davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-08
MONTPELIER, VT, WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1873

and be lost, but is firm way on which we
tread confidently, There are no unguarded
periods in which death may smite us while
the strong arm of the Lord is not about us.
We are always in his keeping. We need to
have this deeply impressed upon our minds
that If we have received the Lord Jesus
power has been given us TO become the sons
OF God and we are saved. IL belongs TO
God, then, to determine the manner as well
as the time of our removal to his presence.
Look at death in the light of these words :
The Father has made as meet TO be par
takers of the inheritance of the saints in
light, who hath delivered us from the power
OF darkness and hath translated us into the
kingdom of his dear Son." If he chooses to
give us the full possession of the inheritance
in moment, how can it work harm If he,
without announcement to us, translates us
into his presence, how can it endanger our
salvation If he is pleased to spare us the
pains of approaching death, and all the at
tending sorrow of sundering ties, is il not
love? Should we live in dread of the sud
den opening of heaven to us ? To be ready
for death, then, is TO be possessed of the new
life in Christ. And this we need for living
as well as for dying. For it gives us peace
in the assurance of Gods favor. 1t gives us
confidence by assuring us of Almighty pro-
lection, and of the certainty that death, at
whatever time it may come, will he removal
to dwell with Christ United PresJyieri'a.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-08

to me | can gain no consolation from it.
If, then, the custom is useless, il is still
more Objectionable on account of'the incon.
venience and expense. II is inconvenient.
because it throws the care of purchasing and
making clothes upon a family at the very
moment when, on every account, it most
needs seclusion and quetness when, worn
out with care, and watching, aud sorrow, it
needs retirement and relief. That the ex-
pense presses heavily upon the poor, is
matter very well known, and, believe, gen
orally regretted. II, then, there is custom
in the community which is of no real ben
eft, and is a real burden, it would seem
clear inference that it ought to be dis
couraged. If there be any who fear that
they shall be too soon forgotten among men
when they are gone, let them be reminded
that it depends upon themselves, not upon
the habiliments of their friends upon their
character not upon their obsequies, whether
they shall be remembered. "The memorial
of virtue" saith the wisdom of Solomon ais
immortal" When it is present, men take
example of it; and when it is gone they de.
serve it, it weareth a crown and triumph
forever,
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-08
Sinful Conformity.

In our intercourse with the world, TO avoid
giving offence, we are tempted to comply
with established usages and conventional
forms of expression, though we may not ap
prove them, and though they do not express
our real opinions. This is called an inno-
cent conformity to the ways of the world in
matters Indifferent But let us beware of
the effect of it on our characters. Such
compiances are small sins, the aggregate
effect of which is very considerable. The
habit of speaking and acting without cor
respondent conviction is of the very nature
of sin. 1t makes life hollow and insincere !;
itperverts the understanding it impairs the
sense of right and truth; it withers up the
affections, and makes the intercourse of
men not exhilarating reciprocation of free
and genuine thought, but mere exchange
OF artificial signs, calculated for given
effect, aud aiiording no indication of the
real sentiments of those by whom they are
put in motion. 1t is incalculable how much
the little conventional dishonesties of our
habitual intercourse corrupt the source of
pure and noble feeling in the heart, and de-
stroy that ingenious simplicity of charac-
ter without which true virtue is impossible.
The surest sign of a commencing reforma-
tion of society will be return to simpler
palmer speaking, and more un-
reserved expression of individual opinion
j. j. Taylor.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-08
Measure for Measure.

Not long ago he of the pack CHANGED upon
his Journey to stop at the house of a well-to-
do farmer. "Would the madam wish to
look at my goods ?" inquired the peddler,
as the woman of the house answered his re.
spectful summons at the door "Well, yes,
| don't mind if | do. Have you got any
linen table cloths ?" Yes, he had and
without more ado he unfastened his burden
and spread the stock before her gaze The
woman examined the table cloths very
closely, asking the price OF them, and alto
gether she managed to detain the man about
an hour. Finally she said " bought some
in lthaky yesterday, and only wanted to
see if them dry goods men cheated me-"
With commendable good-nature, the disap-
pointed fellow re-packed his goods and went
his way, A month or so passed, and once
more he knocks at the same farmers door,
this time not to sell, but to buy, "Can you get
me up frst-class dinner2" he asked. Some.
thing good I've got money and want to
see your best" The woman of the house
hustled at lively rate, the vision of good
fee for the meal lending alacrity to her
movements, and presently she returned to
the room where the peddler was waiting
and announced that dinner was ready. He
walked out to the dinning-room, put ON a
pair of goggles, and critically inspected the
viands After probing the steak, and turn
ing the eggs, and smiling the coffee, he
turned to the astonished female and re-
marked 81 don't want anything | just
paid for my dinner at the house below, ana
thought I'd find out whether they cheated
me" And grabbing up his bundle he man
aged to dodge out of the door before the
irate woman could reach him.-Seiected'
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-08
A Problem.

