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

{ would draw the multitude. But AZ. Jata;i' ,, -
OF administration are not imuoriant nos,
would like to hear what objections are rsj.oi
to the general scheme.r
Several faces turned 10 judge Darlev
whose position and dnifed manners ard
uprlghtness were invariably associated In
peoples minds with good Judgment. In
decd, he had good judgment when there was
somebody to judge well for him, or when, on
tno other hand, he was left TO himself by his
wite and sister. When presiding al conrt.
he succeeded 10 markell decree n MAJ
tanning justice between contendinQ LAWYERS
neither his perception nor his learnine was
at iault then but when he came within the
range OF domestic influence, he was guided
largely by others. AZ "Maria had been
ehe inspiration Of his good deeds In bovhood.
ana was often now a sort Of moral tonic to
MN, so has aristocratc wife frequently
checked his better impulses when they ran in
the direction Of unfashionable benevoience.
81 think the mass Of those whom YOU de-
sire TO furnish with decent place of resort
are hopelessly degraded" said he. aThey
wouldn't thank you for lifting them out Of
the mire. To attempt 20 do IL would only
soli hands and clothes to no purpose. II we
snonid not succeed IN this grand plan OF rle-
vatlng the masses by the social application
| upon the church."
Mrs. Judge barley smiled approvinrlv. and
east q look Of triumph in the direction OF
Mrs' Byttes. But Mrs. Byttes did not feel
the intended hurt. A keen-eved observer
might have detected quiet satisfaction in
the manner with which she listened 10 her
husband, who then began TO speak.
| " Twenty-Five years ago-ludrc Darley
Viii remember trod the very verge of ruin
IN the companionship Of The grog-shdp, and
was rescued simply by the exhibition OF
CHRISTIAN Kindness. There were those then
VINO despalred OF me there were many
VINO said that 'Old Byttcs' leavings were
| hopelessly degraded: there were s0,ne who
would not have soiled their hands by prasn-
ing niue in social, friendly way but there
was one man who did not count the reproach
oil possible failure; who believed that lost
men could be saved by the powor Of love;
and TO him owe IL to-day that am not a
miserable outcast. AIy dear and venerable
friend, he continued, walking over to where
President Blake wa seated. and taking him
by the hand, to-day, | again thank Won
most heartily for lifting me out Of the mire.
You saved me from evil companions from
vices already more rank than you supposed,
aud you saved me from my own despair"
The old man was deeply affected, and
s"',a ii'N ~ iAlr press illilNelf lie shook
his bead and finally found sufficient COM
mand of himself to say, Not |. nv son. Il
was the work Of One kinder and mightier
than l."
Yes, you are right it was the Lords DO
ing. and to him be the praise. But he
worked through your generous aud cordial
treatment OF me, through your faith in the
possibilityof saving me, and willingness to
meet trangressor on a social level"
Mrs Saybrook now joined Mr.. Byttes. and
taking the other hand of the aged president,
she said am another brand plucked
by the same faith in the power Of social
gospel: Shall ! ever forget your wife's pa
tient dealing with me ,"
ltwas fearful moment. and the emotion
OF the three persons most concerned in this
resurrection Of the past, was shared by many
Others present who were familiar with the
history Of the Byttes children. OF Mr..
Blake's part in their redemption, they also
knew something. When Mr. Byttes went
on to explain how much was due to the
! sympathy and confidence expressed through
social intercourse how little hold churches
and sermons had upon the boy and girl until
an afternoon visit and tea.time had opened
their hearts for the entrance Of hope and
duty, the faces of his auditors lost their ex-
preston OF doubt and indifference But
| when, at the close of his remarks, Mr. Ames,
the man without a character, stepped for
ward and narrated with utter franSness the
dreadful story of his secret dissipations, and
showed how that many who had shared the
outlines with him might have been saved
by little encouragement from others wiser
than themselves, while he had been kept
only by the fact of having a reputation TO
| sustain, there was evidently no person pres
ent who did not accept the uumentioncd in
ference. Indeed il would not be easy 10 de-
eide which history was the more convincing
that Of Mr.. Byttes, the strongest character
IN the community or that of Mr.. Ames, the
weakest
Mr.. Ernest then said I'VE must reniem-
ber, however, that social opportunities only
furnish an occasion for proper working of
an active Christian example in aid of the
spoken truth. The Maker Of rich and poor
would have them meet together that they
may instruct each other in the practical
problems of Christianity, In all that con.
Germs their relation to him they are on
common level, but they can never fully real-
ize this unless they habitually meet under
circumstances which involve neither conde-
scelfsion OH the one side, nor seryilty on the
other. This they ought aiacag to be able to
do, but ii is downright PROCLAMATION TO carry
into the place set apart to the worship Of
God, the pride and the odous conventional
comparisons OF earthly distinction. There
fore, would have free seats; and then |
would also afford other opportunities, such
as. this club will give, for the more varied
and secular operation of what call Social
0AriShdnny"
" Sermon number two, said Mr.. Stephen
barley, slyly and goodnaturedy at which
the pastor laughed, and the others slid off
into still more Informal conversation.
AS theresult OF this conference, the church
was made free, the clubhouse was built and
furnished, and is to-day the resort both of
workingmen and women, and Of many per-
sons who once Thought that II "would do
well enough for poor folk = and although in
temperance still has many victims, vet hun
drcds who would fall a prey TO 1t, have
learned TO cultivate and enjoy their higher
natures, being helped TO this by the cordial,
nnassuning cooperation of those who have
more attractive homes and higher social adj
vantagss. That Mr., and Mrs, Byttes and
! Mrs. Sayhrook should he conspicuous in
pushing forward the good work was 10 be
expected but il IL one chief proof of the
value of this enterprise, that it has stirred
4 up to activity, in Christian labor such as
I were luke-warm, unbelieving, or IN a meas
IRE conforrled to the spirit of the world.
I The fashionable Mrs, barley is librarian,
and cares quite as much for the readers as
for the looks, and Mr.. Henry Ames, who
might bave been easily kept out of all use
| fliness by an unforgiving popular senti-
ment, Is one Of the most active and success
I ful members of the FaiSille church. Not
one OF Squire Darley's workmen now declines
! to attend public worship, for he not only as
before pays them their wages promptly, but
he has learned 10 meet them everywhere, not
Us condescending employer, but as a Chris
tian brother The club is not regarded as a
/ charity, but as public institution, the prop
erty OF all, aud has no opponents except the
| liquor-scllers. Old Mr.. Blake sees in the ac-
tiyiy of his pupils, the work of the Lord
prospering; aud wonders not q little that
characters so diverse, should display SO much
of the unity of that Spirit which works in
the hearts Of all men, whether they be rich
or poor, learned or ignorant, strong byreason
Of healthful training in youth, or weighted
with the mistakes Of a hundred generations.
! tf. lrnE ESp.l
IIoMR LItT.-It Is the fashion of restless