The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-11-17

had read the entire hymn, and had repcsicd
The first two lines for them 10 stag. Brother
w. usually started the tunes. He tried thi,
time, but went of on a long metre iuns.---
Discovering his mistake at The second wonl
he bolked aud tried il again, but now he
siumbled on short metre. AmnsicaI broth
or came 10 his aid and led'of with tune
that suited The measure in which the hymn
was written. .r...... J..-...'i ,Aj
After singing, The congregation kneeled,
and The minister - Tor no one conbted his
real character - addressed tho Throne ol
Grace with much fsrvor and sloquence.-
The reading Of chapter in the Bible soc.
ceeded. Then there was a deep pause
throughout The room in anticipation Of the
text, which the preacher prepared 10 an
n0unce. ..... ...r... LID 1f I.H
Brother w. looked pale, and his hands
and knees ,rembled. Sister WIS face
looked like crimson, and her heart WINS
beating so loud that she wondered whs,her
The sound was not heard BY the sisiet who
| sai beside her. There was bseaihlaxa 81.
lence. The dropping Of a pin might have
been heard. Then The fine, emphatic tones
Of the preacher filled The crowded room:
"And a ney commandment 1 gipe nnio you,
that you lore one another"
Brother w. had bent forward 10 listen,
bui now he had sunk back init his seat
This was the Eleventh Commandment.
The sermon was deep, searching, yet al.
feciiona,e and impressive. The preacher
uttered nothing that could In The least
wound The brother and sister OF whose hos.
pitali'y he had pariaken. but he said much
that smoie upon their hearts, and made
them painfully conscious that they had not
shown as much kindness 10 the stranger as
he had been entitled 10 receive OIL he broad
principles OF humanity. But they suffered
most rom modification OF fec ing. To think
tlia, they had treated The Presiding Elder Of
the district ailer such fashion was deeply
humiliaiing; and the idea Of The whole af.
fair getting abroad, in,erfered sadly with
their devotional feeling throughout The
whole period Of service. ...
Al last the sermon was over, the orJi.
nance administered, and the benediciion
pronounced. Brother w. did not know
what il was hes, for him TO do. Hs never
was more a, a loss in his lie. Then MIR.
N. descended from the pulpit, ba, he did
moi step forward 10 meet him. How could
he do Thai! Others gathered around and
shook hands with him, but still he fingered
and held back.
Where is brother ~ he at length
heard asked. II was the voice Of the min
ister.
"Here he is,n said one or two, opening
the way 10 where the farmer stood.
The preacher advanced, and catching his
hand. said I'D.
"How do you do, brother w., | am glad
TO see you. And where is sister W."
Sisler.,v. was brought forward, and the
preacher shook hands with them heartily,
while his face was lii up with smiles.
"l believe am 10 find home with you,"
he said, as If il was settled.
Before the still embarrassed brother and
sister could make reply, some one asked
"How came you ~ be detained so laio7
You were expected las, night. And where
is brother r."
"Broiher R. is sick" replied Mr.. NJ,
"and had 10 come alone. Five miles
from this my horse gave out, and had 10
come the rest of the way on foot. But
became so cold and weary that I found il
necessary 10 ask farmer not far from here
20 give me nights lodging. which he was
kind enough 10 do thought was sill
three miles of, but !, happened tha, was
very much nearer my journeys end than ]
supposed"
This explanation was satisfactory TO all
parties, and In due time the congregation
dispersed. and the presiding elder went
home with brother and sister w. One thing
is certain, however, the story never 60, out
for some years after The worthy brother and
sister had'passed from their labors, and il
was then related by Mr.. N. himself, who
was rather eccentric in his character, aud,
like numbers Of his ministerial brethren.
fond Of joke and given to relating good
stories.