The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-06-24
What Allied the Church.

Something was the matter with the
church at Perry; not the building,
though that looked shabby enough,
with its rickety sidewalk and lettering
fence.
Yes" said Miss Sarah, "look at
that; the fence can't even stand alone,
but is leaning further out toward the
world every day. It's my opinion
that's the way with most of the men,
bers."
Every eye followed the motion of her
hand, as she pointed impressively
toward the staring windows, and, look
ing out, every one felt the force of her
apt, if somewhat uncharitable remark.
The poor old fence, struggling along
zig-zag fashion, propped here and there
with broken rail, did indeed lean far
out toward the world, and the beams of
cold winter moon lent ghastliness
to the desolate picture.
GO AS bowling wall shall we be, and
as a tottering fence" murmured
grandma Wallace, while Deacon Wal
lace stroked his long beard and looked
around in mild surprise. Women
didn't speak out in meeting in Perry;
sister Susan Grace thought it highly
improper, and that settled the question
with everybody except Miss Sarah,
who always would talk when and where
she pleased. However. this wasn't
exactly sin meeting; the two or three,
gathered in the name of the Master,
were lingering around the stove, wait
ing perhaps, though unconsciously, for
the promised benediction that had not
fallen upon their hearts during the
hour of prayer. a fresh call for money
was being discussed, with but poor
results, until Elder Grace proposed to
leave the matter in the hands of the
ladies. Deacon Wallace responded by
saying: have done my last begging.
1t is impossible to raise money to meet
our current expenses; every month |
supply the deficiency out of my own
pocket"
And" added Elder Grace, when
ever minister comes here to preach |
pay half his expenses out of my pocket
Let the women manage it, then"
said Miss Sarah. All agreed and the
little assembly dispersed.
Nine souls at prayer-meeting out of
a membership OF eighty-three! An
imposing church edifice whose lofty
arches echoed not with the sound of
gospel invitation A people who must
could not raise money to employ such a
one! Very, there was something wrong
with the church at Perry.
Years ago little band of disciples
| planted the gospel banner in this wilder
ness. The town grew, their needs in
creased, and when they were bent and
old they said to each other, " Let us
build temple for the worship of the
Almighty; we will make it far beyond
our simple needs, so that our children
unto successive generations may throng
its courts with praise and thanksgiving"
They did so, and left this enduring
memorial of their good works. But of
late Gods people here had passed
through great and peculiar trials and
| discOuragements-trials from without
| and strifes and chickering's even among
those who were irrevocably pledged to
watch over each other in love, and to
forgive, if need be, until seventy times
seven. They couldn't keep a preacher.
! 1t had been several months since the
last one had slipped away so quietly
that some of the members living out of
| town came to church the Sabbath fol-
lowing, not knowing he was gone, and
group of disconsolate members
clustered round the church-door and
said, wOnderingly, to each other, "What
is the matter with the church at
Perry?'
"Well, about that money" said Miss
Sarah at the next society meeting.
"What money!" inquired Mrs.
Green, glancing around.
" Twenty-Five dollars for our mission
ary," answered Miss Sarah.
81 never give to foreign MISSIONS"
came the chilling reply.
"We must raise the money! calmly
continued Miss Sarah; show will we
do ii?'
CHARITY begins at home," called
out a sharp voice.
I" We do need much at home," said
Mrs. Brown; "the roof of the church
leaks, the fence is down and we must
have parsonage"
" And they all began with one con-
sent to make excuse" pleasantly re-
torted Miss Sarah.
"I think" timidly suggested Sister
Susan Grace, that we can give liber-
ally aud not feel any poorer for it,"
o. There is that scattereth abroad
and yet increaseth; and there is that
withholdelh more than is meet, but it
tendeth to poverty" softly uttered
grandma.
So they talked, sometimes one at a
time and sometimes all at once, until
out of the confusion was heard voice,
+" Let grandma Wallace decide. Come
on with your Scripture, grandma"
Without hesitation she answered:
$500 We into all the world and preach
the gospel to every creature
Does that mean foreign missions?"
asked one.
" 1t is perhaps the last command of
our Saviour to his diciples," she con-