davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-05-02
" Nothing TO Live For"

That person is in pitiable condition in
deed who is led to give utterance to the ex.
preston at the head of this article. And
yet such there are. They meet with adver-
stiles aud disappointments. Their health
has failed them. Their gains have been
swept away. They have been bereaved of
friends, near and dear. They become de-
jeoted and downcast. Their future is be-
clouded. They are disheartened and dis
coursged, and they despondingly say they
have nothing to live for" But this is a
mistake, and sad mistake. Every person,
so long as he is in this world, and in the
exercise Of his reason, has something to
live for. There is, in the first place, his
own spiritual ellbeing. II he is as yet in
a state of impenitency. and so unreconciled
to God and unprepared to die, as was told
me of himself by an aged man few days
ago, then he has much to live for as re-
CARDS himself. He has more than all the
world TO live for, and he cannot too soon set
himself about living for it, Or, If he has
already become a Christian, then he has
something to live for in seeking for higher
attainments in piety for he has not yet at
tanned, and is not already perfect. Aud
then there is the good of others to live for.
We dwell in poor and needy world. We
are surrounded by poor and needy beings,
and we need not 60 far to find them. They
are members Of our own household, and
dwell in our own neighborhood, and we
may, If We will, do them good by our pray
ers, by our kind words and deeds. And
then, there is the great wide world in which
we dwell, peopled by millions of human be-
ings like ourselves, millions of whom are
poor and needy. And to these we may lend
helping hand, and do good in many ways.
Aud then, there is the kingdom OF Christ,
the promotion of which should be the SUI
preme aim and endeavor of cur lives 1t is
the nobest object for which we can live.
No angel, the highest Of the angels, Gabriel,
even, would not regard it as beneath him
to Spend all his energies for its advance
ment. To do anything. the least thing,
even, for so grand an object, should be re-
garded as a noble science and high honor.
Nothing TO live for There is everything
to live for. Were you endowed with an
gelio powers, and were your life prolonged
to the age Of Methuselah, while the world
is as 1t now is, and the kingdom of Christ
what it now is, there would be more to live
for than you, aud thousands like you, could
accomplish Christian al Work.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-05-02
At the Door.

After the long, sharp winter this bright,
beautiful day comes like benediction. As
| looked up toward the welcome sun, this
thought came into my miud: Yonder sun
is ninety-six millions OF miles away. These
rays of light have travelled all that stipend
GUS distance, and yet | have only to drop
the curtain of my eyelid and am left in
total darkness. There might as well be no
sun as to have his rays shut out at the last
instant from this little doorway of my eye.
Even so has the Lord Jesus Christ come
from his Infinite, far-away throne on his er.
rand OF mercy to a sinners soul. That
sinner has but to close up his hearts door
and keep it bolted, and for him there might
as well have been no redemption and no
redeemer. Eternal life is refused, eternal
death is chosen at that very spot, the door
of the human heart. When an anxious in
quirer came into my study for conversation
to-day, reminded her of this illustration
of all the bright and blessed sunlight of
heaven being shut out by the drop Of an
eyelid. | said to her The decisive battle
for your salvation is to be waged right at
the door of your heart. just as the decisive
conflict of Gettysburg turned upon the fif-
teen minutes struggle at the stone wall on
the last afternoon, so the destiny of your
soul turns upon opening your hearts door
to Jesus, or holding it barred against him:
Jesus has come all the way from heaven
with the offer of eternal life. He is now
knocking at the door; he has come to the
door, but as free agent you still keep him
outside. There is no salvation for you until
he enters. Listen to the knock and the
tender accents, "If thou wilt hear my voice
and open to me the door, will come in and
sup with thee" What | said to that earnest
inquirer (for whom Jesus himself was in
quiring with all his tender compassion)
would say 10 every one who honestly desires
to be saved. Your heart is house, with
many rooms one apartment is decorated
for the occupancy of pride; in another one
covetousness may keep its iron safe; on the
walls of another perhaps sensuality has
hung some pictures that, If Christ enter,
must be pulled down. Unbelief has chilled
and darkened the whole house. Satan has a
mortgage on the whole of it, and by and by
will foreclose il. How much longer Jesus
will consent to let thee shut him out my
friend, no one can tell. Remember that he
gives last knocks. This one may be the last;
and the next sound at the door may be the
hand of death bursting in, despite all the
puny bolts and bars. Then you may look
out of the window and call with ever so
loud and agonizipg importantly for the
Saviour and he will have vanished. When
death gets possession probation is over.
Your house will be left to you desolate.
Open, then, that door with eager haste.
Welcome as friend him who will be your
judge. 1t is only moments work if you
are in earnest.
Admit him, for the human breast
Ne'er entertained so sweet guest;
Admit him, and you won't expel,
For where he comes, he comes to dwell.
DR.. Cuyler, in Christian al Work.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-05-02