A young man distinguished for mathe.
matical attainments was fond of challeng.
ing his fellow-students to a trial of skill in
solving difficult problems. One day class
mate came into his study, and laying a
folded paper before him said There is a
problem | wish you would help me solve, -
and Immediately left the room. The paper
was eagerly unfolded, and there, instead of
question in mathematics, were traced the
lines, "What shall it profit man if he
gain the whole world and lose his own soul !;
or what shall man give in exchange for
his soul 2" With gesture of impatience
he tore the paper to atoms, and turned again
to his books. But in vain he tried to shake
off the impressions of the solemn words he had
read. The Holy Spirit pressed home his con-
viction of guilt and danger, so that he could
find no peace, till he found it in believing
in Jesus. He subsequently became min
lister of the gospel he had once despised,
and his first sermon was from the words, so
eninently blessed to his soul, What shall
ii profit man if he gain the whole world and
lose his own soul ?"-Americnp Messenger.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-08
The Society of Women.

1t is better, wrote Thackeray, for you to
pass an evening once or twice a week in a
lady's drawing-room, even though the con-
versation is slow, and you know the girls
song by heart, than in club or tavern, or a
pit of "A theatre All amusements of youth
to which virtuous women are not admitted,
rely on it, are deleterious in their nature.
All men who avoid female society have dull
perceptions, and are stupid, or have gross
tastes, and revolt against what is pure. Your
club swaggerers, who are sucking the butt
of billiard cues all night call female society
insipid. Poetry is uninspiring to Jockey
beauty has no charms for blind man music
does not please poor beast who does not
know one tune from another; but as pure
epicure is scarcely tired of water-sauces and
brown bread and butter, | protest can sit
for whole night talking with regulated
kindly woman about her girl Fanny or her
boy Frank, and like the evenings entertain
ment. One OF the great benefits a man may
derive from womans society, is that he is
bound to be respectful to her. The habit is
of great good to your moral men, depend
upon it. Our education makes us the most
eninently selfish men in the world.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-08
The Bible---What Is 1t?

The Bible solves the question of man 5
origin. God made man in his own sfage
They who delight to trace their lineage
from their gorilla and ape, and through
preceding ancestral line TO tadpole, and
through the tadpole to monad, and through
the monad to dead matter made protoplastic
they know not how, reject the patent of
nobility which the Bible proffers to them as
the divine handiwork-t moral image of
God-and claim no inheritance after the
present life but to minge with the dust
from which they sprang. The Bible sets
the seal of falsehood on all such theories of
man. Man is creation of God, who breathed
into his nostrils the breath of life, and he
became a living soul. But more and better
than its history, poetry, law and philosophy
far better than all that may be called the in
tellectual excellence of the Bible-there
stands the crowning glory of the book to
Christian minds and hearts-the revelation
of the grace of God through Jesus Christ.
The voice of the heavenly host, heard on
Judea's hills, proclaiming "peace on earth,
good will toward men," has sounded ever
since from the pages of that book, and will
sound evermore. Faith alone, steadfast
faith in Christ, enables the soul to triumph
over death and the grave, while it looks for
C a city that hath foundations, whose builder
and maker is God."-W II. AHen, LII. d.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-08
"Keep Yourself Out of Sight"

A gentleman who happened to be spend
ing his holidays in Scotland thought that he
would like to try his hand at fishing for
trout in a neighboring stream. He accord
ingly equipped himself with his fishing
tackle and other appliances of the best de
scription that money could purchase. He
went to the stream and toiled all day, and
caught nothing. Towards afternoon he es-
pied "A little ragged urchin, with tackle OF
the most primitive order, nipping the fish
out of the water with marvellous rapidity
Perfectly amazed, he watched the lad for a
while, and then went and asked him if he
could explain the reason why he was so sue
cesslul, in spite of his meagre outfit, while
the expensive apparatus could catch nothing
The boy promptly replied, "The fsh'll no
catch, sir, as lang as ye dinna keep yersel
DOT of sicht." Fishers of men need not
wonder at their want of success if they dc
not keep themselves out of sight,
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-08
The Hour Before You Go to Church.

have in my eye at present tie hour before
you 90 to church on the Sabbath forenoon.
| am anxious about it. The note struck
then is likely to give tone to your spirits all
the day. Redeem it. Redeem it as much
as you can from family duties. Redeem it
wholly from "plaiting of hair and putting
on of apparel" Redeem it wholly from
vain conversation. How very much the
power of the minister's preaching depends
on the preparing of the hearers heart If
you come up to the church with your mind
crowded with tritles and puffed up with van
ity-what can ministers do They can do
nothing but beat the air. What else can
they do if there be nothing before them but
air to beat at 1t will make a sound and
that is all. | fear that many of my dear
people spend more time on the Sabbath
morning in putting wells on their faces than
in taking the veil off their hearts-more
time in trying to make themselves appear
before men what they are not, than in try
ing to make themselves appear before God
what they are.-ReU. W. Arnot
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-08
Ghe Uome GnrIe.


