The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1897-05-01

~ MAY 1 1897.
ton, perhaps not always the most
profitable, on the other hand may be
spent in quiet study and meditation.
Young people who are really de-
sirous TO become students of good
literature will eagerly seize the oppor-
tunity afforded in this department.
They will attend the literary meetings,
not as some say because they haven't
any place else TO go, but if made
interesting and instructive, because IN
them they find real edilication. They
will attend once per week, too, if
roads are bad. OF AL the fimsy
excuses for country people to make
Except in most exceptional cases) for
non-attendance upon any function,
bad roads is the very ilimsiest of oil.
| have in mind one young Lacquer
whose father owns II road wagon, a
/
himself owns a handsome phaeton,
cutter (and bells), Il riding horse and
a bicycle. When the weather will not
admit of the use of any of these means
of locomotion he walks and never
misses meeting of any kind. He is
not just an ordinary country man,
either, but an intelligent young gen.
tleman who has elsewhere to go and
who has been to various places of
interest already, has seen some of the
large things of this world and can talk
about them.
Have the reading course by all
means. Any league can afford one
set. 1t would be better, of course, to
have several if owners would read
before hand and be ready for discussion
when they meet. If not one set will
do as well, and its use has at least one
thing to recommend It, All the read
ing must be done in the circle and
those who answer on review must
|
10 form the habit of concentration.
There is greater incentive to work
in a prescribed course of reading, but
| if it just cannot by hook or by crook
be had, there is an abundance of good
literature that may be brought into
requisition. A community that could
| f,,r oh ct,4f
be designated by DIR. Steel as shaving
moss on it," ''Not to have moss" is
one of the doctrines of DR.. Steel's
creed, and he is sound on doctrine in
good many things. With the present
facilities and present cheapness of
things there is no excuse for ''moss''
anywhere.
1t is considered of doubtful propriety,
by even some of the powers that be, TO
have devotional exercises at literary
meetings. But these meetings opened
with devotional exercises and closed
reverently with the league beneuiction,
coming midway between devotional
meetings, will aid materially IN keeping
alive the interest in the latter. Never
fear that the observance of the habit of
scripture reading and prayer in all
meetings will tend to produce long
faced Christians. On the other hand
it will tend to the cultivation of
happy, joyous Christianity.
| Tho Eipdlu Invitation tho Jo;nt,,
menu and the musical and literary
program judIciously arranged and
carried out, will about solve the
problem for the social meeting. 1t is
never very difficult to work up an
interest when there is prospect of a
really good time ahead-and country
folks deserve to have good time once
in a while.
The plan may appear unlque-but it
is good one. nevertheless-at one of
these meetings is a favorable oppor-
tunity for taking a collection for a
special purpose in the way of free
will offering, If announced before hand.
In business of any kind there is
nothing more essential than prompt
ness in the most minute detail. If
there be the smallest amount of league
business to attend to, give an evening
in the week to the business meeting.
Conduct in business like way and
don't omit devotional exercises. 1t
mill ba p,nob ,,,ora aotiSfontOry, than IS
crowded into few minutes before
literery or devotional meeting. What
ever is worth doing at all is worth
doing we'll, and a small amount OF
work thoroughly done is worth more
than great deal imperfectly done.
Above all things take collections
promptly and send them off when due.
The general and state assessments are
so small and so important as well, that
occasion for IA dun ought never to be
given. Their non-payment is simply
convincing proof of negligence pure
and undefiled on somebody's part, |
because the most indifferent member
will not refuse to raise the sum of |
fifteen cents if asked for it.
Frequently complaint is made of
dearth of officer material. 1t is |
fortunate if there be barely enough for
one cabinet to begin with. Utilize
that to the best advantage and retain
the same staff through second 0here is !
objection to third) term of office.
If absolutely necessary, however, still
retain, but in different offices. If
these do their whole duty, surely by
time for another election there will be
others who have grown sufficiently in
grace and in knowledge to take their
places. If not | know of nothing
better to suggest than retention till
time for superannuation.
And now, dear leaguers, ere that
time comes to us all, while yet we have
years for active service before US, let
us learn to do everything ''as unto the
| Lord
Duty is close beside us. Let us
trust Him with fuller trust until we
come TO that high life where we shall
''be careful for nothing; but in every
thing, by prayer and supplication,