The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-07-10
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Another meeting was held in refer
ence to the debt of the two great So
cieties. Mahaly Bird was there hav-
ing now a debt of her own, "she
sensed things better.
Five of her best hens being con-
WINGED that they were expected to
work, preferred death, SO died; the
roof of the cottage leaked; she must
have new pipe to her kitchen stove.
Miss Bird was not iublant, but
broader in her views.
Earnest prayer was offered and
appeals made for money at the meet
ing. Among others, Martha Sloan
spoke. The "they." so often men,
toned in her speech, were undesig-
mated individuals neglecting import
ant trusts committed to them.
They had no business to get into
debt; they must cut down, curtail,
economic, not spend what they have
not to spend"
At this Miss Bird stood up. All
expected she would emphasize Sister
Sloan's remarks.
SISTERS" she began, "I've had
some 'sperience in figgerin' lately. l
don't feel SO sure about keepin' out
of debt whether or no. | see things
different since my hen-house went to
wrack an ruin. For the first time in
my hull life, I'm in debit The hen
house was the beginning ont. I've
read how the ants an other bugs eat
inter the posts the houses are set up
on where the missionaries be, an
fore they know it they are all to bits,
an money or no money, they have
got to be built up, same's my hen
house.
1--WE had a number of money dis
appointments long back. We are
all prone to wander; some who were
fierce for missions are took up with
other charities an give somewheres
else. I've bin trying to help Sarah
Jane-who is in decline-keep her
gal to school. She must be kept, as
l see it. Now they can't shut up
schools out there an let the heathens
go no one knows where; specially if
they have start, as it were.
81 did expect my hens would stan
by me; but you can't never place no
dependence on hen. Now the men
that are SEEM to things down to
Boston air as disappointed in folks
who have always given to the cause
as | was in them do-nothin' hens. [
set alone to home sight, having
only my cat for company, an he is
on an off, so I've looked it all over,
an for the life of me l don't see
how they can help borrowin' money.
"That is very nice gentleman,
who sells lie for a Twin, who is going
to give such pile of money; but
arter all, we must give our 'widder's
mite When our meetin'- house was
a-building, Gran'ther Higgins would
give dollars worth of shingles
poor as he was-'cause he said he
should feel so meechin' every time
he went by it if he'd had no hand
int"
Miss Bird stopped, but did not sit
down. Her hands twitched, flush
came into her withered face, and she
cast childishly appealing glance at
the minister's wife, who was in the
chair. "Glad to hear more from you,
Miss Bird" gave her courage to go
| on.
81 think for one," she continued,
I'D feel meechin' if l don't give
somethin' for this debt; can't give
much. | wish we could have all
over the country a fve-cent day.
Ev'ry church-member, big or little,
rich or poor, give five bit an no
more. The lie gentleman an me
alike. Those who air to proud to
give their mite would feel that he
was giving his 'widder's mite same
as them. 1t would be sort of COM
fort, pears 10 me. All on us equal
once in our lives. l don't mean this
to be the hull, but an extry. Poor
as l be, hens or no hens, l mean to
trust the Lord an give two dollars"
They talked it over, and the little
church in k is to give all it
can, and the first Sunday in June
each member is to give fve-cent
bit "entry."-The Waterman.
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