Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-06-16
Piety for Company.

ners, and words some go still farther
and keep all their piety for them. Not
bit OF it do they use for themselves or
their families it is never seen on ordi-
nary occasions, and SO is perhaps all the
nicer, and there is all the more of it for
company. Enough of it there surely is,
if not surfeit. The visitor is treated to
it with liberaity like that of tue West
ern housewife, who, on being told by her
minister that she might put less molasses
in his tea, insisted that if she made it all
molasses it wouldn't be too good for him
1t was Mrs. Simpkin's parlor, a nice,
reli2ious-looking parlor, very. A mon
strous great Bible, bound in fine morocco
and gold, with a purple ribbon book
mark yard long, dangling white cruci.
fixes, lay alone in seeming sacredness on
the marble centre-tab'e. TREE certifi-
Gates of lfe-membership in religious soci-
cites hung in heavy gilt frames upon the
walls. No idle ornaments or vain curi>
osities on the what.not, but Divine songs
and sacred hymns, Baxters Saints Rest.
Taylor's Holy Living and Dying, Howe's
Dlessedness of the Righteous-books of
exalted piety, that bear the readers like
angel wings to the very gates Of the
beautiful city. Beside them were choice
piles of magazines, labelled, "Guide to
Holiness"
The air of the place was still and
solemn, almost holy. Deacon Wilson
felt that it was, while be waited there for
Mrs. Simpkns. He took up a number
of the Guide to Holiness and opened
it Perfect love- Heaven Below
Living below our Privilege he read in
the table of contents.
what a godly woman sister Simpkins
is = he said to himself, and LAID the mag
azine in place, feeling himself so far from
holiness that the very titles of the arti-
cles were discouraging to him.
Im glad there are some good people,
he added, looking around the room, at
the 'paror Bible and the life,member-
ship. Yes, sister Simpkins is a very de-
voted woman
Mrs. Simpkins entered with sweet and
placid countenance, and grave, subdued
manner, like one just leaving chapel ser
vice or closet meditation, and in low,
chastened tones welcomed the deacon,
and assured him of her high estimate Of
the privilege of Christian communion, OF
the strength she derived from Christian
association, the comfort from Christian
Sympathy.
The deacon had barely time to make
suitable response, when she inquired
And what is the state of Zion, dea-
con? What say the watchmen on her
wall?
The question was general, and the dea-
con was safe in the answer. Few 60 in
at her gates
and why? Why is it, exclaimed
Mrs. Simpkins with an air of touching
solicitude. why must we wait so long
to see the Spirit of God poured out ?
Surely the fault is in ourselves. The
church is living far below her duty and
her privilege. Too many of us are not
sanclifed, one with the Lord. Too many
of Us still cling to the world, still have
appetite for the fesh-pots of Egypt. We
have come out from the world aud we
must not look back
o. groaned the good deacon, Il feel
sometime that am the Achan in the
camp of Israel, the Jonah that hinders the
ship
DO you eyer read the Guide to Hol-
ness ?" asked Mrs. Simpkins, when she
had fully delivered her opinions on the
condition and duty Of the church.
The deacon confessed that he had not.
1T is an excellent work, deacon said
Mrs. Simpkins, with slightly increased
warmth of manner. i can recommend
it with entire confidence. | have taken
it three years, and find it very spiritual
Perhaps you would like to read it. Take
this last number if you would
Thank you, sister, not to-day. Some
other time, perhaps
The work strenuously urges the doc.
trine of entire sanctifcation that it is
the privilege of all Christians. What do
you think Of it deacon ? questioned Mrs.
Simpkins.
%, don't know sighed the good dea-
con. The command is, BE ye holy as
I am holy but, o dear sometimes am
afraid that | haven't even been justified,
that after ALL shall be a castaway."
we need faith, faith to lay bold on
the promises, urged the unwaverng Mrs.
Simpkins.
But my life is so poor, sister, groan-
ed the deacon. i come so far short in
everything. The thing | would not do.
| do, and what l would, | do not
4 believe it is our privilege to live
above SIM began Mrs. Simpkins, when
the door opened, and smutty uncared-
for little fellow, of half dozen years put
in his head.
May ! have an apple, motber?'
Yes, darling, you may take one off the
bureau. Now don't disturb mother any
more =
Il believe it is our blessed privilege
resumed Mrs. Simpkins, TO live above
sin, to have Christ dwelling in us contin.
ually, filling us with perfect love, raising
US above all doubts and fears,and strength.
ening US with the hope of glory
"A blessed privilege ? echoed the dea
con. and rose to 90.
Il thank you for this visit, deacon,
said Mrs. Simpkins. i think it is good
for the saints TO sneak often one TO an