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DETROIT, DECEMBER 8, 1885.

 

 

THE HOU§EIHIOL1D>===§uppIememm

 

 

HIS CARE.
Among so many, can He care?
Can special love be everywhereti
A myriad homes. a myriad ways,
And God’s eye over every place?

I asked. My soul bethought of this:
In just that very place of His
Where he hath put and keepeth you
God hath n l other thing to do.
«Mrs. Whitney.

I know not where His islands lift
Their fronded palms in air;
I only know I cannot drift
Beyond His love and care.
—Whittier.

——...—__

SOMETHING- FOR NOTHING.

 

The desire to receive without returning
an equivalent seems an inherent trait of
human nature. Thousands get their living
by trading on this well known frailty of
humanity, which makes lotteries and gift
enterprises, and all sorts of fraudulent
schemes possible; and which furnishes
the animus for pool-selling. betting and
gambling in stocks. Though the lesson
is told over and over again that in no
legitimate business can we obtain any-
thing without a fair return, the ranks of
the victims are always full; and the
swindler is certain that every new scheme
coined by his ingenious brain which
promises “ something for nothing” will
find its due proportion of dupes. The
appeal to avarice, one of mankind’s
meanest passions, rarely fails to elicit a
response; and many indeed are the
schemes to bait the hook, and many the
specious pleas to cover the intended
swindle. Curiosity, credulity and avarice
are skillfully excited, till the victim is
carried away with the idea that he can
“ make something.” The greenhorn sees
the street fakir roll up a ten dollar bill in
acake of soap and foolishly fancies he
will find it still there if he buys the soap.
Sound sense oughtto teach him that no
man will give aWay ten dollar bills in
that fashion in a legitimate business, but
the idea of something for nothing excites
him, his cupiditv is aroused, and he finds
himself not half so “ cute ” as he thought
he was. The steady, reliable farmer who
is offered a quantity of paint “ cheap to
introduce it,” or who allows a lightning
rod agent to “rod”his buildings for al—
most. nothing, on account of the benefi
cent efiect it is to have on the community,
finds the “ something for nothing” does
not come as he had expected, when the
innocent-looking “agreement” he signed
turns up as a note, discounted at the vil-

 

lage bank, which he must pay. And so
in every scheme which promises benefit
without adequate return we will find
somewhere that which makes us under—
stand man’s benevolence to his fellow man
is not measured by such gifts, and that
what we get for nothing is always worth
just about what it cost.

I often meet a woman carrying home a
basket of groceries and carefully protect-
ing one of the pasteboard picture cards
given away to purchasers of certain grades
of goods by certain of our city dealers.
She believes she has gained something
worth having because it was given her as
an inducement to purchase. She would
have called it a foolish waste of money to
buy it; and probably she does not think
she paid roundly for it. Either in the
weight or quality of the goods the dealer
made himself good; and so, for a paste—
boarl figure, worth perhaps a fraction of
acent at wholesale, and which is of no
earthly use to her, she paid car fare down
town, and accepted an inferior grade of
goods.

When the “picture card scheme" lost
its novelty, new inducements were offer-
ed; now the craze is for the majoiica
mugs, pitchers and plates “given” to
purchasers of tea and coffee. The crock-
ery is well enough in its way, it has at
least the merit of uselulne:s; the fallacy
lies in the fact that it is not “ given " but
is paid for in weight, quality or adultera-
ation of the goods bought. Next came
the scheme of increasing- sales by offering
a prize to the greatest consumer; and for
the sake of the painted tea-caddy, or the
pine box covered with leather-finished
paper to simulate a trunk, the foolish
woman buys package after package of
second or third rate goods, for which she
pays the price of a higher grade; and af—
ter she has fed her family on a choice de~
coction of willow leaves flavored with
tea, or an admixture of chicory and cofiee,
finds her neighbor has inves'ed more lili—
erally than she, and captures the coveted
prize, which is only a nuisance atterit is
Wun.

