The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1898-04-08

than practice temporary self-denial
and suffer hardships will allow them
selves to become deeply involved
financially, trusting to luck or kind
ness OF their creditor to help them
out. Extravaganza and thoughtlcss-
ness are responsible for no small por-
tion Of the financial troubles that
men bring upon themselves. Too
many look upon ECONOMY as disgrace
full, while the incurring OF debt they
regard as a convenient and commend
able means of getting along. We agree
heartily with the writer who said:
at is coarse thinking to confound
spending with generosity or saving
with meanness." Better is a dinner
of herbs and a proud consciousness OF
owing no man anything than a grand
feast ard dread OF any creditors. Ii
people would make it rule not to
buy what they cannot afford. as well
AS what they do not need, much mis-
cry would be prevented. OftimeS,
however, the impecunious and the
debt-burdened are the least careful In
their expenditures. Some who owe
their merchants heavy bills, and who
plead inability to pay, somehow man
AGE ia take the whole family to the
circus or the theatre, and literally
patronizc the confectionery dealer.
Many run into debt because they
keep no regular account OF what they
spend. If the money spent for trifles
and unneccessaries were iotted down,lt
would serve as a check upon extrava-
vance. What a deal OF trouble could
be prevented, II people Of all classes
would make 1t a rule not to live be-
| yond their income.
No man has a right to buy what he
has not il reasonable hope OF paying
for. One OF the things especially for
hidden in our general rule Is taking
up goods without the probability OF
paying for them" Paying what we
owe is as plain a christian duty as
prayer or the reading of the scriptures.
Speculation Is another frequent
cause OF financial embarrassment. In
their haste to get rich many think the
ordinary methods Of business too slow
and SO make rash Investments, or re-
sort to the poolroom and the STOCK
exchange, hoping to win a fortune at
one scoop. The man who wishes tc
keep out of debt should beware OF
s speculation. The majority after sucl
ventures are like sheep that have
been heeced, and little pity do they
deserve.
Now and then preachers are blamed
! some OF them very uujustly-for be
coming involved in debt. A few o
them doubtless are extravagant ant
; unwise In their habits Of living, bu
J in most instances the blame rest
with the people whom they serve
: The majority Of ministers get pitiaol
, small salaries, which are usually no
! paid until the end Of the year, an
5 then rarely full. Hence they mus
e run an account or starvc. A preacher
= however, had better live on prison far
: than get the reputation of not payin
Z his debts. Such reputation once CT
] tablished means an end Of all uscfu
! ness.
= The ready settlement Of ones fnal
. cial obligations, or In case OF ilso
vency, an earnest effort to meet then
q is one OF the strongest proofs OF chri
tiaD integrity. No christian will re-
u contcnted until he has done his be-
u to pay every cent he owes. Many
u man who now meets bis current e.
penscs make little or no cflert TO pa
u bills OF long standing. 1t Is folly lt
q such a man to think himself homes
r or religious. Like Zacheus, ne mus
:, rectify the past. The example OF 81
n Walter Scott, who finding himself .
e, Tie age Of IS, 100000 In debt, lahore
J, with might and main till the end {
,e Ma days with q determined effort
8, nav all he owed, is worthy Of emul
o tion by every debtor. The honor
Q his name was to him more preciol
. than rubies.
The year past hos been an exceptIo
!. ally hard one on the Southern farmcl
: : thousands Of whom have, 10 spite