The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1853-03-01

and repeated very accurately two or three ver-
ses of a new camp meeting hymn, that was just
then very popular. - --
Snow let us hear you say the command
ments, Charley spoke up the mother, well
pleased at her child's performance. ..
And Charley repeated them with the aid OF
little prompting.
slow many commandments are there? ask
cd tho father. sz5tl ia 5 .t
Tho child hesitated, and then looking up at
the stranger, near whom he sat innocently-
How many are there's?
The man thought for some moments, and said
ns if in doubt. oa1
Eleven, are there not?
Elevenr CALCULATED Mrs. W. looking towards
tho man with nnfeigned surprise
'Elevenv said her husband, with more rebuke
than astonishment in his voice. is It possible
sir, that You do not know how many command
ments there arei How many are there Char
ley? Come, tell mo-you know, of course
Ten replied the child.
Right, my son. returned Mr.. W., looking
with smile Of approval. Right There is
not child of his age within ten miles of here
who can't tell you there are ton commandments.
Did you ever read tho Bible, sirY addressing
the stranger.
when was little boy used to read it
sometimes. But am sure thought there
were eleven commandments. Arc you not mis-
taken there not being only ten?
Sister w. lifted her hands in unfeigncd as
tonishment. and exclaimed.
Gould any one believe il! Such ignorance
Of the Bible!
Mr.. w. did not reply, but he rose, and going
to one corner of the room where tho'good book
lay upon a small mahogany stand, brought it
to the table, and pushing away is plate, cup
and saucer. laid the volume before him, and
opened to that portion in which the command
ments are recorded.
'Therer he said, placing his finger upon the
proof of the strangers error There, look for
yourself
The man came around from his side Of the
table and looked over the farmers shoulder.
There! Ten, dye seer
yes, it does say ten,' replied the man; 'and
yet it seems to me there are eleven. I'm sure
have always thought so'
Doesn't it say ten there? inquired Mr.. Wade,
with marked impatience in his voice.
1T docs. certainly
.Well, what more do you want? Can't you
believe the Bible"
%, yes, believe tho Bible; and yet il strikes
me somehow that there must be eleven COM
mandmcnts. Hasn't one been added some
where clsef
Now this was too much for Brother and Sis
ter w. to bear. Such ignorance of sacred
matters they felt objectionable. A long lee
ture fol owed; in which the man was scolded,
admonshed and threatened with divine indig-
nation. At its close he modestly asked if he
might not have the Bible to read an hour or
two before retireing for the night. This re-
quest was granted with more pleasure than 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. eelt
IL his duty TO cxhort him on spiritual things,
and ho did so most earnestly for ten or fifteon
minutes. But he could not see that his words
made much impression, and he finally left his
guest, lamcnting his ignorance and obduracy.
In the morning he came down. and meeting
Mr.. w. asked him if he would be so kind as to
lend him a razor. that he might remove his
beard, which did not give his face very attrac-
tive appearance. His request was complied
with.
we will have family prayer in about ten
minutes, said Mr. W., as he handed him the
razor and shaving box.
The man appeared, and behaved with due
propriety at family worship. After breakfast
he thanked the farmer and his wife for their
hospitality, and, departing, went on his jour
ney.
Ten o'clock came, but Mr.. n. had not yet
arrived. So Mr.. and Mrs. w. started for the
meeting house, not doubling that they would
find him there. But they were disappointed.
A goodly number of people we're inside tho
meeting house, and goodly number outside;
but tho minister had not yet arrived.
where is Mr. NJ inquired dozen vol
ces, as little crowd gathered around the far
mer.
lie hasn't como yet Something has detain-
ed him. But / still look for him-indeed, 1
fully expected him here
Tho day was cold, and Mr.. W., after becom-
ing thoroughly chilled, concluded to go in and
keep good lookout for the minister from the
window near which he usually sat. Others,
from tho same cause followed his example, and
the little meeting house was soon filed, and one
after another came dropping in. The farmer,
who turned toward the door each time It open
cd, was little surprised to SEQ his guest of the
previous night enter, and come slowly along
the aisle, looking from side to side, as if in
search of vacant seat, very few of which were
now left. Still advancing, he finally got with
in the little enclosed altar, and ascending to
the pulpit, took Off his old grey overcoat and
sat down.
BY this time Mr. w. was at his side, and had
his hand upon his arm.
You mustn't sit here Como down and I will
show you seat he said in an excited tonc.
Thank you, returned the man in compos-
ed voice, 1T is very comfortable here. And
the man remined immovable.
Mr.. w. feeling embarrassed, went down. in
tending to got brother official to assist him
in making forcblc election of the man from
the place he was desocrating. Immediately
upon his doing so, however, the man rose, and
standing up at the desk, opened the hymn book.
His voice thrilled 20 the finger ends of brother
W., as in distinct and impressive manner, he
gave out the hymn beginning
Help us to holp each other, Lord,
Each others cross to bear;
Let each his friendly aid afford,
And feel a brothers care.
The congregation rose after the stranger had
read the entire hymn. and had repeated the
first two lines for them to sing. Brother w.
usually started the tunes. Ho tried this time,