The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 18??-1882, 1882-01-20

paid, or nOtp"
That's just what I'd like to know
J tOo." added Mr.. Merritt. 81 was going
to ask that very question myself"
81 spOse you knew your question is
, out of order, Deacon Sargent" said the
| DIR. dictatOrially. We are here, as
said before, to get up surprise for the
elder, and not to haul the trustees over
the GOALS"
"Well, then, if surprise is what
! surprise you could get up, would be to
pay him what we owe him." said the
deacon, dryly. "But don't want you
; to misunderstood me. l hav'n't any
objections to your giving him a sur
prise, no, not in the least. Pay up
Brother Doozenbury first. and I'll 60
heart and hand with you in making
him nice donation. But, brethren
;; and sisters, L think as a church, we
have positive duty in this matter. If
he hasn't been paid, we ought to pay
him the first thing we do. wish this
might be attended to, before anything
Ielse is attempted. We must be just
before we are generous. There is no
4 justice in keeping him waiting for his
pay so long. The Lord will not prosper
us as $peOple, if we do not keep our
pledges. Il cannot bear to see this dear
church that / love so well, break it's
solemn vows. / must raise my warn
ing voice against such course. Let
us take heed to our ways, lest God with
draw his face, and leave us to our own
destruction.
Now before l sit down, brethren and
friends, want to move that we pro-
ceed at once to liquidate our indebted
ness to our pastor, either by circulat-
ing subscription paper, or by volun-
tary envelope offerings. / don't care
which, just so the thing is DONE"
His voice grew tremulous with emo
tion, and tears bedimmed his eyes, as
he sat down. The people shuffled about
uneasily in their seats, and exchanged
significant glances.
al second the moUion," said Mr.. Mer-
ritt, unhesitatingly.
DIR. DisbrOw shrugged his Shoulders
Ominously, and elevating his eyebrows,
replied, "Tbat's all very we'll to talk
about Deacon Sargent, but you'll find
it quite another thing to do. But l
object as chairman, though, to any such
notions coming before the house. If
it is pressed, L shall resign, in short
metre, that's allp And he slammed the
Bible irreverently on the table, and
picked up his hat excitedly, as if in
tending an immediate exit.
Another exchange of significant
glances followed this threat, and the
silence was broken by the deacon's
voice, saying mildly.
81 withdraw my motion, brethren,
but do it for the sake of peace and
harmony. My opinion as TO our duty
remains unchanged"
II motion we have Pound Social"
said Holiday Jones.
Second the notion" responded a
Rasal voice behind him.
DR.. Disbrow drummed nervously on
the table, and laughed half exultant
half conciliatOry laugh, saying, "Any
remark on the motion? I'd like to see
this thing move right along now.
think Pound Social's the thing the
very thingp
Question! question: said several
voices. "All who are in favor of a
Pound Social, show the hand" said the
doctor.
"That will do, opposed by the same
sign. 1t is garfield" said he, rubbing
his hands together, with evident salts
faction. "You didn't all vote, though,
but it's too late to object now"
"When's your Pound social going 10
be ?" asked Mr.. Dawson.
swell, declared | don't know as ]
can tell myself" said The DR.. "SisteI
Crandall, when is this thing going to
come Off"
"Why, we didn't say for certain, but
Wednesday night is the time we talk
ed about, all along
"Don't you know, said l couldn't
go, if you had it Wednesday nightp'
That's lodge night" whispered Mrs
Dawson, "Only he won't say So"
"Of course he won't. But he isn't
the only one that goes to the lodge
Shivers goes, and Holiday Jones goes,
and so does Deacon Storms!" retorted
her listener. 20 it's too bad. isn't 1t ?"
"How would Friday night do, theln,"
asked Mrs. Crandall, "that's good
time"
"All right. Fridayll suit me well
enough. Likely as not / sha'n't be
there though, any way"
mo committees have been appoint
ed" suggested Mrs. Wright.
1--WE don't need any," decided Mrs.
Crandall. "We can all be committee"
And the DR.. struck a match and
lighted the cigar, and the little COM
pany passed out of the house, and went
their separate ways; some chuckling
over success in carrying their point;
others, lamenting the prevailing dis
regard of justice, and of good taste.
Those who disfavOred the decision, held
a consultation, as to their duty in the
matter. They feared cooperation
would be construed by the favorers of
the social, and by the pastor, and by
outsiders, to mean the yielding up of
principle, Of justice, of good taste, and
of loyalty to the pastor, and would,
Furthermore. give show of success to
an enterprise which would otherwise
lprove-a failure.
On the other hand, refusal to partic-
ipate, might be regarded as decided in
difference to a pastor, dearly loved and
esteemed; or, possibly, as overt opposi-
tion to majority rule. They were in
quite dilemma What should they
do2 Sacrifice all conscientious scruples.
and take hold and help make the So
cial success; or withhold co-opera-
ton, and let it become the failure it
inevitably wouldp
The decision was soon reached.
Grace gained the victory, as grace often
does in loyal hearts. Differences of
opinion were to be blended into harmo-
nious effort to make the social surprise
L A. 4. ,.I 81 nn