I lost the brook a. II wound Ia way
Like thread Of silver hue;
Through greenwood and valley through meadows gay
Twas hidden away from view;
But found II again q noble river
Sparkling and broad and free,
Wilder and farer growing ever,
Till 1t reached the boundless sea-
lost the tiny seed that sowed
with many sigh and tear
And vainy waited through sunshine and cold
For the young green to appear;
But surely after many long days
The blossom and fruit viii come,
And the reapers on high the sheaves will raise
For q Joyful harvest home.
lost the life that grew by my own
fot one short summer day;
And then it left me to wander alone
And silently passed awayl
But know shall dnd II further on.
Though not as IL left me here;
For the shadows and msts will have passed and gone.
shall see 1t fair and clear
lost the notes of the heavenly chime
That once came floating by;
have listened and waited many time
For the echo, though dstantly;
But know in the halls of glory II thrills,
Ever by day and night;
shall hear 1t complete when lis harmony llls
My soul with great delight.
| lost the love that made my life.
A love that was all for me;
Oh vanly sought it amid the strife
OF the stormy, raging sea-
But deeper and pnrer know It waits
Beyond my wistful eyes
| shall find 1t again within the gates
OF the garden Of paradise.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-08
A Redeemed Sinner,

had rather, as forgiven child with all
the prospects of the future opened up unto
me, wear the crown purchased by the re-
deeming love of Christ, than that which is
worn by the unfallen angels, because the
blessing of Divine atonement, through a
Divine incarnation secured to the soul in
harmony with the conditions of the gospel,
reveals the character of God in way i'm
possible to be made known to those who
had complied with all that the law demands
and this places the sinner, penitent and for
given, upon a platform of experience and
personal relationship to God, of nature so
peculiar and so extraordinary as to throw
all other stars, glittering never so brightly in
the heavenly firmament into comparative
obscurity, contrasted with the exceptional
brilliancy of that state which involves the
strange anomaly of justice and mercy to.
gether, the law sustained and the sinner
sayed,-Rev. Phillips Brooks.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-08

IT'S OBJEcT.-The object of preaching is
not to see how much truth may be packed
into few formulas, but, rather how much
truth may be lodged in the hearts and con-
sciences of men. The value of business is
not determined by the extent of the profits.
The ten commandments fired out of the
best Hebrew Bible ever printed, over the
heads of band of Sioux warriors, would
not be worth anything compared with one of
the likes of the Great Preacher dropped into
an open heart. Preaching is only means.
Sermons are never ends. The preacher has
an opportunity TO deliver his message 1t is
not important that it should do anything ex-
cept furnish the conviction he is sent to pro-
duce. From this standpoint the question
of ministerial duty reduces to one of
efficiency. +" How best can | do my er-
randi" is asked on ones knees and before
ones tom mbstone.-Christidn Advoeate.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-08
Prayer the Secret of Power.

We must prove ourselves true sons of the
closet mighty in supplication, as well as
mighty in the Scriptures, if we would be
successful winners of souls. No man can be
a holy man who is not man of prayer
hence prayerless ministry will be power
less one. q ought" says NJ Cheyne, " to
spend the best hours of the day in com
munion with God it is my noblest and most
fruitful employment, and ought not to be
thrust into corner" | am persuaded of
this, dear brethren, if we thrust prayer into
a corner, God will soon thrust our usefulness
into corner. The most useful men have
been pre-eminently men of prayer Baxter
is said TO have stained his study walls with
the breath of prayer, and John Welsh would
spend sometimes seven or eight hours a day
in the closet, and used to keep plaid upon
his bed that he might rise at night. Some
times his wife found him on the ground
weeping, and on asking the cause, he would
reply: " | have three thousand souls to take
care Of, and how do | know how many of
them are prospering? 2" John Livingstone
says 81 found that much studying did not
so much help me in preaching as the getting
my heart brought to spiritual disposition.
There is sometimes somewhat in preaching
that can not be ascribed either to the matter
OF expression, anu can llOI DE described what
it is, or from whence it cometh-but with a
sweet violence it pierceth into the heart and
affections, and comes Immediately from the
Lord but if there be any way to attain to
any such thing, it is by a heavenly DISPOSE
tion of the speaker. | never preached ane
sermon which | would be earnest to see
again in wryte, but two; the one was on ane
Monday after the communion, at Shots, and
the other on ane Monday after the COM
munion, at Hollywood and both these times
| had spent the whole night before in con
ference aud prayer with some Christians,
without any more than ordinary prepara-
tion." To the one sermon at the kirk of
Shots, no fewer than five hundred persons
are said to have attributed, under God, their
conversion, You have heard of the poor
stonebreaker's reply to the minister who OBJ
served him breaking stone with hammer,
and kneeling, the better to get at his work
The minister said "Ah John, | wish
could break the stony heart OF my hearers
as easily as you are breaking those stones.
Perhaps, MASTER" answered the man, "you
don't work on your knees !" o brethren, il
our ministry is 10 be a heart breaking minis
try we must work more upon our knees, We
must pray more. Remember, there is still
"a kind that goeth not forth but by praye
and fasting. - Gospel Soper,
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-08
sMoraI and Religinns.