tight at the bottom with cement and let it
go at that. We think q timber and plank
floor unnecessary, and likely TO rot out
quickly. II must be remembered that the
whole secret OF successful ensilsge Is the
exclusion Of the air. But when thoroughly
pressed the air can penetrate but very
little way. We think we would take a
cheese hoop as the model of q wooden slo
II we were experimenting, making a large,
deep hollow cylinder Of plank with iron
hoops, let II set upon a fiat stone floor, and
cement It. A door could be made in the
side, between the hoops, and sawdust or
straw could be packed around II to keep Il
from freezing. This would have the largest
capacity and greatest strength with the
least amount Of material. Narrow planks
should be used, of length to give the de-
sired depth, jointed as slaves are iointed,
and the hoops made with fiat loops at the
ends to be drawn tight with wedges. But
this is only suggestion, with no practice
to back 1t, and we desire to have those who
have practical experience answer these
questions.
"A Lady Subscriber wants directions
as to planting strawberries, wants TO know
whether spring or fall planting is best, and
whether potted plants are preferable to the
ordinary layers. Strawberries require r;,r
ground, aud the moister it is without be-
ing wet the better. Land not recently in
sod should be taken, because sod land is
apt to be infested with the white grub 80
destructive to strawberry plants. Put on
all the manure you think you can afford,
and add a good dressing of hardwood
ashes, say half peck to the square rod.
Set the plants in rows four feet apart, and
in the rows, from one foot TO eighteen
inches, according to the variety, some sorts
making many runners, while others make
but few and may be set close. Choose
ground as free from weeds as possible and
use manure free from weed seeds. Keep all
weeds out by frequent wedding, especially
white clover and dandelions. In Vermont
1t is very essential to locate strawberry
bed where the snow will lie all winter.
This can be effected by building fence on
the northwest side, if the natural location
is not right for that purpose. Straw is
good protection, but straw alone will not
prevent winter-killing in Vermont. We
prefer the common runner plants Qayers)
to potted plants, even at the same price,
aud spring planting to fall planting, and
think it best to set new bed every spring
for the next years fruiting, taking but one
crop OF berries from each setting. This is
less work and trouble than to keep an old
bed in order and free from weeds. Having
two plots adjoining, they may be alternated,
growing cabbages or sweet corn between
the rows the first year and English turnips
on the spot where the old bed stands, after
picking. Thus an extra crop is got each
year, and crop of strawberries every al.
ternate year, on each plot
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-05-02
Country Churches.

For the country churches we have pecu-
liar affection. We admire the simplicity of
their worship; sympsthize with them in
their varied discoursgements and him
drances, and have studied with care the in
fiuences which seem most seriously TO Grip
pie their efficiency and retard their progress.
We believe that in many of these churches,
their grsvest troubles arise from the clumsy,
inadequate, and unsatisfactory arrange
ments they make for pastoral service. Some
OF these churches are culpably negligent on
the vital question of having pastors. They
do not seem to appreciate the pastors work,
Upon the ministry of the word they put a
low estimate. They remain for months and
months without regular pastoral work, and
show no great concern about it. Now, a
pastor is well nigh essential to the life of a
country church. The large city church,
from its superior organization and ability to
secure vigorous and edifying pulpit sup
plies, can manage to work along without a
pastor, maintaining its regular worship.
But not so, generally, with country
church. Without pastor, such church
finds it almost impossible to bring the peo-
pie together either for business or worship,
or to engage ministers to administer the or
dinances. Its condition is pitiable and mel
aucholy in the extreme; and il 1t has not a
burning and persevering desire to find a
pastor, it is nigh unto death. - Religious
Herald
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-05-02
" Does IL Pay ~

