Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1852-12-09

4 euVtouSh19 cnllieu, concluded to 2,
IN and keep good lookout for the ministe
from the window near which he usually sal
others, from the same cause, followed his ey
ample, and the little meeting house was 500
nlled, and one after another came droppinl
In The farmer, who turned toward the doc
each time it opened, was little surprised /
see his guest of the previous night enter. an,
come slowly along the aisles, looking from
side to side, as if in search of vacant seat
very few of which were now left. Still ad
yanclng, he finally gos within the little en-
closed altar, and ascending to the pulpit
took off his old grey overcoat and sat down
By this time Mr., w was at his side, auc
had his hand upon his arm.
You mustn't sit here Come down ana
1 will show you seat, he said in an excited
| tone
Thank you, returned the man in a com
posed voice. Il is very comfortable here
And the man remained impoyable.
Mr.. W feeling embarrassed, went down
intending to get brother Official to assist
him in making a foreible election Of the man
from the place he was deseerating. Imme-
diately upon his doing so, however, the man
rose, and standing up at The desk, opened
the hynn.b6ok. His voice thrilled to the
finger ends Of brother w. as, in q distinct
and impressive manner, he gave out the
hymn beginning
Help US to help each other, Lord,
Each others cross to bear;
Leteach. his friendly aid afford,
And feel brothers care
I The congregation rose after the stranger
nad read the entlrehymn, and had Iepeated
the first two lines for them to sing Broth.
er W. usually started the tunes He tried
this.time, but went off on a long metre tune.
Discovering his mistake at the second word.
he baked and tried it again, but now he
stumbledton short metre A musical broth.
CT here came to Bis aid, and led off with an
air that suited tho measure in which the
hymn was written
After singing; tho congregation kneolod,
reading Of chapter In tho Bible succeeded
Then there was deep pause throughout tho
room In anticipation Of the text, which the
preacher prepared to announce,
Brother w, looked pale, and his hands
and knees trembled. Sister WIS face was
like crimson, and Ter heart was beating So
loud that she wondered whether the sound
was not heard by the sister who sat beside
her. There was breathless silence. The
dropping Of pin might almost have been
heard. Then the fine, emphatic tones Of the
preacher filled the crowded room.
"And a nel0 Commandment 4 gtpc unto
You. that ne lore one Gnothsr."
Brother w had bent forward to listen,
but he now sank back in hisseat This-was
the ElerentA Commandment.
The sermon was deep, searching, yet af-
fecticnate and impressive, The preacher ut
tered nothing that could in the least wound
the brother and sister whose hospitality he
had partaken, but he said much that smote
upon their hearts, and made them painfully
conscious that they had not shown as muih
kindness to the stranger as lie had been en-
titled to receive on the broad principle of
humanity But they suffered most from
modification of feeling To think that they
should have treated the Presiding Elder of
the District after such fashion, was deeply
humiliating and the idea Of the whole affair
getting abroad, interferred sadly with their
devotional feelings throughout the whole
period of service.
At last the sermon was over, the ordl-
nance administered, and the benedictlon pro-
nounced. Brother w. did not know what
was best for him now to do. lie never was
more at loss in his life Then Mr. N de
scended from the pulpit but he did net steF
forward to meet him. How could he dc
that Il? Others gathered around and SHOOK
hands with him, but still he fingered and
held back
where is brother VIZ he at length heard
asked. It was the voice of the minister.
Here he is said one o. two, opening the
way to where the farmer stood
The preacher advanced, and, catching his
hand, said
How do you do, brother W, ! am GLAD
| Ia see yau And where is sister w 2
/ Sister w was brought forward, and Thu
preacher shook hands with them heartily
while, lis face was lit up with smiles.
| i believe am to find home with You
he said, as if it were settled.
Before the still embarrassed brother ant
sister could reply. some one asked
How came you to be detained so ate2 Yol
were expected last night. And where i
/ brother RI
/ Brother r. is sick replied Mr.. H., AM
/ had to come alone Five miles from thi
nv horse gave out, and had to come th
rest Of my way on foot But ! became S
cold and weary that / found it necessary t
ask a farmer not far from here to give me
nights lodging, which he was kind enoug
to do thought / was still three miles Of
but it happened that as7mRch nearer N
| journeys end than ] supposed
This explanation was satisfactory to q
parties. and. in due time, the congregatio
| dispersed, aud the Presiding Elder wei
home With brother and sister ". One thin
i certain, however, the story never got o.
fer some years after the worthy brother an
sister had passed from their labOrs, and
was then related BY MI. n himself, who "
rather eccentric in his character, and, u
! numbers Of bis ministerial brethren, fond
! ! good joke, and given to relating got
stories.
/ ~ d tape worm, measuring two hu
bred feet long, was taken from . child