Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1878-11-18
Stewardship.

| udoliiJ UioiOOinS AOioCll VI ouI'uoVl
wraps, descended to the dining-room.
The rest of the family had preceded
her there, and were rather impatiently
waiting for her to appear.
81 beg your pardon, my DEAR" she
said, addressing her husband, as he laid
down the carving knife and fork which
had been in active service to save time.
before saying grace, "but l was detain-
ed longer than intended by the last
call made. will tell you about it
presently
I hope you did not forget Mrs. Lacey"
said he, little while after when there
came little lull in the busy chatter
which always made the social meal such
happy one with the young people of
the family.
"You know l spoke of your doing SO,
as particularly desirable just at that
time"
A smile came into Mrs. Williams
face.
Eyes, | called there; and very Pc
culiar call it was, too p
"Not unpleasantly so, I trust p said
Mr.. Williams.
"On the contrary, it was very delight
full. She has most beautiful place,
and she and her family seem especially
endowed with the faculty of making
all around them as happy as themselves.
Still, l must confess, she made me feel
very uncomfortable for few minutes,
as never felt before in all my life."
Mr. Williams and the children looked
expectant and interested, and Mrs. Will
liams went on.
"After few minutes pause in the
usual chit-chat of how she was pleased
with her new home and servants, and
hoping she would soon feel entirely at
home in the neighborhood, and especial
ly in our church, where we would be
most happy to see her, l went on to de-
scant upon its glories, how strong and
large it was, what an eloquent preacher
DR.. G. is, and that we should esteem
her and her family a great acquisition. /"
"What did she say?' enquired Mr..
Williams with interest.
Say? She is certainly the oldest
woman l ever saw She said, Thank
you very much for your kind attention.
but | don't think you need me at all in
this vicinity?' why, yes.' l said, i
believe there is little church started
in E. street, but it is small, and poor,
: and hardly able to support pastor l
am told. Of course you would not wish
to 60 there"
"Why not ?" said she quite coolly.
"Why," said I, "because, as | said.
it is only beginning, with no persons
I of culture and refinement to carry it on.
1t could not be agreeable to be in such
r company"
"She sat so still, with such an
earnest, searching look into my face,
, that began to feel positively confused,
' and added hastily and your children,
? Mrs. Lacey. l assure you that in oul
church they would have the best society
= and religious culture; our pastor and
: our deacons are all men of strength, and
e delight in giving it to the service o1
God
"I do not doubt it, my dear mad
ann said Mrs. Lacey, very gently, fol
= she saw, 1 think, that l was getting ex
f cited, but will tell you plainly, tha
t one object l had in view in deciding tt
buy this house, was the opportunity
!, saw there would be for my children ant
myself to assist in building up this same
= little feeble church. l shall consider i
# 1t very great favor and blessings to b
e allowed to do so.'
+" But the society," I stammered. fo
{ somehow her earnestness had confus
n ing effect upon me; you would not wan
II your daughters to be familiarly associat
IS ed with the families which make vi
: that congregation, would you? Goo
. people no doubt, mostly mechanics 0
hands from factories and shops
= "'Most certainly l should she re
r piled, in all the relations in which
y would be necessary for them to be so. ]
le they have been blessed above others the
r should use those advantages in helpin
>. along those less favored than themselves
,t Nor is the favor all on one side; the
will have enough of what is calle
ly good society," but the advantage 1 ez
m pect them to receive from using th
10 means and talents God has given thel
> for the benefit of his dear children
t, beyond all price. My dear Mrs. Wi
on liams, she went on, 'in word, 1 fe,
IN that we are stewards, and that the Ma,
!" :" ter will require an account of the wa
we use our time and our talents as we
., ., as our money. could give that, it
es true, towards supporting the gospel
e. that church; but what is needed mo-
at there. is not money. but the persons
40 influence. the actual presence Of SON
= situated just as you and are
,r. "When | arose to 60. she took m
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