This is question often asked by worldly
men in regard to worldly matters. The
children of the world, who are wise in their
generation, are wont to count the cost. Aud
It is well that they should. None but a
fool will go IL blind. Men should not spend
their money for that which is not bread,
nor their labor for that which satisfieth not.
Nor should the children of light be any less
wise in respect to spiritual matters. The
question is sometimes asked in reference TO
these "Does it payP 1t is asked in re.
gard to time spent in prayer, in reading the
Bible, and in attending on religious meet.
ings. Does it pay to spend as much time
in these ways as many dol Is there an ad-
equate return As regards dollars and
cents there may not be. Reckoning In the
coin Of earth, there may be something Of a
loss. The man who takes days and weeks
OF time during the year ~ give to the mat.
ter of religion, may not count up as large
gains at its close as II he had given all his
time to the world although we are not
sure of that. But be it 30. Has there after
all been real loss 7 In deciding this
question We must take into consideration
the mans whole existence, and not simply
that brief period of it which he spends in
this world. We must remember, too, that
:" mans life consistent not in the abun-
dance of the things that he possesseth." /"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-05-02
A Skeptic's Estimate Of Christ.

1t remains possibility that Christ actu-
ally was what he supposed himself to be
man charged with special, ex-
press and unique commission from God to
lead mankind to truth and virtue. About
the life and sayings of Jesus there is a
stamp Of personal originality, combined
with profundity of insight, which =
must place the prophet Of Nazareth, even
in the estimation of those who have no be-
lief in his inspiration, in the very first rank
of the men of sublime genius of whom our
species can boast. When this pre-emiuent
genius is combined with the qualities of
probably the greatest reformer and martyr
to that mission who ever existed upon
earth, religion cannot be said to have made
a bad choice in pitching on this man as
the ideal representative and guide of hu-
manity nor even now would 1t be easy for
an unbeliever TO find better translation of
the rule Of virtue, from the abstract into
the concrete, than to endeavor so to live
that Christ would approve his life.-From
John Stuart MiAs' Three Essays on Religion.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-05-02
vegetine
Purifes the Blood, Renovates and In.
vigorates the Whole
System.
All Writers, and their Names are
Legion, Say that to Have
Good Health
You MUST HAVE PURE BLOOD,
Reader, Have You Got Scrofula, Scrofu.
lous Humor, CancerOus HumOr, Can
Ger, or Any Disease of the Blood!
You Can Positively be Cured.
Thousands Of Testimo-
malls Prove 1t.

W EGETINE ia made exclusively from the juices
OF carefully selected barks, roots and herbs,
and so strongly concentrated that 1t will effectu-
ally eradicate from the sys stem every faint OF
ScrOfula, Scroiuious Humor, Tumors, Cam
Ger, CancerOus Humor, Erysipelas, Salt
Rheum, Canker, Faintness at the Stomach,
and all diseases that arise from impure blood
Sciatica. Infammatory and Chronic Rheu-
ma'ism, Neuralgia, GOut and Spinal Com
plants can only be effectually cured through the
blood.
For Ulcers and Eruptive Diseases OF the
Skin, Pustules, Pimples, BlOtches, Boils,
letter, Scaldhead and Ringworm, vEGE-
TINE has never failed to effect permanent cure.
For Pains In the Back, Kidney Com.
plants, Dropsy, Female Weakness, arising
from internal liberation, and uterine diseases
and General Debility, vEGETINE acts di-
rectly upon the causes Of these complaints. 1t in
vigorates and strengthens the whole system, acts
upon the secretive organs, allays Inflammation,
cures liberation and regulates the bowels.
For Catarrh, Dyspepsia, HabituaI Costive-
ness, Palpitation of the Heart, Headache,
Piles, Nervousness and General Prostration
of the Nervous System, no medicine has ever
given such perfect satisfaction as the VEGETINE.
1t purifes the blood, clesnses all Of the organs,
and possesses controlling power over the ner-
vous system.
The remarkable cures effected by VEGETINE
have induced many physicians and apothecaries
whom we know to prescribe and use it in their
own families.
In fact vEGETINE is the best remedy yet dis
covered for the above diseases, and Ia the only
reliable BLOOD PURIFIER yet placed be.
fore the public.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-05-02
Glove Is FOrbearance.N

