Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1922-01-11
Returns $500 for 500 Loan.


The following letter appearing in
the last issue of the Vermont Mis-
sionary is of interest for two reaons.
It's writer was born in Barton and
the principle of justice he proclaims
is worthy of wide publicity.
Eugene, Ore, Nov. 10Th, 81.
Mr.. Alvin c. Noyes,
st. Johnsbury, VT.
Dear Sir:
/ understand that you are treas
urer dof a fund created by one of the
early Fairbanks, long since gone to
his reward, for the purpose of aiding
worthy young men preparing for the
ministry.
In the fall of 1873 and spring of
1874, I received from this fund the
sum of 800, four quarterly install
ments of $25 each; upon the theory
and supposition that l was preparing
for the ministry. l was at the time
honestly intending and expecting to
make that my life work; but One
wiser than / and Who knew better
than my sainted mother what He had
in store for me ruled otherwise and
1T has not been my lot or portion to
preach the gospel, according to the
general acceptance of the term.
We used to hear over in New Eng
land, fifty to sixty years ago, much
about young men being called" to
preach. | still believe many have
been so called, but I believe Just as
strongly and sincerely that young
men are called to the medical and
legal professions, as well as to the
clergy; and heartily believe that nv
life has counted more, poor and i'm
perfect as it has been. for the up-
building of the Kingdom of God and
the advance Of Christianity, than it
would have, had completed a theo-
logical course and tried to preach.
But be that as it may, I did not do
that and it is now too late to turn
back and begin over again. I realize
though, that this 500 was not in
tended for the advancement of the
work L have been engaged in and it
should have been returned long ago.
but the All-Wise Father has NOT
seen tit to entrust wealth or much of
Chls worlds goods to my care and ]
nave never seen the time that I felt
that In justice to my family, I could
return 1t. | now realize that what
DO l must do quickly. NV girls are
now women and have homes of their
own. She, who for As years has been
dearer to me than life, has gone on
before to that haven, from which
none return. l have very little use
Tor money and am still able to earn
little and from that little. I must
SO far as possible make amends to
this fund for what it bestowed upon
me in good faith and which I received
In good faith, but have not used ac-
cordlng to that purpose.
When quite small boy, living up
on Barton mountain, where I was
born, l learned that money invested
at per cent. interest doubled in
about 16 years. There have been
practically three periods of 16 years
each since l received this money; SO
according to this rule the 500 should
have been doubled three times, and ]
am enclosing herewith cashiers check
No. 9070, u. s. National Of Eugene,
payable to your order for $500, the
amount reached by the third doubl-
ing; trusting that it may help some
young fellow on the way which was
not planned for me.
There has never been a time when
young men consecrated to the minis
try were more needed than now and
/ sincerely hope that this little ad-
vance to me may prove as bread cast
upon the waters and returning after
many days.
Cordially yours,
A. E. Wheeler.