Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-05-05


both friends aud the honorable opponents q
itwould understand each other, and unite il
| preventing needless diversions This plar
was often resortcd to by the best mon and
women of Fairyille as q means Of scouting
| greater unity, aud preventing bad men from
pruhting 10y the division of good aud minor
! points. II was quite q matter Of surprise to
most OF those who constituted this gathering
70 soc Mr., Byttcs enter, evidently leading In
Mr.. Ames. The lattor, Notwithstanding hi.
escaping accommodation by the skin OF
his tecth-shatis Is 10 say, 10y penitent confes.
| sion which most persons regarded as o mere
stroke OF policy, had lost caste. lie had been
unsuccessful in villainy and was therefore a
pariah. But Mr.. Byttes' influence and de
oidad manner proved 10 be au extinguisher
OF audible murmurs and both the gentlemen
look their seats in the circle formed by the
settces about the center Of the hall.
CHAPTER Xxx.
SOCIAL cInusriANfrY.
There were present at this friendly con
ference the now venerable President Blake
Mr. Ernest, the new minister; Mrs. Say.
brook, ths inatron of the asylum, whom we
formerly knew as forlon Sarah Byttes and.
in company with several whom il is not
worth while 10 introduce separately to oln'
readers, all Of the surviving personages
which have figured in this story. The pro
ceeding5 Were entirely informal two or
three friends Of the new enterprise leading
of in the conversation, and inviting by
their manner whatever OF comment or ques-
tion the others might choose to interiect.
"We have come together" said Mrs.
byttes, "as neighbors and Friends, TO talk
L. IL.
der that when it comes up for public action
we may at least not misunderstood each
other Mr.. Ernest, since you are the origin
ator OF the movement, please give us a
ground plan Of it,"
"You are all with me, know, in the
main object which have in view," replied
Mr. Ernest. We want 10 have the rich
and poor meet together under humanizing
influences to oounteract the influence of
the liquor.saloons 10 encourage self.control
and sell,fespeot In all classes more particu-
larly In the so-called laboring class, who now
have almost no opportunities Of that sort
Ny conviction is that this can never be ac.
complished by preaching alone; least OF all
| by preaching TO the owners of pews. Tn,
| gospel must be carried TO all men embodied
IN daily conduct, in practical benefcence
IN Christian deeds and institutions, as wei
as in verbal statements, II ii is to max,
deep and wide impression. When we hav,
thrown open the church to the unrestricte,
use of all, we have only issued an invitation
We must so farther, and compel people t.
come in."
My factory hands" said Squire barley
"know that pews are rented for them in the
gallery, and | often urge them to 20 TO
church | can't see that anything more eau
he done in that direction"
81 find the poor among whom visit, look
| ing up my little Nafs," remarked Mrs. Say
brook, very sensitive about occupying char
ity benches as they call the seats in the
gallery"
al suppose that It is part Of Christianity
for every one 10 know and keep his place, Is
it not, Mr. Ernest 2" asked Mrs Judge Darley.
Z" To have respect of persons is not good,''
replied he. "and the Apostle james makes
special mention of this partiality at church."
The ministerdid not complete the quotation
about the man with gold ring and that
other "with vile rainent, for he was too SER
peut-dove.like 70 excite opposition or wound
feeling by the appearance of personal allli-
sion. lie know that Mrs. barley and her
husband would take the implied reproof
more proftably TO heart if they thonght IL
out for themselves So he went on 10 say,
" The plan Of free seats at church is clearly
connected with the project for club.rooul,
but it is not the special object which we are
here to discuss. merely wished To show that
that part of the gospel minstration which
consists in public worship must be as free
as this other part. There should be no sclism
in ministering the principles of Christianity.
Without price is the keynote of heavenly
music upon earth. But I'm preaching" he
said, in laughing manner, and went on,
We want To- get men away from the bar
rooms, We have tried temperance ltrtur-
ing. we have tried TO enforce the prohibitpry
law, we have circulated pledges and prose-
cuted rumsellers hut none Of these meas
ures have eifectually reached the class that
is most exposed. SO long as men are igno-
rant and neglected, they will yield to the
temptation Of low sensual pleasures. At
present our bar.rooms are the most ATTRACTIVE
places Of resort for poor man IN Pairville
II we cannot shut them up, our only alterna-
| tive is TO make some other more, attractive
We eannot keep men away from the only
places outside their homes where they meei
a whole-hearted welcome, where they are mol
restricted by formalilies, or bya feeling oI
caste or dependence"
/ lltN kp lpl Atilllhf HAtt A1NNut ifhlltl
it Ia drink that is the chief attraction"
Very true" replied the parson, sat least
| in many eases. But many who have not YET
become addicted TO drinking, find the saloo,
the most free and easy, independent, socia
resort in the town for them"
Hogs love the mire," suggested Mrs
barley.
q" Not NO much ~ you think" mterpose,
Mr.. Byttes. "These men have low tastes
they are ignorant they cannot appreciat,
any high order Of recreation, but they like
hearty grasp OF the hand to chat with
neighbor, TO exchange ideas with such a
know how TO sympathize with them. Jhei
social instincts ara natural and proper, anc
il is pity that bad men should show nor'
readiness TO pervert these instincts than
Christians do 10 turn them TO good account
II they could find as much social attraction
elsewhere, and the addition of some simple
but elevating amusement, all but the most
degraded of them would seek IL, in prefer
ence 10 the dram-shop."
"That is what | aim at in proposing a
clubhouse" said Mr.. Ernest. ~ would
make il a Free aud Easy whore the poor
! est man would feel at home, as comfortable
and cheerful and practical in its appoint
ments as il is possible 10 make IL and then,
in the place of liquor, ] would furnish enter
tainment which would be at once popular
improving and cheap. There should be a
library in which most Of the books should
be within the comprehension Of the laboring
man; readingroom restaurant where,
at actual cost prices, good refreshments conld
be had conversation and bathrooms, and a
conoert-hall open every evening. All the
privileges Of the club should DO open TO all,
men and women, on payment of one penny
upon entering the building"
How, then, would you support the en-
terprise I" asked Squire barley.
"The building and library should be
given TO the Lord" replied the minister, " IS
churches are---or ought to be-a clean gift
unncumbered by debt or rent. Tho restau-
rant would support itself, and the rest OF the
running expenses would be met by this pal