I went into a grocery the other day to
buy a five cent bar of soap. The grocer
laid out several sorts for my inspe ction.
one of which offered as a “ come buy me”
a rag yclept by courtesy a towel, and the
othera chance to win a prize by saving
the checks enclosed in the wrapper and
buying a lot more. The fat and jolly
Dutchman who served me frankly owned
that a modest soap in a brick—colored pa-
per, whichhad nothing but its reputation

 

for full weight and standard quality to
recommend it, was “vort all ’em” (con—
temptuously); at the same time admitting
that he made large sales to those who
bought the towel and the chance of the
gift, though the soap was inferior in
quality and light in weight. An appeal
to the “something for nothing ” instinct
again.

So strongly has this principle been im—
pressed upon me, that in this selfish
world none need expect to gain any good
thing without due return, that I will not
deal at stores which do business in that
fashion, nor put any faith whatever in
such schemes, however plausible and en—
ticing. I am content to get my money’s
worth; and am grown so suspicious
that no matter' how excellent an
article appears, I Will not buy if its price
is much below its actual value. I have
learned there is something wrong, invari—
ably, where the market is not the criterion
of value. And I am excellently well
suited with business conducted on this
basis. My neighbor goes bargain-hunting,
and prides herself on the “saving”etfected.
I never make a bargain; yet I dress better
than she on less money. I find that cheap
prices and cheap goods are intimately
associated.

There is a moral aspect to the question,
too. This “prize business "’ encourages
in us some of humanity's meanest charac-
teristics, such as avarice and cupidity,
which lead to fraud and dishonesty. It
fosters the impulse to over-reach a neigh-
bor in a bargain, and beyond ashadow of
doubt blunts the moral perceptions. The
law realizes the demoralizing influences
of lotteries, which are butintensit‘ications
of the prize—giving system, and to which
the latter leads. Safety, moral and
monetary, should lead us to avoid all
“something for nothing ” schemes.

..___ BE lTRIX.

DOMESTIC HELPS.

 

Rub a piece of Ivory soap lightly over
shirt bosoms that have been starched in
cold starch, and iron directly. You will
be surprised at the ease with which the
iron slips over them, and at the glossy
appearance afterironing.

Icover my holders with old stocking
tops; they are the nicest to handle and
last longest.

Egg-shells dried and broken up clean
bottles better than anything else.

A short time ago a lady told me to use
no soap in washing my mikpans; she
said that the soap on the tin acted on the

  


 

2

    

THE HOUSEHOLD.

 

milk and bleached the cream, making the
butter white. She said to wash them
through cold then hot water, and finally
scald them, but use no soap.

I would endorse Mrs. J. G.’scake recipe;
baked in a large, shallow dish, frosted
and cut in squares, the cake is very at—
tractivc.

I will give my way of freshening salt
pork for frying: First slice off all you
will need for the next day; then lay in a
crock of buttermilk; when ready to cook
it, take it out and lay in the frying pan
with enough cold milk and water (equal
parts) to cover it nicely; let it just come
to a boil, turning once or twice; take it
out, wipe the frying pan and fry.

LE ONE.
Bro Bmvsn.

—-———ow

KEEPING COMPANY.

 

 

A case has come to my knowledge
recently, where a young miss of 13 years
has been allowed by her parents to “ keep
company,” as it is technically expressed,
with ayouth of similarly tender years,
the license extending to the youthful pair
being leftto their own devices up to the
wee sma’ hours of Monday morning.

This may be, and I hope is, an ex-
ceptional case, but the fact of one such
happening calls for a protest against the
practice. There are plenty of opportu
nities afforded young people,-—not men-
tioning children—to enjoy each other’s
society and become acquainted, without
these long hours of midnight intimacy,
which, however innocent, affords 9. won
derful possibility for intrigue and in-
famy.

It is a fashion that many young ladies
protestingly follow, because it is the
fashion, although their good sense con
demns it. Yet they hardly know how to
frame arefusal to the young man who
finds favor in their eye, and to whom
they are indebted for many varied cour—
tesles and favors. They find his com-
pany pleasant, by his kind invitations
they enjoy rides, parties, theatres and
many other amusements, and naturally
fear that to deny his request for evening
calls, even if they are extended into the
morning, may cause him to discontinue
his attentions. In other words, he may
construe their refusal to mean, "You are
well enough as a beau, to be made useful
as a party hack, but you are not good
enough for special company;” and in
deference to his wishes and in fear of
misconstruction. the young lady ignores
her ideas of propriety, and, follows the
prevailing style.

