him than the
richest meat."

THE PARISH MEETING.

On the tenth of August, the vestry held another meeting, to consult
on the best method of further assisting the poor. The prospect of
abundant crops now cheered every heart. Farmer White, who had a mind
to be a little jocular with his desponding neighbors, said, "Well,
neighbor Jones, all the wheat was killed, I suppose! the barley is
all dead at the root!" Farmer Jones looked sheepish, and said, "To
be sure the crops had turned out better than he thought." "Then,"
said Dr. Shepherd, "let us learn to trust Providence another time;
let our experience of his past goodness strengthen our faith."

Among other things, they agreed to subscribe for a large quantity of
rice, which was to be sold out to the poor at a very low price, and
Mrs. White was so kind as to undertake the trouble of selling it.
After their day's work was over, all who wished to buy at these
reduced rates, were ordered to come to the farm on the Tuesday
evening: Dr. Shepherd dropped in at the same time, and when Mrs.
White had done weighing her rice, the Doctor spoke as follows:

"My honest friends, it has pleased God, for some wise end, to visit
this land with a scarcity, to which we have been but little
accustomed. There are some idle, evil-minded people, who are on the
watch for the public distresses; not that they may humble themselves
under the mighty hand of God (which is the true use to be made of
all troubles) but that they may benefit themselves by disturbing the
public peace. These people, by riot and drunkenness, double the evil
which they pretend to cure. Riot will complete our misfortunes;
while peace, industry, and good management, will go near to cure
them. Bread, to be sure, is uncommonly dear. Among the various ways
of making it cheaper, one is to reduce the quality of it, another to
lessen the quantity we consume. If we can not get enough of coarse
wheaten bread, let us make it of other grain. Or let us mix one half
of potatoes, and one half of wheat. This last is what I eat in my
own family; it is pleasant and wholesome. Our blessed Saviour ate
barley-bread, you know, as we are told in the last month's Sunday
reading of the Cheap Repository,[6] which I hope you have all heard,
as I desired the master of the Sunday School to read it just after
evening service, when I know many of the parents are apt to call in
at the school. This is a good custom, and one of those little books
shal