New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1853-04-16

the stranger. q.
.:.when was q little boy used to read 1t \
sometimes. But I am sure I thought there
were eleven commandments. Are you not mig .
taken about there being only ten ,"
Sister W lifted up her bands in unfeigned =
and exclaimed:
g Could any one believe il such ignorance Of
the Bble!" l.
Mr.. W. did not reply, but rose, and going to
one corner of the room where the good book lay i
upon the small stand, he put it on The table be
fore him, and opened at that portion IN which
the commandments are recorded.
''There!" he said, placing his finger upon
the proof of the strangers error. There look
for yourself" h
The man came round from his side of the ta-
BILE and looked over his shoulder" 7,
''Therel ten, dye see y II
Yes, it does say ten" replied the man !; sand
yet it seems to me there are eleven. I'm sure
have always thought So"
sDoesn' It say ten," inquired-Mr. W. with
marked impatience in his voice.
1t does, certainly"
+" Well, what more do you want Can't you
believe the Bible:"
'sOh yes, l believe the Bible; and yet, it |
strikes me, somehow, that there must be eleven |
commandments. Hasn't one been added some
where else 70
Now this was too much for brother and sister |
W. to hear. Such ignorance of sacred matters |
they felt to be objectionable. A long lecture
followed, in which the man was scolded- admon-
| ished, and threatened, with divine Indignation.
At its close he rnodestly asked if he might not
have the Bible to read for an hour or two before
retiring for the night. This request was granted
with more pleasure than any Of the preceding
ones.
Shortly after supper the man was conducted
to the little square room, accompanied by the
Bible. Before leaving him alone, Mr.. W. felt
| hal dnf him, al thipUs
, and he did so most earnestly for ten or fifteen
|, minutes But he could not see that his words
, made much impression, and he finally left his
guest, lamenting his obduracy and ignorance.
In the morning he came down, and meeting
Mr. W. asked him if ne would beso kind as to
, /, lend him razor, that he might remove his
, beard which did not give his face very attrac-
tive aspect His request was complied with
.sWe will have prayers in about ten minutes,
, said Mr. W. as he handed him the razor and
shaving box.
The man appeared, and behaved with due pro-
priety at family worship. After breakfast he
thanked the farmer and his wife for their hos
: pitality, and departing went on his journey
, Ten o'clock came but Mr. n had not arrived.
So Mr.. and Mrs. W. started for the meeting
house, not doubting that they would find him
there But they were disappointed. A goodly
number of people were inside the meeting house
and goodly number outside, but the minister
; had not arrived. 4f
. Where IS Mr. NJ" inquired dozen
voices, as a little crowd gathered around the
farmer.
ssHe hasn't come yet. Something has de.
: tanned him But still look for him-indeed, ]
: fully expected to find him here -,
The day was cold and Mr.. W., after becom
/, ing thoroughly chilled concluded to 60 in, an'
keep a good lookout for the minister from tn
q window near which he usually sat. Others
Al. f.ft ! ava m
the little meeting house was soon filled, and on
IS after another came dropping in The farmer
who turned towards the door each time 1t wa
IL opened, was little surprised to see his guest
re the previous night enter. and come slowly dow
the aisle, looking from side to side, as If searc
I'D ing for vacant seat, very few of which we
now left Still advancing he finally got with
the little enclosed altar, and, ascending TO q
an pulpit, took off his old overcoat and sat down.
BY this time Mr.. W. was at his side, and hs
nd his hand upon bis arm. ...-.
ssYou mustn't sit here. Come down, and
on will show you to seat" he said, in an excite
as tone.
"Thank you,' replied the man, in a yer
ID composed voice. ''It is very comfortable here.
y, And the man remained immovable.
Mr. w. feeling embarrassed, went down, IN
tending to get brother " official to assist hii
I'D in making forcible election of the man irol
ut the place be was desecratng. Immediatel
standing up at the desk, opened the hymn bool
ne His voice thrilled the finger ends of brother W
s. as in distinct and impressive manner he ga
id out the hymn beginning
" aHelp US to help each other, Lord,
er Each others cross to bear
Let each his friendly aid afford,
h. And feel a brothers. care.h
he The congregation rose after the stranger h
y, read the entire hymn, and had repeated t
ks first two lines for them to sing. Brother
lse usually started the tunes He tried this I'll
or but went off on a long metre tune. Diseoye
ys ing his mistake at the second word, he balk
and tried it again, but now he stumbled
Ike short metre. A musical brother here came
his aid and led off with tune that suited t
r measure in which the hymn was written.
au After singing, the congregation kneeled a
:, the minister-for no one doubted his real cha
Ne acter-addressed the Throne of Grace vi
10 much fervor and eoquence. The reading OF
IN chapter in the Bible succeeded Then there
hu Z deep pause throughout the room in aniicip
ne tion of the text, which the preacher prepared
~, announce.
tn Brother W. locked pale, and his hands a
ne knees trembled Sister WIS face was j
H. crimson, and her heart was beating SO loud Il
she wondered whether the sound was not he'
'fe by the sister who sat beside her There wa
re-, breathless silence. The dropping Of pin mi
ie' almost have been heard. Then the tine,
,ss phatic tones OF the preacher niiea the crow
@ @5ss' room.
bon "And a new commandment give unto
~ | that you love one another.
,el ie1 Brother W. had bent forward to listen,
leu now he sank back in his seat This was
Eleventh Commandment.
1o The sermon was deep, searching, yet al
~ tionate and impressive The preacher utte
ihu othing that could in the least wound the |
ne ther and sister, of whose hospitality he had 7
Us. taken but he said much that smote upon Il
ASK hearts and made them painfully conscious
ne thew had not shown as much kindness to
'er' stra pger as he had been entitled to receive
'os a.e the broad principle of humanity, But q
'oi. suffered from modification OF feeling To th
ea' that they should have treated the Presiding
:, der of the district after such a fashion
'S AZ deer,ly humiliating and the idea of the wi
M lha affair getting abroad, interfered sadly v
'sa their devotional feelings throughout the wi
IN period of service.
IN, mn At last the sermon was over, the ordina
eeu admi uistered and the benedction pronount
~ " Broth er W. did not know what it was best
nv NV him to do He never was more at loss In
ii' life Then Mr.. N. descended from his pul
ALL but he did not step forward to meet him.
49, could he do that Others gathered around
m lon' shook hands with him, but he still fingered
nc, held back
l.aN lAr Ia Il,