The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-25
Mr.. HOW'S REASONS FOR
GIVING $1,000, 900 TO THE POOR

every way to help on his hope Of re-
generating mankind.
This modern apostle went east/long
ago to attend meeting of the Broth
erhood of Daily Life, an association
which he himself founded. He visited
an old friend who was a college chum
of his at Harvard. The chum sat down
with Mr.. How to a fine breakfast. But
the rich young man declined to eat the
sumptuous fare. Instead he walked to
the Medical Mission in Brooklyn and
paid three cents for breakfast of pea
soup, bread and coffee.
A visiting minister approached him
and asked him what kind of Christian
work he was doing.
Trying the best I can to get away
from the Christ and the church you
And 1t is the hardest thing / have to
do"
The minister stared. "Are you not
Unitarian?" he asked.
No"
Then you are not a Christian"
81 think / am more of a Buddhist
than Christian" the self-extinguished
millionaire answered. Sometimes
think / am more of Christian than a
Buddhist, and again more a Buddhist
than a Christian 1 don't know just
which"
The minister turned uncomfortably
red in the face and walked away sorely
grieved. This kind of literal Christi
anity he was not accustomed to and
it made him feel nervous. Mr.. How
was too deep for him. THAT man, -
the preacher said, puzzled, sis actu-
ally doing what Jesus has told him to
do"
Mr.. How has another crochet
strangely out of joint with the com
monty accepted practice of Christian
ministers. He does not believe in the
wisdom of saying: They who preach
the gospel should live by the gospel.
Now this is radical Even the Saliva
ton Army follows the universal prac-
tice. But Mr.. How breaches the gos-
pei and supports himself by the labor
of his own hands. He is apt at many
! trades, and,is an excellent and willing
hand at ''odd jobs" And he finds he
can give some of his earnings even to
on his fortune, for his needs are few.
He is a strict vegetarian. and his APP
parel is as simple as was that of his
divine model.
This anomaly among men entertains
no FOOLS dream that other rich men will
follow his example. He is only trying
to do the best that is in his power to
so live his own life that it will COM
port with the unequivocal command of
Jesus. But he believes that the exam
pie of his brotherhood will stimulate
other wealthy men to be more careful
| of the public good. If men will not be 50
anxious to accumulate wealth, the
division of wealth will be more equal,
he thinks, and poor men will be given
an opportunity of doing good other
wise impossible. If a rich mans son
would consent to drive a dray-were
he untitled for better occupation-the
poor mans son might become Judge.
The purpose of the brotherhood is to
encourage a feeling of sympathy, and
to induce men to help and to love one
another. Loving one another is the SUI
preme test set by Jesus of mems merits,
and the fruits of that neighborly love
are the standards by which Christians
are to be known. All the members of
the brotherhood earn their bread with
their own hands.
Mr.. How has not the appearance of
a fanatic. He is a fanatic in no sense
of the word. He is convinced that his
only happiness can be found in just the
way of life he has chosen. Prominent
citizens have taken him up, and will
see that his interest money is judicious-
ly bestowed upon the poor, according
to Mr. How's dearest wish.