, If need
he, how to live closer, and within more lin.
tied means, when the times are hard. You
do not know how much you can economise,
and how independently you can live on
more limited means, until you learn and
put 10 practice the lesson. You, doubtless,
have INDUCED in maoy things which you
would be just as healthy, just as happy
just as well of for this world, oud far bet
ter for the next, if you would do without
them. Many are now slaves to appetite
10 fashion, TO vanity, to some folly who
might break the bond Of their thraIiom, if
they would only practice wise economy.
Many now work hard to bring the year
round 10 flush way Of living, who would
bring il around very smoothly and inde-
peudently, by the study Of closer and wiser
prudence Many, who bear the name Of
Christ, would be far better Christians irI
they would study little more closely how
to live within the means at hand. The
iu,h times through which We have been
passing for several years past, have not
been adapted to teach US lessons Of econ.
omy, but rather those Of looseness. extrav.
agance and prodigality; and one thing,
doubtless, which God, whose hand beyond
all doubt is in the present revulsion, de-
signs to teach Us, is to live more wisely,
more prudently, more economically, and
prove that We can stand, not fall, when
hard times come. We have been living
on a priuccly scale, and well is it now for
us to stop aud study irugaliy