Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-01-31

want TO think there was nothing pleasant
in his reflections, but there was nothing else
| for him TO do. He thought Of Mrs. Ames'
| words, which had come again and again
| like unwelcome visitors TO his ears "Will
| you let the light Of your earthly lamp go
out in darkness Oh, hope God will not
| appoint a discipline Of pain and trial to
| bring you to your senses, to make you see
what worthless thing your boarded gold is,
when you might comfort and bless 20 many"
Again and again he a0ked himself If he
was like what Mrs. Ames had said. Was
| he avaricious Was he hard-hearted
What was to become of his money! He
was worth half million Of dollars he
could not take it with him, but he must &C.
count to God for its use. Hoarded money
He began TO see it in the light Of a danger
Gus thing. 1t might stand in the way of his
eternal happiness.
I" Gold, gold, gold, gold,
Bright, yellow, hard and cold"
Was he a miser2 lie did not like the
word. There was pain his broken limb,
pain in his head and pain in his heart. He
hardly knew which caused him the most
suffering.
Morning came it was New Years day,
bright and sunny. Mr.. Stephens sent mes
senger to ask Mrs. An.es to come to him,
and to bring the list of names she had read
to him. She obeyed the summons imme-
diately, and soon sat by his bedside. Mrs.
Ames kindly inquired how Mr.. Stephens
was, and then waited for him to speak.
After moments pause, he said :" The
plain truths you told me in my office that
day, have proved blessing to me. For
one month have not been able to take
step, and have suffered intensely. Ny
thoughts have been busy, and daily your
words have returned to my mind. | have
thought it over and over, and now see
how mistaken have been. You said you
hoped God would not appoint discipline of
pain and trial for me, but you see he has 4;
and | am thankful for it, for without this
suffering and your plain speaking, should
never have realized how much good | could
do with my means. | made resolve last
night to do everything | can for the sick
and poor. Now that have suffered my.
self, / realize that others do. Will you
please read that list again, and let me help
you aid them ?"
Once more Mrs. Ames read from her pa
per the name Joe Brintnell.
Joe Brintnel p said Mr. Stephens.
I" Is he the one with the broken leg 2"
YES" said Mrs. Ames.
Poor fellow p continued Mr.. Stephens.
{" How hard it must have been for him
have had every comfort, and it was all
could endure, but he must have lacked
many things he needed. Here is some
money for him, which will give you to ex-
pend as you think best. You see how
changed | am. Six weeks ago | should
have considered my money thrown away
but now know you could not make bet
ter use of it,"
A look Of pleasure came over Mrs. Ames'
face as she took the money, and Mrs.
Stephens continued You said there was a
widow with six children who were in great
destitution. You know best what she needs,
and if you will give me list | will have
the things sent to her Immediately. wish
TO keep my resolve. Mrs. Ames, you have
spent your life in doing good; | have spent
mine in making money. How much richer
are you in the sight of God than I"
Mrs Ames put into his hand paper con.
tanning several names and the necessities of
each and took her leave
New Years day passed rapidly away.
What happy, useful day it was to Mr..
Stephens He sent money to individuals,
and donations to his church, the relief So
cieties, the society for the prevention of
cruelty to animals, orphan asylum, home
for the destitute, etc.
so completely upon others. Strange to say,
in caring for and blessing the unfortunate,
his own physical suffering was almost for
gotten. Several thousands of dollars were
sent forth on errands of mercy.
During the next week Mr.. Stephens re-
ceived many calls from the people whom he
had helped, and many expressions OF thanks
and gratitude fell from their lips. That
memorable New Years day was the birth
day of a new and brighter life. When he
recovered his health and returned to his
place of business, his counting.room wore
different aspect. 1t was no longer place
where he was to invent schemes to gain
money to hoard. The worth of money lay
in its use, and no man during the subse-
quent years of health and prosperity which
followed, knew better how to spend it wisely
and well than Noah Stephens. May he live
to enjoy many more happy New Years