The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-03-20
FEED ny LAMBS
JESSIE w. ASHLEY.


them when the rector of st. Marks arose
and facing his congregation announced
the text for his morning discourse, Feed
My Lambs!''
Mr. Streeter settled back comfortably in
his luxurious pew, a glow of complacent
satisfaction warming his heart towards his
rector, and the world at large; benign
smile just lighting up the blue of his eyes,
and lending less decided curve to his rath
err thin lips.
There was no reason why he should not
enjoy the coming sermon. Occasionally
Che owned to himseD the rector's subject
did not afford unmitigated pleasure, espec-
tally when it was of loving our neghbors as
ourselves, and not only forgiving en-
emies their transgressions but ever doing
good unto those that despitefully use US
Mr.. Streeter considered himself a pretty
good sort of man. generally speaking, but
he couldn't quite agree to go out OF his
way in order to show favor to an enemy.
But when the sermon touched upon char-
ity and charitable objects he could ENJOY
1T with clear conscience.
An audacious sunbeam strayed through
the window and shone with uner-
ring precision straight in Mr.. Streeters
eyes. 1t useless to attempt to get out
until at last in sheer WEAKNESS. he closed
his eyes, concluding to hear the sermon
without watching the speaker.
He listened attentively for few mo-
ments approving particularly the rector's
statements as to our respOnsibilities-we
were given duty to perform, and he, tor
one, was performing it. Did he not contrib
ute handsomely towards the rectors sal
airy, and general church expenses? Did his
name not head the list of money contrib
uted for work home and abroad? Had
he refused to respond to any call the
church had made? while many outside
charities had received his aid also. He felt
extremely well satisfied with Aaron Street.
err, Esq, senior partner and general man.
ager of the firm of Streeter & Co., who
were doing a thriving business even in
the existing hard times.
He was always willing to devote his tenth
of the dividends to charity, and while he
never looked upon himself model for
other men to profit by, yet there were
men of his acquaintance whom he felt GER
tain might be more generous and yet make
no real sacrifice. He wondered If the ser
mon had touched these men, but it was
really too much of effort to unclose his
eyes and meet that troublesome sunbeam.
The rectorS voice sounded far, far away,
but, as he was about to solve the problem,
he found himself on the bank of stream,
from either side of which green hills sloped
gently back their sides dotted with flocks
of sheep and sleek, well fed cattle.
Was this a pretty pastoral picture he was
enjoying, was he on the farm where his
boyhood was passed? There was some
thing strangely familiar about it all, and,
surely, he had seen those same sheep be-
fore. Their eyes glanced up at him with
Well-rcmembered expression of patient
waiting, and this one, so very close to
him-really, he had the same look he had
often observed in the eyes of his head
bookkeeper-a sort of half discouraged, yet
hope-for-the-best expression; and listen!
This is certainly his bookkecper's voice
that greets his ear.
" Feed my lambs your rector tells you,
is a divine command, and you congratulate
yourself upon obeying it to the letter, yet
while you give literally to the charitable
enterprises for which the church and so
ciety soicits, what do you do for us, who
depend upon you for daily bread; who
give to you our faithful service and
deavor to merit your appreciation? How
much of last years profit was the result
of our faithfulness, and how much credit
did you accord us? A few words of mer-
tied praise, but pecuniarily the merest
trife for which help can be secured! Would
you work for just your board and clothes,
Mr.. Streeter? Don't you think your en-
ployes would like to donate occasionally
to sweet charity; yet how can we upon
the salary you pay?'
We'll upon my word,' thought Mr..
Streeter, this fellow needs his discharge,
other sheep crowded close beside him, and
saw his whole Office force, even to Sam,
the little office boy, represented One after
the other followed the example of the head
bookkeeper and told tale of woe and low
wages.
stenographer, with defiant toss of her
head, I'VE would leave you in a moment
but might not find other employment
and crust is better than nothing, but for
a man who pretends to be a Christian-a
man who prides himself upon being thought
generous" and with another toss of her
head she looked volumes Of reproach at
her employer, to the evident satisfaction
of the rest of the group.
Il could obtain any number of young
men and women who would fill your posi-
tons at the salary you receive and accept
the terms gladly" he responded tartly.
YES said the bookkeeper, needs must
when necessity drives and there are many
possessing the ability and required business
knowledge who have means, or parents
and guardians, to look after Them whose
livelihood does not depend upon their own
exertions. They can well afford to work
for a mere pittance. 1t furnishes them
with amusement and pin money, and
crowds the thousands Of needy workers to
the WALL
Mr.. Streeter felt he ought to grow indig
nant to be thus brought to task by his
bookkeeper, but even at the risk of en-
couragng impertinence, he was inclined to
hear what his helpers had to say.
You are at liberty to go elsewhere for
employment" he said, but you doubtless
will not find any better positions or re-
ceve more compensation.
I'VE find no fault with the position, or
with YOU was the answer, lit is only the
question of salary. You pose as Chris
tan gentleman and an honest man. vet YOU
deliberately defraud us of our rightful
wages, simply because you are in a posi-
ton to do so, and there are men-with
mild sarcasm-who never go inside a church
who do not pretend to be either charitable
or Christians On your acceptance of the
term who pay their help not the least
possible sum for which help can be OBJ
tanned, but sum which they consider
their employees fully earn and are entitled
to. They feed His lambs, also, not by os-
tentatious giving, but by an honest pecun-
larry recognition of valuable services"
Mr.. Streeter could hardly credit his
senses. His employees liable to striker
Such well disciplined employees as they
were too-but the under bookkeeper, in
answer to this thought, muttered some
thing about a trodden on worm turning at
last, and Mr.. Streeter looked into their
faces with consciousness that obligation
existed on both sides, also that he had
slightly failed in his.
He was revolving the matter pro and
con, when lost sight of the green fields,
the reproachful glances and instead he
heard the organs swelling tones and real
ized he had been asleep.
He looked suspiciously about, to see how
many had observed it, but the congregation
was intently listening to the music. en-