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TABLE MONITOR

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 2, 1868

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 31, No. 24.

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TABLE MONITOR.

By J. Collier

[BRO. SMITH: The following lines are said to have been written by Hannah Brownson thirty-six years ago, who is now about eighty-seven years of age. She belongs to the Shaker Society. They study economy, and but little is wasted. The lines will repay attentive perusal, and I copy them entire. They are printed and hang in the dining room. J. COLLIER.]
“Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.” —John vi, 12.
Here, then, is the pattern which Jesus has set, And his good example we cannot forget, With thanks for his blessings his word we'll obey; But on this occasion we've something to say.
We wish to speak plainly, and use no deceit, We like to see fragments left wholesome and neat, To custom and fashion we make no pretense, Yet think we can tell what belongs to good sense.
What we deem good order we're willing to state; Eat hearty and decent, and clear out the plate, Be thankful to Heaven for what we receive, And not make a mixture or compound to leave.
We find of those bounties which Heaven does give, That some live to eat, and that some eat to live, That some think of nothing but pleasing the taste, And care very little how much they do waste.
Though Heaven has blessed us with plenty of food, Bread, butter, and honey and all that is good, We loathe to see mixtures where gentlefolks dine, Which scarcely look fit for the poultry or swine.
We often find left on the same china dish Meat, apple sauce, pickle, brown bread, and minced fish, Another replenished with butter and cheese, With pie, cake, and toast, perhaps, added to these.
Now if any virtue in this can be shown, By peasant, by lawyer, or king on the throne, We freely will forfeit whatever we've said, And call it a virtue to waste meat and bread.
Let none be offended at what we here say, We candidly ask you, Is that the best way? If not, lay such customs and fashions aside, And take this monitor henceforth for your guide.