pilgrim am I, on my way
To seek and find the Holy Land.
Scarce had started. when there lay
And marched round me a fourfod band
smiling Joy, weeping Woe,
Hope, n Fear. did with me goi
And one may come, or one be gone;
But am ncvermore alone.
My little Hope. shepines and droops,
And finds II hard to live on earth
But then some ritying angel sioops
To lit her out Of frost and dearth'
And bears her on before, and mp,
To taste, out Of our Sayour's cup,
Such cheer as here she cannot nnd,
While patiently plod behind.
Thus oft | send her from below
Poorilttle IIope-for change Of air.
miss her sorelyi but ! know
That God Of her is taking care.
And when my earthly course Is done,
TO heavens gate ri see her run
To meet me mid the shining bands,
with full frnition in her hands.
My Fear give to Faith to still
with luablcs upon her breast
She sings to him, Our Fathers will,
Not ours, be DONE for his is best"
And lays him down to sleep, in bowers
Beneath the Cross-of passion-nowers.
But ever yet lie wakes in pain.
And finds his way to me again.
But Wue-she scarce will loose her hold.
She sits and walks and runs with me,
Aud watches. Ere the sun with gold
Pays TO the East his entrance fee
She stirs, and stares me In the face,
And drives me from each stopping place.
A guardian angel in disguise
Seems looking through her fearful eyes.
Perhaps She hath charge from God
To see that ne'er, through SatanS camp,
slumber on my dangerous way
Too sound or long safety-amp,
Meantime, by 10y Is carried nigh,
Somewhat aloofi for he is shy,
Too shy within my grasp to stay,
Though seldom is lie far away.
Thus fcllow-plgrims, fare we ON
But In what mortals call my death,
My Fear is doome, to die anon;
When Woe shall leave me safe-so saith
My swect-yoiced Hupe-and turn TO bring
Some other soul; while JOY shall spring
with me through heavens strait door, to he
Forever OF my company. -Churchmdn
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-08

For tho Vermont waichrnan
TEACHERS EXAMINATION.

ny y. p.
An old and dingy, battered room,
with curtains drawn q Increase the gloom
And shut the sunlight out;
A trembling group Of sober girls,
with braided locks and dancing curls,
A grave task set about.
The room, a school-room grim aud bare,
Whose only boast was a cleanly air,
Where the girls looked out Of place;
The girls were each OF aspiring mind,
And sought paper rightly signed
For learning, not for grace.
Were 1t for beauty they would win,
And needed not the task begin,
Ifut that was not the plan;
And he who occupied the chair
Possessed the cool Indifferent air
Which proves the married man.
SO in the chill and barren room
Their merry faces took the gloom
As thoughts on paper fell;
So digniled they all appeared
No superintendent need have feared
They would not govern well.
Methought each gentle, girlish face
OF earnest thought and quiet grace,
Themselves should recommends;
For truth and beauty, love and cheer,
In teachers work I'd have appear,
And with book -lcanlng blend.
I'D rather have little one
BE by sunny teacher won
And taught to love the true,
Than In the place Of woman's grace
See every day n fretful face.
Though all the world she knew.
Dear girls, You have a work to do
In being gentle, pure and true,
Your other work above;
Andnobler lessons should be taught
Than by the books alone are wrought,
OF patience, faith and love.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-08
Gods Design.

One design of God in the gospel is to
bring us to make him the object OF our un-
divided respect, ct,-that he may engross our
regard every way. There is an inclination
in the creature not only to the alteration of
a lord and sovereign, but to complacence in
some one as a friend-some one that may be
freely conversed with. Nor does virtue or
holiness destroy or weaken this inclination
of our nature; but so hath God contrived in
the affair of our redemption, that divine
person may be the object even OF this inclin-
alton of our nature. And in order hereto,
such an one has come down to u.s. has taken
our nature, and become one of us, and now
calls himself our friend brother, our com
panion; For my brethren and compan-
ions sake will | now say, peace be within
thee" Is not this all we can want 2-Jona
than EdtCdrds.