Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-02-04
An Open Letter.

LEAVE SOMETHING TO WORK FOR OF AFTER ARR oosE
Ny Aged Friend You expect soon to
finish your work on earth and pass up to
your reward. You love the church to which
you belong. Its means Of grace have, with
the Divine blessing, given you the sweet
hope of eternal life, which is dearer 10 you
than all things else. OF course you place a
high estimate upon them, and you want
them to be enjoyed evermore by those who
survive you. You are aware that Vermont
is losing many of its good people. Some are
falling asleep in Jesus; others emigrate TO
other states. These causes operate more
and more TO diminish the strength and dis
courage the zeal of those who remain.
Now, beloved sister, or brother, you want
the church to live. You do not want it
buried with yourself. You want the light
to shine upon those who guard your grave.
You wish to work for them, even after your
own worn and weary hands are folded away
in the darkness. Would it not be blessed
thing for you to do, to leave some of your
property to work for you, after you are gomez
1t would be bad policy for you to give 50
much to the church as to make it lazy, and
fail to do its duty, but there is little danger
in this direction. Not many will heed my
suggestion. Some have children to whom
they prefer to leave all they have. Others
are too narrow-minded to care for Others
and are perfectly willing to have the foun-
tain Of usefulness dry up, when they are
gone. You are different. You would die
very happy to be represented along the cur
rent of ages by your sweet bounty, and to
know that what you have left behind you is
still doing good, working as you would,
blessing Christians and saving souls. 1t is
almost certain as time flies, that the church
you love will become weakened by the de-
parture of felow-workers. You know that
the few have always had to bear the heavy
burden, and these few will probably be fewer
aud weaker. Now suppose you make the
church you love one of your heirs. Sup
pose you encourage those who survive you,
by continual help. If you have any doubt
as to the best disposition of what you desire
to bequeath. talk with your fellow believers
in whose wisdom you have confidence. Some
of the good brothers and sisters who have
gone have done what propose, and there
is very fragrant memory left of their gen.
erous beneficence. They can never be for
gotten, for their loving hearts are all the
while blossoming and bearing fruit, to the
comfort of those who are struggling to keep
the altar fires burning. These precious ones
never die, and If they are allowed to con-
template from the crystal battlements of
heaven what is going on here, they must
have continual Joy to know that being dead
(as the world talks) they yet live, and though
at rest they still work. How much better
than to see your property wasted in foolish
adventures, or be wasted in the hands of
mere worldlings, who care nothing for the
Kingdom of God Please, dear believers,
bestow serious thought upon my humble sug-
gestion. 1t may be that the Divine Spirit
moves me to address you. One thing is sure,
that have no personal end 70 seek through
you. speak, think, for the sake and in
the name of our Blessed Master.
Affectionately, Your BROTHER.
N. B.-Do not delay too long to do what
your heart and hands find to do.