The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1886-01-02

be laying up money. Deacon Jones was
worth fifty-thousand dollars, and not a
chick nor child in the world. He paid
twenty dollars toward the salary. Uncle
Daniel said if their minister wished to
write for the papers, and his wife take
boarders he had no objection, but they
ought to be relieved of paying SO large
a salary. He proposed it be reduced
one hundred dollars. No one had the
courage to propose this before, but now
the bull was taken by the horns, and
jhe meeting was we'll under way. One
brother said the minister never visited
lin; he wanted a man who would stay
all day and spend the night. Another
remarked that he saw the minister play
ing lawn tennis with some young people.
He was greatly grieved. Somebody else
thought clergyman should not wear
flannel. So the word went about. The
society meeting is the safety-valve for
cfS>on =, croakers and penurious men,
4 S.~ould be ashamed of their
J. er recalled them.
After they had expressed their minds
quit! freely John Hicks got up and
spoke as follows: "My friends, you
seem to be quite ready to part with our
minister. Indeed, I should advise him
to go where he will be better appreci-
ated. He can command large salary.
He is an unusual preacher. He has
family of children to educate. You have
no. one honest thing against him. You
wish to drive sharp bargain and make
Hundred dollars. Our young people
alllike him because he is one with them.
1 wonder he can afford even a blue
flannel with your penurious policy. If
you reduce the salary you will lose your
minister and deserve it too" John
Hicks was young man, the superin-
tendent of the mill. He paid seventy
five dollars on the subscription. The
clear common sense of his remarks
struck home. The meeting began to
look at the other side of the question.
They never seriously thought of losing
him. They had tried him a good deal.
They would not see his like again if he
left them.
Deacon Higgins had said nothing
through all this discussion. That he
had kept up powerful thinking was
evident by the expression of his homely
face. He never talked unless he had
something to say. "Brethren," said
the Deacon, "I hold in my hand the
resignation of the Rev. John More
house. The gossip of the last few
months has not failed to reach his ears.
He is sensitive but conscientious man.
He desires to relieve the Church of the
burden of raising eight hundred dollars
a year. If l had not believed in the
good sense of this Society l should have
read this resignation at the opening of
the meeting. We have obliged our
pastor to steal hours from his sleep to
earn money to support his family. His
good wife has become kitchen servant
to educate her children. This church
half a million dollars. We
cannot afford to be so mean. Brethren,
l move this resignation be not accepted,
- ss:.eSsEe raise one thousand dollars
asked to be regularly installed.".
There was silence for moment, 81
lence that could be felt. Some looked
ashamed, few angry, others pleased.
But they were taking it in. Deacon
Noah Higgins spoke with authority.
He was force, godly man. He had
said as he sat down, 81 will double my
subscription, but it may be too late.
There was a committee to hear our
minister last Sabbath, and they were
greatly pleased" Then the people
took it in. 1t is strange how precious
a thing grows if some one else wants it.
Podunck people knew their duty. The
resolution was passed, committee ap'
pointed to wait on the minister and the
meeting adjourned.
Podunck church did not received its
just deserts, for the parson stayed;
but the people had learned needed
lesson. When the Society met the next
year they had barely a quorum, and
voted the salary without dissent.