In the case first cited, the young miss’s
mamma should have “kept company”
with the young people until a proper
hour for retiring, and then kindly sent
the boy home, and given her daughter
such advice as would have prevented a
recurrence of the affair. All mothers
make a grievous mistake who do not in
some way impress their daughters with
the teaching that such practice is wrong,
detrimental to their best interest, and not
to be allowed in any case, until they are
of an age to understand the responsibilty
they assume.

 

I do not wish to be understood as in—
terdicting young ladies from receiving
calls from young gentlemen at proper
times, and under proper circumstances.
Ido not believe our girls need the sur-
veillance enforced in continental Europe,
but [do know that the too great freedom
given to young and inexperienced girls
works mischief and woe untold. When
parents satisfy themselves that their
daughter is old and wise enough to stand
alone, and that the young man is an anael,
they may if they please, withdraw their
protecting care and let her gang her ain
gate, but I would suggest that as we read
of fallen angels, amorsel of common sense
would impel thoughtful persons, when
they give up the parlor to a pair of
lovers, to have an understanding that
the room is a part of mother’s house, and
as such subject to her personal entry at
any time; that the daughter is mother’s
girl, and subject to her supervision; and
that if the young man wishes to supercede
her claims, there isa legal way of ac-
complishing the object.

The freedom of intercourse between
young people in our country leaves no
excuse for this foolish fashion, and com—
mon sense and prudence condemn it. If
a gentleman thoughtlessly proposes such
company-keeping to a young lady, let her,
if his visit is prolonged beyond seemly
and proper hours, candidly excuse her-
self and dismiss him. If he is a gentle-
man, hc will admire her the more for

not, she is well quit of a simpleton or a
designing knave.

I do not hold to the opinion that in the
intercourse of young people the lady
confers all the honor and favor, that the
gentleman in ministering to her comfort
and pleasure deserves no recognition or
acknowledgement, yet Ido affirm that it
is the lady’s province to dictate terms and
observances in social intercourse; and
that a sense of propriety should govern
her decision, rather than the pleasing her
escort or company.

It may be very pleasingto a young man
to sit in a pleasant parlor fate or tete with‘
a pretty girl, and the Witching opportuni
ty tempts inclination, audacity wakens,
seclusion lures propriety from her watch,
and liberties are suggested that would
never be possible under proper regula—
uons.

Young lady, if a young man, no matter
how highly respected, wishes to " keep
company” with you, insure your own
self respect and compel his, by dictating
and adhering to terms of propriety, and

observance of decorum. A. L, L.
INGLESIDE.
-—-———-—-ooO~——-—-—-v
THE BOYS’ ROOM.

 

Generally speaking, the boys’ room in
the average home is not the “show”
room of the establishment. It is too
frequently an asylum for broken-backed
chairs and other furniture in astate of
chronicinvalidism, if indeed it contains
more than abed, achair or two, and a
few pegs to hang clothing. The girls’
room across. the hall may be furnished

 

with all the little refinements a tasteful

 

womanly decision of character, and if‘

girl loves to gather about her, but the
oldest carpet in the house is “good
enough for the boys’ room,” and no at-
tempt is made to beautify or make it
pleasant. I have known some homes
where the parlors and guest chambers
were handsomely furnished, and the sons
of the family slept in the smallest and
most inconvenient room in the house,
minus carpet and curtains, and so hot in
summer by reason of the pipe. from the
kitchen stove that they often slept in the
barn on the hay, rather than endure the
stifling atmosphere. Apartments there
were in plenty in their father’s house, but
it seemed they were too good for the
family, and were to be kept sacred for the
infrequent guest.

If I wanted a boy to become attached to
his home, I should make it comfortable
and pleasant for him. As one of the
greatest aids to this laudable endeavor I
should give him one of the best rooms in
the house, and furnish it just as well as
his sisters’ room, with only the difference
necessitated by difference in tastes of the
sexes.

I should encourage him to keep his
belongings there, and foster his pride in
its possession by putting up shelves
with pretty lambrequins for books and
all the miscellaneous matteraboy col—
lects. Nor would I scold over the “ lit—
ter” if he trought thither queer stones,
or any specimens which pleased him, no
matter how worthless they appeared in
my sight, nor murmur over marks on the
paper if he tacked pictures of dogs and
trotting horses on the walls. Any reason-
able concession to keep him at home and
contented there. His belongings should
be respected; and he should be at liberty
to take his boy friends to his room,
rather than to meet them at the barn or
down town.

