Indiana American., 1854-01-06


terposed the woman. He's always
said he'd Kick the lrst Bible seller out
of his house that dared to cross his
door. And he'll do it. He's very
wicked and passionate sometimes. Do
sir, please go away. II / had any
money I'd take the Bible and hide it
from him; but haven't. Please don't
stay any longer. Don't begin to read.
Ii he comes in and finds you reading,
he'll be mad enough to kill you.
But, for all this, the colporteur sat
unmoved. AS the woman ceased
speaking, he commenced reading to
her the beautiful chapter from our
Lords sermon on the mount, begin
ming with-'Take heed that ye do not
your aims before men to be seen Of
them; otherwise you have no reward
of your Father which is in heaven. -
As he proceeded in allow, distinct, rev.
erential voice, the woman's agitation
gradually subsidized, and she leaned
forward listening more and more in
tently, until all thoughts and feelings
were absorbed in the holy words that
were filing her errs. When the col
porteur finished the chapter, he raised
his eyes to the face of the woman, and
saw that il was wet with tears. At
that instant form darkened the door.
II was the form of Dick Jones.
Hal he exclaimed in a harsh voice.
What's this? Who are your
Comprehending now the scene be-
fore him, Jones began swearing awful
ly, at the same time ordering the stran-
ger to leave his house, threatening to
kick him from the door, if he didn't
move instantly. The fearful wife step
ped between her husband and the OBJ
ject Of his wrath; but he swept her
aside roughly. and with curses.
Go, before | fling you into the roadP
And the strong man, every iron mus
Gle tense with anger. stood towering
above the strangers slender form, like
an eagle above its helpless prey.
How calm and fearless the stranger
sat. his mild. deep, almost spiritual
eyes. fixed on those Of his mad assail-
ant.
Bless the Lord, o my soul, and for
get not his benefits
Low. yet thrilling was the voice in
which these words found almost spon-
taneous utterance. He had taken no
forethought as to what he should say
Hither had he come at the prompting
OF duty, and now. when raging lion
was in'his path, he shrunk not back in
terror. butresting in diyi~e power,
moved steadily onward.
Clear out from here, l sayp The
voice Of Dick Jones was angry still; yet
something of its evil purpose was gone.
The Lord is my light and my sal
walton: whom shall fear? The Lord
is my strength and my life; Of whom
shall be alraidg
Neither loud nor in self-con6dence
was this spoken; else would il not have
falleen on the ear OF that evil.minded
man with so strange power.
why hove you come here to trouble
me? Go now-go. before | do you
harml said Dick Jones. greatly subdu-
ed in manner, and sinking in his chair
as he spoke.
The eolporteur. moved less by
thought than impulse, opened the BIZ
bic which had been closed on the en-
trance OF Jones, and commenced read
ing. All WAS still, now, save the low,
eloquent voice Of the stranger, as he
read from the holy book. His wife,
who had stood half paralyzed with
terror in a distant part Of the room,
whittier an impatient arm had flung
her, seeing the wonderful change thai
was passing, stole quietly 10 his side,
and, bending her head, even as his was
bent, listened with almost charmed at
ten ion to the Word Of Life, us readily
the man of God, who had penetrated
the dense wilderness in which they had
50 long dwelt.
Let us pray :,
How strange these words sounded
They seemed spoken as from the heav-
ems above them, and by voice they
could not disregard.
grief, yet earnest, and in a hitting
language, was the prayer, then tear
fully made, and responded to with
tears. When the Amen was said,
and the colporteur arose from his knees
what change had taken placel The
raging lion had become lamb. The
strong, wicked contemmer Of the good,
was gentle and teachable as little
child. .
Once more the colporteur read from
the holy Book. while the man aud his
wife listened with bent heads, and
earnest, Thoughtful faces.
Shall | leave you this Bible? said
he, raising ut length, and making a
motion to retire.
If you will sell It TO US, said Dicl
Jones.
Its yours on any terms you please
The price is low. have other goot
books; but this l. the best OF all, for /
Is Gods own book. in which he speaks
to his erring. unhappy children, say
ing to them, "Cumr unto me all y,
that labor anil are heavy laden. and
will give you rest" Read this hrst
my friends; read il in the morning. ~
soon rs you rise, aud in the evening
before you retire. Read IL together
aud II you feel nm impulse to pray,
kneel down, aud silently, you cannot
speak aloud, say over the words 0
that beautiful prayer the Saviour
taught his diseiplcs,-the prayer your
mothers taught you whom you were
innocent ehildren-"our Father, who
=. A. r -. A. f ~