Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-01-08
First Cost of a Man or Woman.

An economic journal enters into curious
calculation as to the actual cost in dollars
and cents, which man or woman would
be to the world and society by the time he
or she got old enough to begin to pay ex-
penses.' or return back to the country
what thus far had been expended in rear
ing their population.
Every baby, it is fair TO assume, when
properly brought up, costs its parents at
least fifty dollars year, an expense which
increases largely as food, clothing, the
shelter of warm home. education, and
spending money are required for the grow
inc child. The actual cost up to the fif
teenth wear, of each child in this Republic,
is certainly not less than 4 thousand dol
lars. At that age its labor would be worth
it, subsistence. Not till it reaches the age
of eighteen (and a great many not even
them does it really begin 10 be productive.
For every 100000 children the nation has
to produce six or eight millions of dollars
consumed without adding at all to produc
ton. To rear that number of children to
a productive age certainly costs a hundred
millions of dollars, without any profit
whatever in return. Herein is the great
value of immigration. This great Repub
lie receives into its broad and glorious bo-
emigrants from the old world. OF course
two-thirds. perhaps seven-eighths,t are
adults, ready grown for us by Europe at
her cost up to the productive point, when
they come to our shores to give US the
benefit of their toll Annually does Eu-
rope labor industriously to produce and
raise for our Republic, free Of cost. more
than 100000 persons, who We could not
of
$500. 100000. No wonder that we grow
rich and prosperous, for the loss of the
world Is our gain, and all countries are
nursing mothers for ours.
RELIGION ATTRACTIvE.-The way to
make ekhurch-membership thing sought
and shared is to show that it is thing
worth having. / would not join a church
that spent its time in petty debates, and
wasted its energies in party struggles /
would not if were a child be attracted to
nv fathers church if round his table /
heard nothing but sharp criticism of SER
mons, covert insinuations against minis
tiers, scandal about fellow members, or if
in his house l met bad temper and careless
living on the part of them who went next
dav to the communion. But let them
adorn their profession and / am drawn to
it. Let them so live that | identify with
Christ and with His church all that is holi
est and happiest in my little world. Let
religion mean not melancholy mystery
for old people, coming out in long family
prayers and scraps of DIR. Watts, and
omnibus shaking of the head over every
youthful pecca,lillo; but a secret of bright
faces and kind words and helpful acts; a
thing to take the bitterness out of sorrow.
and roll away the cloud of sin, and knit
Young hearts to Christ their Saviour. and
set them in the way to heaven, Many
such homes we have. and there, | think.
YOU will see the old charm still working,
not without exception. for every child has
a will of his own, but as Divine rule, a
gracious disposition of the Divine purpose;
there is the household of faith gathered
round the family altar. round the Lords
table; the sons plants grown up in their
youth. the daughters as corner stones
polished after the similitude of Il palace.
.Rer ". Brock. Jr., IN London Freeman.