The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-01-20
WHAT SHEDID WHITTIER RAISE
BY JOHN CHESTER.

Abel Proctor. treasurer Of the River
dale church, breathed deep sigh. on
the table before him, in the church
yestry, lay the envelopes for the days
collection. and the loose change" very
loose" indeed.
81 don't know" he was saying to
himself, things begin to look dlsoour~
aging. Collections run behind expenses
and we haven't raised our missionary
budget yet.
Seems to me folks don't feel their
responsibility as they used to. Now l
wonder how many of our people lay
by on the first day
He stopped suddenly. for in the door
way of the vestry stood Ethel Rutland,
one OF the young people he had been
speaking about. He looked bit en-
bsrTassed. for Ethel had been distinctly
in his mind. lie knew her salary in
the village bank had just been raised
TO eighteen dollars a week, for Abel
was one OF the directors.
"Oh--a--Mss Rutland" he stammer-
ed, did you want to see me-
Yes, Deacon Proctor" smiled Ethel;
there Is problem that perplexed me
a little, and | thought that you, being
church treasurer, and knowing all
about the financial affairs of the church
could help me out"
Financial affairs?" gasped the dea-
con; I'm surprised" he stopped.
why, yes, of course, If there is any
thing that l can do"
"You see. it's like this Ethel began,
II practise tithing my income, You
know, and"
why. no." interrupted the deacon
joyously, his face beaming like the
rising sun, 81 didn't know it, Miss
Ethel; I'm deiighted-thank- the A.eftit >
"Of course" blushed Ethel. you
didn't know 1t. but meant simply that
II do that way. and
But how long have you been doing
III" the irrepressible deacon put in
again.
why, I began it before I came to
Riverdale."
you don't say! Why, when you
began to work in the bank we only
gave you dollar day. Well l say
for it, there's some of my opinions
about young folks that | shall have to
audit again. But l beg your pardon
for hindering you so. You see. ! was
surprised and pleased that l most
forgot what you said at first. What
was II that you wanted TO ask me
about?"
"WeIl, you know. of course. as one
of the, directors, that i have had pay
raised at the bank several times: the
last time only a few weeks ago. I
have always felt that this was one
way that the Lord recognized my
obedience to one of his commands,
though / never did it for that reason
-"
"No--no; not at all. Miss Rutland;
why--why--yes, twas. OF course, In one
way But So far as we. were concerned
it was on account Of fidelity, good work,
and an interest in what you were doing.
But there. l won't say another word to
interrupt you"
1T doesn't trouble me Bit" laughed
Ethel. 'it makes IL all the easier to
say what / want to. AT the beginning
of this year I estimated my income,
and pledged a certain amount for
church expenses, and other amounts
for home and foreign missions. and
other benevolent objects. But now that
my income has been increased con-
siderably, l find that / have what We
call in the bank an undivided surplus
in the Lords tenth. Now, | thought.
perhaps, you could advise me what it
will be best for me TO do with it,
The muscles of the deacons face
worked vigorously, He looked up at
the ceiling, he cleared his throat husk-
ily and began in a gentle voice:
Lord. increase our faith / was