Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1880-02-19

t"eutH incii lnen tnere are AT least
twenty more who smoke cheaper cigars who
might do the same thing at saving of seven
hundred more. No hard work you see
brethren, nobody's comforts taken so far.
Then am sure there are thirty families in
this church who could save one dollar a
week from their table expenses, and never
miss it. Why it's only matter of loaf of
cake and a couple of pies less, and palmer
sauce for pudding. or even no dessert at
all for couple of days. There are plenty
of families that could cut off FIVE times as
much. and be all the better for it but I'll
only ask for dollar week, and there YOU
have fifteen hundred more from Just those
thirty families. Now it does pear to me,
brethren, it wouldn't be so hard on the
women as wearing out their souls and bodies
making fol-de-rols, and irving to sell 'em to
folks that don't want 'em.
Then there are fifty people who could save
hive dollars every year from their own and
from their childrer's garments, Just By put
ting in little less cloth or a little less trim
ming or saving a few cents yard on the
goods, and nobody on earth be the wiser
unless they happened to think that their
children look less like French dolls, and
more as If they be related TO the little ones
the Lord Jeasus took in his arms. WHY
brethren. hope it ism, sacrilcgious. but I've
sometimes though, the Lord wouldn', have
dared to touch one of these little creatures
they call children now-a-day, with their
jewels and fiounces and furbelows
But was talking about saving, brcth-
ren here YOU have $500 more and YOU
haven't begun to touch this matter of dress.
Add TO this twenty people who spend on
amusemcnts and entertainments for them
selves and families an average of dollar a
month, that they could proitahly dispense
with, and YOU have total of over $1,000 a
year that this church might apply toward
the payment of its debt without laving the
smallest burden upon any of its members.
but by slmpl, cleaning little from its lux
ures and indulgence. | tell We, brethren.
I'm just amazed when think about it.
There it is figured out and nobody can say
it isn't moderate showing of the case. but
you'll all 20 away shaking YOUR heads over
the debt, and If YOU remember ANYTHING I've
said it'll he the $3.50 the women folks might
save on their dress. and not the % 900 for
cigars and high dinners. Human nature,
brethren. is preyerse and prcpleNin.'
The old man paused to wipe his forehead
and the FIVE committees looked at each other.
At i worth irving said the chairman. land
we might appoint committee"
Lets have no more committees" said
Father Steadfast. they'll be like that mix
ed multitude that went up Ia fight the Is
raclite.. and turned every man his sword
against his fellow until they made an end of
each other If the pastor will present this
matter to the church on SUNDAY. I'll under
take TO put mite-box in every house hold,
and then let the people give day by day
with thank -gi,ing in their hearts IA, the Jews
Of old did"
The brethren wa,cred little. but finally
decided to commend the plan for trial. and
Father Stcadfast instantly pledged five OF
the official board to give up one cigar per
day
On the following Sabbath the pastor pre-
'entcd the subject in such a plain, forcible
manner, that every one present was con,iuc-
ed Of il, reasunahlencss. and Father Stead
fast followed up the work by lay sermon
N every family where he established his
mitc-box When people rcall, turned their
attention to ii they found multitude of
things that were not in any way essential 10
their comfort, and day by day the enthu-
siasn TO increase the fund grew stronger.
We have no dessert or cake except on
Sundays" said Mrs. Smart land We do not
miss il. lay aside dollar week on ac-
count Of it. but | am sure il saves US much
more. Then. since nv husband has become
accustomed TO one cigar less day he finds
he can spare two about as well. and We de
vote the cost Of the second one TO books.
JUS; think of a new book every week or two,
and We never felt able to buy one before"
Il made nv baby's dresses with plain hem
and tucks, said Mrs. Dimple, land he real
~ looks sweeter than ever. got two
dresses for the price of one, and so felt
that could oiford TO hire them made, and
that gave my poor neighbor a lift. had
set my heart on a couple Of lovely sashes for
him. but, dear me wha, is the use ? Sashes
are only bother 10 baby. so put that
FIVE dollars INTO the box with clear con-
science"
The First Church of Acadia is out of debt,
and has adopted the savings plan as the best
and easiest method for meeting its regular
benevolences The women are radiant with
satisfaction, the brethren congratulate
themselves that We did il, and Father Stead !
fast rises above all clouds of care on the
wings of his rejoicing soul.