It isa mistake to think boys do not
appreciate such attention to their com-
fort, or that they do not note the dif—
ference between the pains taken to
beautify their sisters’ room and the
neglect of their own. Believe me, it
pays, -in more senses than one, to en—
courage in a boy’s heart the sense of
ownership and privacy conveyed by giv-
ing him a room which he can call his
with pride. BEATBIX.

.____..._.__
REPLY AND QUERIES.

Mrs. J. P. P. asks if I am satisfied as to
quantity and quality of cream obtained
by the creamery process. I suppose if a
person obtains allthere is they ought to
be satisfied. I have frequently tested
the milk from which the cream has been
taken, by letting it stand in pans from
twelve to twenty-four hours, and there is
not enough of any consequence will rise,
provided the right temperature has been
kept while in the creamery. The quality
of the butter, I think, is much better;
there is no chance for any sour, or old
cream taste, no white specks, but a uni-
form sweetness. The cream for table use

is much to be preferred, being a smooth
rich liquid, of even quality throughout.
I want to ask Beatrix how far it is safe

 

to read novels or light reading for the

 


 

THE HOUSEHOLD

 
   

 

 

sake of cultivating a taste for something
more substantial? Will it always do this,
or will it go from “ light” to that which
is worse?

Perhaps every one’s experience in
reading Scott’s novels is not like mine.
I read “ lvanhoe” “once upona time,”
for the story part, skipped the historical
allusions and character descriptions, forl
did not understand them; after reading
Green’s Short History of England, \I re
readit, and the story was nothing to me;
but the portrayal of those old S rxon and
Norman characteristics and descriptions
of those feudal castles, with their retinue
of bondsmen, had a strange fascination.
I had nearly the same experience in
reading Charles Kingsley’s “ vaatia,”
and George Eliot’s "Romola.”

“Ben Hur” came to me as I was fin-
ishing up the study of the Byzantium era,
that time so full of the mixture and strife
of Riman, Greek, Jew and Christian
characters, and I read it with great eager-
ness.

So it remains a question with me
whether historical novels can be read with
profit without a knowledge of that
“‘ Somebody’s History of Civilization;”
then they can be taken as a diversion, or
in connection with it asa further elucida-
tion of the su'ijeet. C.

LITTLE PRAIRIE RONDE.

 

Our correspondent here touches upon

a point in an often discussed but yet-to-

be settled question—the influence of

fiction upon our taste for more solid

reading. I cannot assume to settle so

vexed aquestion for any but myself. but

as far as my own observation and experi-

ence goes, I can certainly aver that the
historical nOVcl deVelops in the mind a

desire to know more of the characters de-
lineated, and that history and biography

follow as a matter of course. But that this
must follow, invariably and inevitably, is
by no means to be assumed. Young peo-
ple,who are apt to read for the story’s sake,
unless guided and taught to find more
in the story than its romance, might af-
ford us an instance of “retrogressive
development,”ending possiblyin “ Peck’s
Bad Boy ;” though all my life I have found,
in myself and others, that the influence
of good fiction is to keep out the bad;
and that a mind which has known George
Eliot, Hawthorne, Thackeray, Dickens,
Scott, and kindred writers, turns in dis-
.gust from the silly, sentimental trash
which floods the country, nor can endure
the vapid platitudes of so-called “ moral
novelists” of the Mrs. Holmes school.

Now, put the historical novel into the

hands of boys and girls, and a majority
will read for the story’s sake. But let
parents or teacher point out to them the

reality of the characters, and weken inter-
est in their personality, and they are ready
to be directed to the history of contem—
poraneous events; thus ' the historical
novel becomes an important factor in lit-
erary work. We have to fix the reading
habit in young people, and direct and
supervise what they read, just as we train
them in other ways; though it really seems
(to me that many parents who exercise

 

 

very careful supervision over the food
and clothing of their children seem to
quite ignore the question of furnishing
them literature, or indeed, taking any
interest in what they do read. Yet it is
axiomatic that one of the most valuable
safeguards for the young is a taste for
good reading.

