The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1882-06-22
a Christian Vow.
The Pretty Story of Faithful woman's Conse-
Grafton.

Grafton
AT the close of the eighteenth century
farmers daughter left her home in
Yorkshire, Eng, to go as servant in
farmhouse, says the New York P-esby-
tertan. She had to fill the place at once
Of kitchan-maid, house-maid, milk maid
and cook. She MIXED six COWS morn
ing and evening, besides all these, and
when she found leisure beyond these
services, she occupied herself in spinning
wool. But with all that was lowly and
unpromising in this young woman s life
she had genuine piety. She had been
brought up with the Bible as her guide,
and with the pure and noble ideas
which belong to Christian education.
In the course of time she was engaged
to marry young weaver of Halifax,
whose name was John Crossley. They
married at length, and settled down to
life of honest industry. Crossley was
frugal and thrifty. He got on well, laid
by his earnings, and at length was able
to rent a wool mill and dwelling-house.
When the couple were about entering
their new quarters holy purpose of
consecration took possession of his
young wife. On the day of entering the
house she rose at o'clock in the morn
ing and went into the dooryard. There,
in the early twilight, before entering the
house, she knelt on the ground and gave
her life anew to God. She vowed most
solemnly in these words: eff the Lord
does bless me at this place, the poor
shall have share of it."
That grand act of conservation was
the germ of life of marvellous nobility.
1t was the law of this home for many
years. while sons were born and grew
up under its ennobling influence. John
Crossiey died leaving a comfortable
property and a good name. The widow
lived on to old age. and would never
consent to remove from her first home
to better one. The sons carried
on their fathers business, educated and
controlled by the spirit of the mothers
early VOW. One of the youngest sons
became Baronet and member of Par
lament for West Riding. In mature
life he said: ''It is to this VOW, made
and kept with so much fidelity, that I
attribute the great success of my father
in business. My mother was ALWAYS
looking how she could best keep her
VOW
The Crossleys grew rich and great.
The sons of the kitchen-maid became
owners of mills which covered acres of
ground. These structures rose, story
above story, in solid masses. The work
people were increased to the number of
1000 and 5000. The good old mother
became alarmed, and said that such
large operations were dangerous, and
that a crash would come. The sons an
swered: mo; we are well insured.
Honor the Lord with thy substance, and
with the first fruits of all thine increase;
so shall thy barns be filled with plenty
This is our policy of insurance.
In 1858 one of these sons was in
America. On seeing a fine landscape
at sunset the glory of the scene entered
shall render unto the Lordr The an
swer to this question was the purchase
of land for a peoples p ark, after his re-
turn home, at a cost of $4,000 The
park was given to the town of Halifax.
At length two spacious almshouses were
built and. endowed by two of these
brothers. Then came row of work
mems dwelling houses, then an orphan
age, and besides these any number of
less conspicuous charities.