The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-08-24

short conference was held as 10 whether il
would do rot to invite the stranger TO take
supper. IL was true they had given hin
IA much bread and bacon an he could eat
but then, as he WAS going to stay all night
it looked too inhosPitable to sit down tc
the table and not to ask him to join them,
So, making virtue Of necessity, he was
kindly asked to come to supper-an invi.
tation which he did not decline. Grace
was said over the meal by Mr.. w., and
the coffee poured out, the bread helped,
and the meat carved.
There was fine little boy six years old
at the table, who had been frightened up
and dressed in his best, in order to grace
the minister's reception. Charles was full
Of talk, and the parents felt mutual
pride in showing him of, oven To their
humble guest, who noticed him particular
ly, though he had not much to say
"Come, Charley" said Mr.. W., after the
meal was over, and he sat leaning back in
his chair, 'can't you repeat the pretty
hymn mamma learned you last Sunday I"
Charley started off without further invi-
tation, and repeated very accurately two
or three verses of new camp meeting
hymn, that was just then very popular.
"Now let us hear you say the command
ments. Charley" spoke up the mother,
well pleased at her chid's performance.
And Charley repeated them with the
aid Of little prompting.
SHOW many commandments are tlere |"
asked the father.
The child hesitatcd, and then, looking
up at the stranger, near whom be sat, said,
innocently-
"How many are there 7"
The man thought for some moments,
and said, as if in doubt:
"EleveD, are there not ~
Eleven" CALCULATED Mrs. w. in un-
feiencd surprise
"Elcven" I" said her husband, with more
rcbuke than nstonishmcnt in his voice
"ls it possible, sir, thet you do not know
how many commandments there arc2-
How many are there, Charley? Come,
tell me--you know, OF course"
''rcu," replied the child.
"Righl, my SON." returned Mr.. W., look
inc with Il smile Of approval on the child.
"Right here isn't child Of bis ngc in ten
miles who can't tell you there are ten com
mandmcnts. Did YOU ever read the Bible,
sir| addressing the stranger
"Whcn | was a little boy / uscl to read
it sometimes. But / am sure thought
there werc eleven commandments. Are
you not mistaken about there being only
ten2"
Sister w. lifted her hands in unfcigned
astonishment, and exclaimed:
"Could any ono believe it such ignor-
ance of the B'ble!m
Mr.. w. did not reply, but rose, and go
ing to one corner of the room where the
good book lay upon the small stand, he
put it on the table before him, and opened
at that portion in which the command.
ments are recorded.
"There" he said, placing his finger up.
on theproof 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 seo?"
ayes it does say ter" replied the man !;
"and yet it seems to mo there are eleven.
I'm sure have always thought So"
doesn't it say ten hcrel' inquired Mr..
W., with marked mpalience in his voice."
at docs, certainly"
well, what more do you wanta Can't
you believe the Bibles"
20, yes, believe the Bible, and yet,
it strikes me somehow, there must be elev-
en- commandments. Hasn't one been ad-
ded somewhere else 2"
Now this was too much for brother and
sister w. to hear. Such ignorance Of sa-
cred matters they felt to be unpardonable.
A long lecture followed, in which the man
was scolded, admonished, and threatened,
with divine indignation. Al its close he
modcstly asked if he might not have the
Bible to read for an hoar or two before re-
tiring for the night This request was
granted with more pleasure than any of
the preceding ones.
Shortly after supper the man was con-
Quoted to the little square room, accom-
panied by the Bible. Before leaving him
alone, Mr.. w. felt it to be his duty to ex
hort him to spiritual things, and he did SO
hoNt ediueotIy LOT ten OF UltceH minutes -
But he could not see that his words made
much impression, and he finally left his
guest, lamenting his obduracy and igno-
rance.
ain the morning he came down, and
meeting Mr.. w. asked him if he would be
so kind rs to lend him razor, that he
might remove his beard, which did not give
his face very attractive aspect. His re-
quest was complied with.
"We will have prayers in about ten min
utes," said Mr.. w., as he handed him the
razor and shaving box.
The man appeared and behaved W tn
due propriety at family worship. After
breakfast he thanked the farmer and his
wife for their hospitality, 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 doubling that they
would find him there But they were dis
appointed. A goody number Of people
were inside the meeting house, and a good
ly number outside, bat the minister had
not arrived.
"Where is Mr.. N-w inquired dos.
epvoices, as little crowd gathered around