The woman who came to Christ with that
alabaster box, venture TO say never thought
Of herself. Little did she know what an act
she was performing. 1t was just her love
for the Master. She forgot the surroundings /;
she forgot everything else that was there I;
she broke that box and poured the oint-
ment upon him, and filled the house with
its odor. The act as memorial has come
down these 1900 years. 1t is right here
the perfume of that box is in the world to-
day. That ointment was worth $40 or $50
no small sum in these days for poor
woman. Judas sold the Son Of God for
Sl5 or 800. But what this woman gave TO
Christ was everything that she had, and she
became so occupied with Jesus Christ that
she did not think what people were going to
say. So when we act with single eye for
the glory Of our Lord, not finding fault with
everything about us, but doing what we can
in the power of this love, then wiA our deeds
for God speak, and the world will acknowl-
edge that we have been with Jesus, and that
this glorious love has been shed abroad in
our hearts.-D. L. Moody
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-05-02
A Common Error.

In the following extract from one Of DIR.
Lorimer's lectures, attention is called to 3
mistake which, doubtless, every pastor has
noticed oftener than he desirfs among other
wise good people I" Not infrequently are
Christians heard TO speak of duties as
crosses to be borne, and l am convinced
that some among them regard their perfor-
nance as q complete compliance with the
law of self denial. II is cross to pray, TO
speak, TO commend Christ to others, TO at
tend church, to frequent the social meet
ings, and indeed, to do anything Of dis
tinctly religious nature. By the force Of
their will, and with the aid of sundry ad-
monitions, they bring themselves up to the
discharge of these obligations, but on the
whole, they think it should entitle them to
place in the noble army Of martyrs
am sorry to dissipate the comfortable illu-
sion, but | am compelled to assure them
that they totally misspprehend the doctrine
Of our Lord. He said it was his meat and
drink to do the will of his father, and he
never once refers to duty in any other way
than as delight. The cross was something
distinct from it and incidental to it, but
never TO be identified with it and il we
look upon it otherwise, il we find no honest
Joy in the service of God, and if we fail to
discriminate between that and the pangs
and pains to which it may give rise, we
shall fall infinitely short of the conception
embodied in the language of Christi
PRESBYTERIAN.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-05-02
Currant Culture.

Mrs. E. c. Of Barre, VT, asks us TO give
some directions in regard to currant cul-
ture. This is a much-neglected fruit in or
dinary gardens, yet with neglect it always
gave q sure and abundant crop until the ad-
vent Of the European caterpillar, which so
completely destroys the foliage, and eventu.
ally the bush, unless they are promptly
dealt with. The best aud most profitable
variety of this fruit is the Red Dutch, or,
for white, the White Grape. The best age
to transplant them is at two years from the
cutting. The propagation is very simple,
eight.inch cuttings of the currant years
growth being used. These are set in slor.
ing direction with two inches projecting
above the surface, the dirt being firmly
trodden against the lower end. If the set
ting is delayed until spring the cuttings
make very feeble growth, and many fail
altogether. They should be transplanted
at two years growth in rows, the plants
being set four feet apart. Currants will
grow in any soil, but only poorly in poor
soil, while no soil is too rich for them. In
light soils it is profitable to mulch the
bushes with straw or other light litter. 1t
keeps the roots cool, which suits them, and
it also keeps the rain from splashing the
fruit with dirt. The currant worm is gen.
orally dest. Dyed by the use Of powdered
hellebore root (called in Vermont Indian
Poke-Veratrum Veride). This is poisonous
in considerable doses to human beings, but
the very slightest quantity is death to the
currant worm. II genuine article is OBJ
tanned, two large spoonfuls Of the powder
mixed thoroughly in pailful of water and
sprinkled over the bushes until every leaf is
wet will be sufficient. The time to do this
is when the bushes are in blossom. Too
many people neglect it until they see the
worms, but as at that time their work of de.
struction is nearly completed the remedy
does little good. At blossoming time the
worms will be found clustered together
upon leaves near the ground. The eggs be-
fore Matching look like little snippings of
white thread arranged along the main ribs
of the leaf. When Matched the worms are
very small, and remain for some time upon
a single leaf. As soon as they scatter they
begin to grow rapidly, and in very few
hours will leave only bare stems. When
the hellebore is promptly applied at bios
soming time (taking bright day for the
purpose so that the leaves will dry quickly,
the worms are destroyed before they have
done any perceptible harm. There is usu.
ally second brood OF them in July, and
sometimes third in August, which must be
watched for and destroyed by repeating the
dose. There Is native currant worm that
often does some damage. This can be dis
tinguished by its being span or measur-
ing worm, with legs only at each end, and
progressing by looping along, while the
more destructive kind is true caterpillar,
with legs the whole length. Don't let the
weeds and grass choke the bushes if you
want good currants and good crop.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-05-02
Zeal for Those Inside.