But to return to the point more directly
at issue: I advised those forming a read-
ing circle to “begin with a novel ” for
this reason: In many communities
where a reading circle would be most
beneficial there is slight knowledge of lit-
erature, and the little taste that exists is
uncultivated or cultivated in a wrong
direction. Perhaps there are some who
are prepared to take up earnest work and
carry it forward; perhaps all are alike
anxious for something better, but un-
trained in concentration of the mind up—
on serious study. The thing to do first,
it seems to me, is to awaken an interest
in books and literature; and all can
meet on common ground in the historical
novel, which one set will read at first per-
haps only for the story’s sake, and which
the other can use as the steppingostone to
something better. If a work of more
really instructive and beneficial character
be chosen, those who need the education
of the reading circle most are uninterest-
ed and discouraged. We must not, you
know, take a convalescent from literary
gruel to roast beef at one 3' imp.

[am confirmed in my opinion by the
following incident: Last Winter a young
lady friend wrote me very enthusiastical-
ly regarding the formation of a reading
circle in the little village where she lived,
and named with much pride the book
they were reading. It was a very valu-
able work to the close studentor thought-
ful reader, in its fine analysis and philo-
sophical research, but I could not help
murmuring “strong meat for babes,"
when [read its title. Six months later
my friend wrote me of the demise of the
“circle,” lamenting the want of literary
interest among her companions, and
quoted one of them as saying she was
“tired or deadissues.” I think I was
justified in the conclusion that those who
are accustomed to desultory, purposeless
reading cannot be put upon full rations
of more substantial mental pabulum im~
mediately, but must be led up gradually
to the literary heights. My advice in the
HOUSEHOLD of November 10th was in-
tended more particularly for the new be-
ginners, and after this explanation, I
hope “ C.” will regard it as justifiable; if
not, I shall be happy, both as “Editor”
and “ Beatrix,” to hear from her further
on the subject. BEATRIX.

-——-¢ov————

CHRISTMAS GIFI‘S .

 

Colored glass globes, in amber, pale
pink, rose and blue, are in much favor at
the moment. Where gas is not used.
there are lovely tinted shades to use over
kerosene lamps, and which shed a soft
glow through the room. These shades
are of glass or porcelain, but a very pretty
effect can be produced by the tissue paper
shades, made of the French paper, which

 

 

     

is much superior to the American for
fancy work. Take a sheet of the French
tissue paper, and fold it into asquare,
clipping the corners to make it into a
circle, then fold it diagonally into a
triangle and so, over and over, from the
centre of the paper outward, till it can be
folded no more; open it, and taking it at
the centre, draw it through the closed
hand like a handkerchief. Continue
this some time, opening the paper fre-
quently to prevent its always folding in
the same lines. It will look like a piece
of fine crinkled crape. Make afringe for
the shade by folding straight strips of
tissue paper into horizontal folds, and
crinkling as above. then fringe with the
scissors, and gum to the circumference of
the shade. Placed over acommon por-
celain shade, it gives a very soft, pretty
light. Another style is made by taking
a piece of pink tarleton about an eighth of
ayard wide when doubled, gathering to
fit over a shade, and sewing to the bottom
a strip of oriental lace about a finger deep,
slightly fulling it. Sew another strip
round the top, to fall over the tarleton
and the seam where the lower frill of
lace is sewed to it, and over the seam
where the lace is joined, put a few loose
loops of narrow ribbon.

Acorrespondent of an exchange says:
“Take any of the pretty colored laces
that are now so much used, and run
through the headingabit of fine Wire,
making it the size of the lower edge
of your lamp shade. Have the lace
about three inches in width, and do not
really full 1t; only sufficiently to have it
hang easily. Then put on one side of the
shade a large paper rose, and your
ordinary lamp will become a thing of
beauty. Have a ribbon pleating to cover
the wire. Let the ribbon be about an
inch and a half in width. Cut the
corded edge of the ribbon off, and fringe
out each edge, leaving aeentre strip of
about a half inch on which, to sew it.”

A little pail, to hold candies, pretty to
help decorate a Christmas tree, is made
of two pieces of card board, measuring three
inches in height, three and three-quarters
at the top and two and a quarter at the
bottom. Cut the top in scallops. Sew
or gum the two halves together, cover
with fancy paper, after sewing in acir-
ele cut to fit the bottom; ornament with
fancy figures or scrap pictures; wind 3
bit of wire with embroidery silk and
fasten to each side for a handle.

