Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-03-22

Letter from nartlaMd.
HARTLAND, W., MARCH 13, 76.

FRIEND McMAsTrR Dear Sir:
noticed a short article in last week
AGE signed Hartland, Boy. Pleas
allow me space in your valuable papc
for a few remarks. The author O
said article reminds me of an old TO
RVS toast at a Fourth of July celebra
ton, soon after the close of the war O
1912 and II. After the drinking of :
number OF toasts in memory of ou
glorious victory, this old Tory wa,
called upon for a sentiment. Ht
arose and said: "The North American
Eagle, she spread her wings and flew al
over the United States, went into Canada
lost her tail feathers, and came home
again" As much as to say that sending
our army into Canada was failure. Oul
worthy friend spread his wings and gave
three or four vigorous flaps, aud sailed
into unknown space. Yet he has not an.
swercd the questions at all. 1t was, this
Is it deed of mercy and charity for pro-
feSsed christians to give to the rich, who
need no gifts, when we have the poor in
our midst who are in actual want of the
common neccSsaries of life? well know
what the practice is in regard to wedding
annivers aries. But docs that practice
make it an act of mercy and charity? But
says our worthy friend: we give to the
poor if they Try to help themselves and
are not too lazy to earn their bread by hon
est toll. Did our friend ever see a poor
man that he did not call lazy? That is not
the reason, Mr.. Editor. The reason is
this: poor people are not popular, and the
rich do not wish TO 90 to the same Ilcav-
en- with the poor. Popularity makes the
old mare go. We have class of people
in lIartland who turn up their noses to
the poor man and say (hy actions,) stand
aside for am more holy than thou. My
| friend asks why his brother does not get
a paper, put down Il good sum, pass it
over and see how charitable the people
arS? For the reason that / lave not a
pocket book Overlooking with bank bills.
Again, am waiting for those who are so
richly able to put the ball in motion that
the sinners may sec their good works, and
thereby know that they are glorious
people. | would ask my worthy friend
nUw viS sum tuaC poor man got whose
wedding anniversary was celebrated a
short time since? Me thinks hear voice
from Heaven saying about one halt as
much as the wealthy man. And an angel
wrote in the book Of life one half. My
worthy friend says that what calls them
together or such occasions, with valuable
presents, is the love and respect they
have for them. 1t appears by his theory
that they did not love this poor man with
such undying love as they did the wealthy
man. Some time during the rebellion |
heard wealthy man say that the rich
mans money must go against the poor
mans blood. They look down upon the
poor working man rs poor lazy shiftess
dog, not worthy of notice, and not hardly
fit to live and breathe the same air that
they do. | will tell of one instance in
proof of my assertion, which came under
my own observation. When was Il boy
my father lived near Il very wealthy man,
who had married poor girl. They had
been married but Il few years before her
father Il poor old man, whose torn was
bowed down with years came to see his
alas, how did she receive her poor old
father? She would not give him q lodging
for the night, but drove him from her
door to seek Il shelter for the night among
strangers in Il strange land. Why was
this so: The old man was poor and she
thought it would lower her standing in
society for her associates to know that
such poor old man was her father. If q
poor man meets one of these high headed
chaps abroad, he will not even deign to
notice the poor man, by word or action,
but will pass by on the other side with
head erect and with step so lofty that one
would suppose that he was lord of all ere
alton. 1t is not SO with all wealthy co.
pie. We have some among us who are
kind and generous to the poor, and of
such is the kingdom of Heaven. If my
worthy friend asks for more proof, l can
give him line upon line and precept upsn
precept until they number thousands.
Yours. ONE OF THE READERS.