Jesus Christ laid even more emphasis on
the duty and privilege of doing for those
who are already his disciples, than on the
duty and privilege Of working to induce
others to be his disciples. Yet that is not
the way in which Christians generally look
at the relative importance of evangelising
and of religious ministering and training.
Zsal for those who are out of the church
too commonly eats up zeal for those who
are in 1t. As soon as person has fairly
enlisted in the Lords army, it seems to be
taken for granted that he will look out for
his own rations and drilling.-Sunday- School
Tt..a.s
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-05-02

Though he should be loser as regards
earthly gain, 1t may be more than made up
to him In spiritual good. Aud then we
must take into consideration the endless
life beyond. Whatever of temporal good q
man may gain 1t is only for time. It ia q
transient good. But whatever OF spiritual
good man may gain II Is for eternity. It
Is an eternal good. Does he get some spir.
itual benefit by spending portion Of his
time In prayer, or in reading the Word Of
God, or in attendance on religious meet
ing q Is he thus quickened in grace Is
he Thus made more holy and heavenly In
his thoughts and affections 1t is q good
for eternity, good that will last when the
world and all the things that are therein
shall have been burned up. His happiness
in heaven win be forever augmented for his
increase in holiness here. And so to the CUES.
iion, "Does it payH" we answer, Yes, q
thousand and ten thousand times."--
Selected.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-05-02
aarirnlfma1 1eparfmenf'
T. n. HosKINs, Agricultural Editor.
THE OLD RED SLEIGH.

It Ia ont OF fashion, odd and old,
But to me it's worth i,s weight p gold.
For my father owned II years ago
when we lived In the farm house long and low;
How proud felt the very nrst day
l rode around in the old red sleigh.
You see II IA mended here and there,
Where the paint has worn and left II bare
And II forms mark for many Jokes
Because II don't look like other folks';
But let them laugh and have their say,
III always keep the old red sleigh.
When 1t was young and knew lIfes Joys"
II carried loads Of men and boys,
And one with sunny floating cufls
Was more to me than the other girls,
And many a word Of love we'd say
In the very back seat OF the old red sleigh.
Nancy and I would often ride
In the sleigh together, aide by side;
And we promised when the moon shone still
To help each other mp life's rough hill;
And we took our wedding ride one day,
Happy az kings, In the old red sleigh.
hui the boys were growing smart and tall
And the old sleigh did not suit Al all;
And Fred a, last began to tell
How he wouldn't ride In that old she'll
And 40 went TO town one day
And bargained for brand-new sleigh.
II was light, and fancy, and easy, too,
But we old folks couldnt make 10 do;
For 1t was painted and striped no ine
I never felt as II 1t were mine
In spite Of all the boys conid say,
We always rode in ibs old red sleigh
Those days are gone; bright, laughing Fred
Is sleeping the sleep of the quiet dead;
Dick has built him house on the hill,
And none are left at home but will
He's kind TO his father and mother gray,
And takes good care Of the old red sleigh.
Ah, well, the ties Of the past are strong.
And some may laugh who read my song,
But when think Of those vanished years
cannot stop the falling tears;
And there's nothing on the farm to-day
So dear TO me az the old red sleigh.
Cape Ann Adrtriise