One of the prettiest whisk broom hold-
ers we have ever seen, was in shape like
an artist’s palette, only considerably
larger, covered with wine colored plush.
The “pocket,” or piece which received
the whisk was also of plush, embroidered
with white daisies, and open at the bot-
tom to allow the small pearlhandled
whisk to be drawn out there, after being
put in at the top. A. bow of wine colored
satin ribbon was placed at the thumbhole
of the palette. The pocket conceals the
whisk except the handle and the part
immediately above it. This design can
be duplicated in cheaper materials. A
pretty variation could be made by using
a bit of brocaded ribbon for the pocket;

  


 

   

4:

 
 

    

THE' HOUSEHOLD.

 

or it might be made of satin and orna-
mented with a ribbon bow.

The fashionable substitute for the
much abused tidy is the chair bolster, or
head-rest, an oblong cushion hung‘ to the
chair by ribbons in such a position that
it will fit the back of the neck comfort
ably. It is made of silk, satin, velvet or
plush, plain or decorated to suit the
fancy, and any 'one who has “gumption ”
enough to make a cushion can manage its
manufacture. It is edged with silk cord
and suspended by two bands of ribbon of
two colors, intertwined, while a bow of
the two colors is placed at one corner
where the ribbons are attached, and an—
other at the corner diagonally opposite.

A slipper pocket, handy to fasten to a
closet door, is made of an oblong piece
of canvas or heavy linen, on which is
laid a narrower and longer strip. fastened
to it at the proper intervals to admit a
pair of slippers. The upper edge of the
strip is bound with braid, and after it is
secured to the back the back and front
are then bound together around the
edge with the braid. This pocket can be
made of enameled cloth, and is a great
convenience to keep slippers and rub-
bers from being “ kicked round.”

This seems the reign of bags; aside from
the dainty confections—as the French
would say—of lace and satin in which my
lady keeps her handkerchief and her silk
knitting, there are laundry and duster
bags, made of heavy brown linen, oblong
in shape, the laundry bag twice as deep
as it is wide, provided with a flap like
that of an envelope. They are ornamen-
ed with etchings in Kensington stitch or
India ink; and afavorite design repre—
sents a girl hanging out clothes, with the
basket near her.

If you can get hold of a pair of little
Dutch shoes—woodcn—about four inches
long, you have “the very latest” in
match holders, after you have gilded
them and fastened them against a velvet
covered circle of pasteboard ornamented
with the inevitable bow. It may be well
to say here that in decorating anything
one cannot go amiss in using ribbons; in
every conceivable color and all widths,
they are used to ornament every con—
ceivable article of furniture or fancy
work.

Something else that is “ new” is
etching 0n wood with hot steel points.
Take a whitewood frame or panel and
lightly skezch on it any design you fancy.
Take several crochet needles of various
sizes, break off the hooks, and sharpen on
a grindstone. Heat these points, and
with them trace your design, burning it
in. The finer points are used for the
more delicate tracing.

_______....______
“ BONNIE SCOTLAND’S ”
MENTS.

SEN TI-

 

Old Schorl Teacher, please pardon me,
for upon consulting your article of Oct.
13th, I find I have made a mistake in the
term advise. However, it was not inten-
tional, for I Wuuld not like to get into a
dispute with those who are older and
more experienced than myself. Now,

 

please don’t infer from my article of Nov.
3d that I ask for money. Oh, no! I could
not do that, having, like yourself, earned
my own living before I was married. But,
as I said before, we regard the purse as
ours, and exercise our judgment in using
the money. Now, I well know that " hope
deferred maketh the heart sick.” I realized
that to the fullest extent three years ago
when we lost our wheat crop; that, with
other bad luck, has deferred our new
house until some time in the future; but
I will endeavor to not get heart‘sick, re—
membering my duty to comfort another
heart, the owner of which has to take
the blunt of misfortune.

Neither is a new house the only motive
that prompts me to save and economize.
The other is a nobler and higher motive—
that we may be able to give our Sweet lit-
tle boy a good education and a start in
life when he reaches his majority.

