Year: 1862

canning fruit but this the best for hard times, as it
is tn least expensive. It answers for every sort Of
cans, tumblers, pitchers, tin-cups and bot
ties. How much the poor might add to their health
and comfort by little care and forethought in put
ting down few bottles Of fruit in the season for
them, to be used in the long, dreary Winter, when
their table fare is so limited In most country
places there are wild berries or plums which may
be had for the gathering, and very little expense
would preserve them nicely.


| Never did Mrs. Moore and her family look with
half so much pride and pleasure on her housewife
stores. There is double joy in any possession
which we feel we have fairly earned.


at seems to mo we never lived half so high as
we do these hard times" said Mr. Moore laughing
! ly as he TOOK his place at the bountful dnner-ta-
bic, "and the curiosity is it don't cost any thing
either


awe must thank our Industrious Frank for it,"
said his mother, looking proudly at her boy whose
sun Drowned face glowed with more vigorous
health than he had ever known before.
"Aud our good appotites too,' said the boy, as
he proceo ed with astonishing ease 10 clear his
plate Of the substantias with whck it Was loaded.


1t is worth great deal to see him looking so
hearty" said his father earnestly. l was always
afraid Frank would grow up delicate. believe
plenty of outdoor exercise is the best thing for him.
He must not keep at his books the whole year
round"


| The spirit of economy entered into all Of Mrs.
Moorcs plans of housekeeping, and the little girls
catching her spirit were also fond of contriving
methods for helping through the hard times.
~ wish we could do our washing ourselves,
! ,tI, A 1,y Thot %,
us half dollar every week."


"Ishould hardly like to-" sail her mother, "eren
if my strength was sufficient. Poor Mrs Sherm IN
depends on her washing to support herself and her
two little children. We can better afford to pay
her the half dollar than she afford to do with
out it. Christ means just what he says when he
! bids us love our neighbor as Cuiself' In hard
times it is the duty Of those who can to employ
poor people who have been accustomed to depend
on them for work as far az possible. 1t is much
more Of charity than to do the work ones self
and give them the money to relieve their distress.
The best way to help the poor is to teach them To
help themselves. One needs much wisdom to di-
rect, even in the matter of ecOnomizing; but the
Word of God is the best guide in this, as in every
thing else. If the spirit of tho Bible dwell in us
richly we shall seldom be at a loss To decide.


4" 1t would save us five dollars year to stop our
magazine and paper but should feel that might
as we'll save it out of my childrcn's bread. They
contain just the fresh, wholesome food our minds
and souls need and we should lose gr, a deal in
spiritual strength by doing without them.


"But now will tell you what we may do. l
wish t1 make two good puff bed quilts before Win
ter, ani new clio for both sides would cost nearly
II .l, a., 4 !
calico aud gngham enough to set together in som,
large block-work fashion, and make both Of them.
You may help m. ii You will take care to sew very
nicely"


Tn, ittlc girls were delighted with the project,
and sci ~ work very diligently to help rip apart
some wcll-wo dresses anl aprons, which, III due
tim,, were neatly "picccd together" making one of
thos; comfortable, home-like quilts which children
love to remember, and which mothers hands used
to tuck snugly arounl the little slc,pers in that
low b.i in the old cottage chamber


So Interested did the little girls become in their
employment that they saved carefully all the bright
new scraps of calico aud made them into pretty
| patchwork quilt for their own room. 1t is great
thing to teach child habits of industry, and self
helping, but the practice is becoming sadly Old
fashioned Few seem to reflect that the clause,
Six days shalt thou labor" is as much a COM
mand the one which says, Rcaembcrtho Sab
bath day to keep it holy"


| The hard times were over atlength, and by Gods
blessing their prudent economy Mr.. Moore's
family had been able to keep clear of even dol
lars debt. Mr.. Moore had made the most of little
opportunities, not despising even the humblest job
of work that might him dime. Plenty of
those about him with larger incomes had incurred q
heavy debt, that would dcprsss every energy for
years to come. The carpenters family felt that
had never spent happier year, and the lesson they
had learned was of lifelong service.


Hard times are here again, and the necessity of
economy presses alike on the high and iowly. How
many mothers by making the matter subject of
daily thought and prayer might help their husbands
to pass through this season of trial with patience
and comfort and when in Gods good time the
! darkness shall clear away, find themselves none
| the poorer but richer than ever in faith in Gods
promises in love for each other, and in respect and
admiration for the brave, noble spirit the emergen-
oy has developed Keep the head and hands busy
and there will be no time for repiuing. Put your
trust in God, aud he has promised, q" will deliver
thee in six troubles, yes, in seven there shall! no
evil touch thee"