Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-08-18

and home-such az it is--together Let
us not murmur against God while we are
not separated"
"Murmur against Cod, Mary 2 No. Be
cause it is not Ms will that, after bearing
the burden and heat Of the day, we should
lack the necessarcs of life. His word di-
reefs different state Of things'
Yet lie permits it" answered the wife,
softly And so it must be among all
things that work for good"
ain Bible language | reply, oh, woman,
great is thy faith God also permits great
wickcdness TO exist That does not make
wrong right. Neither does it lessen our
claim TO a decent subsistence. The church
really owes us living. The pittance mcted
out to us, a. necessitous cases, is not a
charity, but is a small part Of what is due 20
ms. When joined the Conference, in 1913,
it was with the understanding that il be-
cnme disabled 10y illness or age. our quarter
age-as il was called should be a sure re-
lance. That is one hundred dollars O. year
for each Of u.s.
" Yes; ! remember"
"Well, / believed this, aud with mo- more
provision for possible old age. gave up all
thought OF making money, and took cheer
fully. as you know, whatever part Of ia,
work was appointed 30 me. Aud for reward
haye'-he hcsitated.
80 In the world to come, eternal life.'
" Yes, Mary. Thank God for that But
IL ia his world we ar discussing. Last year
one hundred aud fifty dollars was doled out
10 us. Fifty less than the promised quater.
age. This year. 10 consideration of this
poor cottage, which your brother be1ucathed
10 you, and which could not sell il tried,
q. L..
Is not enough 10 starve on respectfully II
our neighbors did not help us, We should bee
obliged to seek aid from the town"
awe have good neighbors to be thankful
for" said the wife, true comforter as she
was. II was not often that her husband he
came so despondent, but this morning his
bodily ailments aud his cherries surround
ings had been too much for him
often think" he went on, " that a town
pauper can maintain his seli-respect, while
a church pauper feels as If he We're stealing.
DO YOU remember, Mary how The church
papers during the centenary year, were
filed with glowing accounts nf our wealth
aud numbers \ little corner Of each pa.
per should have been filled with statements
Of the poverty Of the fathers whose labos
had laid the foundation of such prosperity"
" Ah Norman, as these things cannot be
helped, let us eat our morsel this morning
with thankful hearts Let me push this little
table nearer so that yOu can reach il without
stirring from the fire. We shall not have
many days 50 cold as tlis The spring will
soon be here. and you will feel better when
you can get out of doors. Sitting in this
one room, day after day. depresses your srir-
its. Cheer up. Norman. We haven't many
years before us, You aud J."
The mans face frightened little in spite
OF himself lie looked up with whimsical
smile ON his face.
" We ought 10 live many years. Mary, for
we can't afford to die We haven't money
enough in the world TO pay for a funeral"
" "Wewon't worry about that. People al
WAYS get buried somehow, ( have noticed.
You are feeling better, ! See. Your courage
is thawiug out. The tea has done you good"
" You are sunbeam Mary Bat don't waste
yourself, for we shall need all the light You
can give before spring. wonder often how
you keep up your hopeful spirit amid such
dishearteuing circumstances. You are not
naturally so strong in that line as am"
The wife replied, as she often did, With a
text Of Scriptnre--"' lie gireth power to the
faint, and 30 them that have no might be- in
creaseth strength.
Norman Perry looked up INTO his wile's
face with feeling of reverence. She was a
weak plain-loOking woman, so frail a. to
suggest fear OF her slipping out of his life !;
and yet she was to him tower Of strength.
The bare room, the scanty comforts Of the
table, even her own physical suiierings, were
cheeriully accepted a, coming from God.
lie found less grace TO endure them
49, And having food aud raiment, let Us
herewith be content" quoted the wife, an
swering his thoughts rather than his words.
Mary" he answered, smiling mischiey-
ously, if the apostle hal lived in this eli
mate, he would have added, a shelter from
the blast and good fire. to his list lie
knew nothing about a New England winter"
" Al, Norman. Jet rs forget AL this while
We engage in our morning deyutions God
is still our Fathcr-our Father who will not
forget us. Let us enter into His presence
with thanksgiving.
Then the wife, kneeling by the side of her
husband, who was not strong enough 10 kneel,
in everything with prayer aud thauksgiy-
ing made their requests known unto God"
And " the peace Of God which passeth un-
derstauding" filled their hearts; aud the
bleak. comfortlrSs room became " heavenly
place in Christ Jesus. Tile Mehbiid.