The reason why I expected to be called
a fogy, was because our own mode of
living contrasted so strongly with the
views expressed by some of our sister
Householders; but I am convinced that if
more would try it (keeping only one
purse), there would be more unity be-
tween husband and wife; and more real,

 

 

pure love. BONNIE SCOTLAND.
MASON.
4o.“—
SCRAPS.
PEOPLE often speak of a country

schoolhouse as the type of desolation and
barrenness. Pray what do you call the
average rural village church, with its
weatherbeaten paint, its faded green
blinds or curtainless windows, staining
in a waste of weeds and tangled grass, its
steep steps pointing ableak and uncer-
tain way to heaven? Its architecture is
hideous; it is a barn provided with a
steeple, big windows and a doorstep.
Lightning frequently strikes it, as if it
took umbrage at its ugliness. There—-
ligion taught therein may be beautiful,
but the outward and visible sign—the
building—is not. Why not invoke the
aid of trees and vines to mitigate the
nakedness, and make the house of the
Lord beautiful and attractive!' How
charming the picture of rural churches
in Great Britain, with the clinging ivy
draping their towers in its green livery,
and the great elms and yew trees whose
planting has long ago been forgotten,
standing sentinel in the church-yard!
How much of the beauty is due to these
simple accessories, which cost nothing
but the planting! A happy reform in
rural church architecture is beginning,
and beauty of form and outline and color
is giVen the new churches, even though
of wood. But the old ones—what can we
do with them! We have not the ivy of
England, but we have our American
substitute, the Virginia creeper, with its
glorious autumnal foliage; let us plant it
about these desolate buildings and make
it charitably hide their architectural sins,
and add groups of evergreens and maples.
It is a pretty custom to plant memorial
trees in the churchyard; trees set by
friends of the dead in their memory. Few
can give a stained glass window, an altar

 

 

  
    

service, or a baptismal font, but any of‘
us might plant a tree. A little church I
know of has beautiful evergreens lining

the path from the street to its door, but
unfortunately none were' planted at the

back or sides of the building, and the

efl’ect is somewhat that of a picture with-

out a background, an error which should

be avoided.

 

IN some notes of travel given some
time ago by A. L. L., she mentioneda
village of one thousand inhabitants
which had six churches. Almost im-~
mediately came the thought “ How can
so many churches be supported in so
small a town?" If every man, woman
and child in the village attended church,
the average would be but about 167 to a
church. But there is always a percentage
in every community who neither attend
church, nor contribute to its support.
There are others whose limited means
prevent them from being generous; others
who have the means but not the disposi-
tion. Probably the delinquents in the
village are more than made up by the
farmers who would drive in on Sundays,
though in many rural neighborhoods
Sunday is literally a “day of rest."
\Vhat a meagre support the six ministers
in charge must have! It is agenerous
estimate to allow $700 yearly for in-
surance, repairs, expenses of running the
church, and salary. Out of the minister’s
share of this he must maintain his
family, present a respectable appearance
to the world, entertain his fellow clergy-
men, and all travelers who claim kinship
of faith and his hospitality, buy books
for study, and meet the demands upon
his charity because he is a clergyman.
Heaven is undoubtedly avery desirable
place to get in, but from the salaries paid
a good many ministers, one cannot help
concluding that those traveling that road
find it necessary to economize in the cost
of a guide; while those who preach must
find it good to dwell upon the wise
Brahmin’s saying: “Not if thy work be
worth a date stone’s skin shall it be over-
past!" in their struggles to make two
ends meet in this life. The altar in each
church is to an universal God. all look
for salvation through the same Redeemer,
all read from the Same Word; the funda—
mental doctrines of Christianity are
everywhere the same, unchangeable,
steadfast. Why not then take the bread
oflife from the big loaf instead of in-
sisting that it shall be served in morsels
from denominational plates? Why not
fewer churches, het'er paid and con—
sequently more efficient ministers. and
stronger, more vigorous and influential
organizations? B.

____...___.

THE HOUSEHOLD Editor would be glad
to receive for publication directions for
making Christmas gifts, and useful
recipes. The recipes furnished to the
HOUSEHOLD have been highly commended
by IhCSL‘. who have tried them, and we
will be glad to receive more.

BUY an oblong dishpan with a division
through the centre, one part to wash
dishes in, the other to drain them in. It
is the bandiest thing out; saves so much
slop and dripping of water.