Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-12-12
Sl1onlh'a Column.
HUMBLE HELP.

Examples like the following show that
the poor can serve the rich in other ways
than by bodily ]abor-as a simple miller
taught King Henry, and humble tink-
Ell taught King James.
A Christian merchant Of Philadelphia
who had recently suffered heavy losses,
was hurrying to his business one morn
ing through binding snow-storm,
with face and heart as gloomy as the
weather, when he heard a peculiar,
husky voice near him.
matches, sir, fine matches; two
boxes for ftp"
The idea of being asked by peddler
to stop and trade in the midst of
storm would have annoyed the mer-
chant exceedingly, his mind burdened
as it was with troubles of his own, but
the singular voice made him turn his
head to look at the speaker-and the
sight touched him.
There stood venerable old negro,
with hair as white as the snow that fell
around him, bracing himself against the
wind.
The merchant felt in his pockets for
the "fp," and as he did so, he said,
kindly
"Isn't the cold too much for you
uncle"
"No. SIR" replied the old negro.
"I'm we'll used to it. I've sold matches
on the street for seventeen years.
The merchant bought the matches,
and as he turned to 60, said, at is
hard work and small gains isn't it? l
hope you have something beyond this
toilsome world to cheer you, uncle"
The old negro smiled. Yes, sir"
said he, in the same hoarse voice, 81
have Saviour in the Promised Land.
Only few days more and I shall see
Him."
That simple reply drove all the mer-
chants clouds away. He went on with
lighter heart. He had meant to give
little Christian aid and counsel to one
more needy than himself. But he got
more than he gave.
We read in the Bible of poor widow
who fed prophet-and how wonder
fully her little batch of meal held out
There is something in the following
story that curiously reminds US of it.
Early in the last year of the Civil
War, while the Southern "Army o.
Tennessee" was on its way to the Car
olinas, the people living along the route
found themselves seriously taxed some
times to supply the soldiers wants.
In one place, DR.. McFerrin, Arm.
Missionary and Chaplain at large, stop
t ped at the parsonage of Methods
minister, to stay over Sunday.
e The minister welcomed his guest
+ considering it providential that he hat
> but one-and so good a one-when tn
5. town was full of officers and soldiers
but the poor man had so little to eat i
7. the house that he really did not kno'
$ how he should manage. He could fee
the Doctors horse, but how should b
! feed the Doctor?
ID He and his wife held a private col
sultation. They had no -four. and the
h did not know where they could get an
N for those were days of distressin
:, scarcity. Finally the good minist'
5. went out to see what could be don
d. doubtless praying that he might be gui,
r. ed to some friend who would help hi
- out of his difficulty.
>. On his way he met ap old colort
al preacher, a man considerably poor
ed than himself.
y. "Uncle july" said he, DR.. McFerri
hc of Nashville, has come to stay with +
ut over Sunday, and l haven't dust
Us. -four. Can you tell me where can G
some 2"
The old man thought minute.
"You wait here Bit said he, sal
I'll run home and see how it is"
100 In few minutes "Uncle July" cal
ell back with three pounds and three-qu
' ap ers of -four, carefully done up in PAL
md and tied with cotton string.
We had just seven pound and hal
3D. said the old man. I'll divide equal,
and The minister took the -four W
S ,o,a many thanks and carried it home, a
the his wife made biscuits from part Of
So So of which the Doctor ate heartily.
and 1t was biscuits that night, biscuits
the morning, biscuits at noon and Mi
. tops and IN the morning again and
worthy Doctor ate, not seeming to
ility tice that his friends did not act at
'eSa, hungry for biscuits. The -four las
nicely. DR.. McFerrin paid for his
Tom- with two good sermons and his g
len,' company-and his blessing when
yes
ctric went away.
iiity. And the grateful minister handed
for for blessing over to his humble friend Vi
I lluss July.
Co., -s->-.--
BAD THoUGHTs.-Bad thoughts
o Daa.s cherished, blight virtue, destroy pun