The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1866-05-23
WHOLE NO. sol.
WORKS AND FAITH"
Good morning, Mrs. Bright p
"Oh, good morning. Sister Morse VIII:

/
"Oh, good morning, Sister Morse what
stranger! Sit down."
9 | can't stop minute. How is Broth
er Morse?' ?''
:" Mr.. Morse is down with rheumatism
and ran over to see if you would let Will
lie ccme and cut me q little wood ?'
Mr.. Morse sick How long has he
been laid up ?''
| Near three weeks, and can't move him
self in bed. He suffers everything
How sorry am l thought hadn't
seen him out to meeting lately. But you
mustn't neglect the means of grace, sister.
You could run into conference for an hour
and leave him.
Not very WELL I think ought to stay
with him.
The Lord first and your husband af-
forwards. Your sister would run in for
while and sit with him.
She hasn't the time, and he likes to
have me with him."
. But the cross, sister Morse--you sho'd
do your duty
Yes, try to. think bear the cross
patiently"
But you must let your light shine
Oh ! such n refreshing meeting as we had
last night. If you could have been there !
l never had clearer evidence. Oh, it was
heavenly. Mr.. Parker was there last night.
He looked as though he didn't believe
there was such thing as religion. am
sure he's an infdel but we all prayed for
him. and hope even the chief of sinners
may be brought in. What dreadful thing
it is to be living without God in the world,
as he does -
II havn't kinder neighbor than he is,
sister Bright. He certainly acts as much
like christian as anybody l know Of
Mrs. Parker is the only neighbor that has
called on me since Mr.. Morse has been
sick, and she gave me some sewing to
do, or don't know how l could have got
along"
".Works, without faith'-'unless man
be born again 1t is these people who
depend upon their good works, that do so
much injury to the cause. 1t is making
infidels of all the young folks ~
Sometimes think the professors who
do no good works, are full as great stumb-
ling blocks as those who depend entirely
on their faith.''
"Why, Sister Morse! I'm afraid you're
backsliding.''
"Perhaps l am /; but different people see
things in different light
!" But there's only one true light, and if
we do not see it, it is because you are blin
ded by prejudice and bigotry.''
"True yet often think the very ones
who are the most bigoted, are the least
aware of it,
$50 do I. As I was saying to Sister
Jellyby last night, i fear Sister Morse
doesn't 20 to meeting enough But you'll
not be offended, will you ?''
" Not for your saying it to me but it is
scarcely kind to make such remark to
others, without trying to find out why
don't go. But good morning"
"Well, l know I'm plain spoken l
think it is my duty to be, and if people
take otfense, l can't help it. Willie can
cut some wood for you, if he will. will
ask him when he comes home from school.
uIuII-u mean 10 1ruve YOU So ivrs,
James; but Mrs. Bright got to talking
about religion
"And when she gets to talking, she
don't stop the same half hour, does she p
"Don't laugh at her. She is very de-
voted.n
~ know it, dear; so are Deacon Grov-
er, and Brother johnson, and Sister Will
lis and yet I'vei thought much since ly-
ing here of this sentimental religion
They talk great deal about bearing the
cross, doing the will of God coming out
from the world, attending the means of
grace feeling love Of God in their
hearts, but it means little. Oh wife,
fear it is not the religion of Him who went
about doing good. The cross they bear is
saying over few hackneyed phrases in a
social meeting--that is their shibboleth-
and the love Of God in their hearts depends
much, l fear, upon animal excitement
I" Why, James, how strange you talk
The fever has got into your head.
{" No, but my mind is clearer than it US
ed to be. have been thinking that the
Saviour did not practice such system OF
religion as this. have been thinking how
expressly he said, it was not those who
were the loudest in their pretensions that
should come into the kingdom, but those
who did His will-to feed the hungry, to
clothe the naked, forgive our enemies, and
care for the distressed. Annie, do not
complain because of my sickness
You never complain, dear"
81 try to be reconciled to His will. l
know that hunger and cold are upon our
threshold. If feel to murmur, it is to see
your poor hands earning our daily bread.
Oh wife, it is this that almost breaks my
heart"
"No, no, James. That is no hardship.
1t is that you suffer So"
$50 l have thought if the Lord spares
me, i can never be blind to poverty and
distress again. l do not blame our neigh
bors. They do not consider. Yet Mr..
Parker has seen our distress, and proved
almost good Samaritan. do not blame
our church members-they are now in the
midst of revival, and have enough to at
tend to; but l see my own duty clearer,
and believe God does not care so much
for gifts and crosses as for kindly deeds,
and silent charities Of love and good will"
"That is just what | wanted to say to
Mrs. Bright she is so set
at is thoughtlessness, dear"
Yes, but we have no right to be thot-
less. Do you remember The Lady's
Dream by Hood ? lie never was thought
less of the poor. / can never forget these
| lines
"I dressed as the mobiles dress,
In cloth of silver and gold,
With silks and satin, and costly furs,
In many an ample fold;
But l never remembered the naked limbs
| That froze with winters cold.
Tho wounds might have healed
The human sorrow and smart!
And yet it never was in my soul
| To play SO ill part;
| But evil is wrought by want of thought,
As well as want of heart"
~ think there was knock, Annie"
"Oh, it's Willie Bright. Did you come
to cut the wood p
mo, I'm going skating. Johnny Par
ker said he would. He was skating, but
he said he'd rather cut your wood. | came
to bring note from mother"
SISTER MORSE AS you are confined
at home, l thought it would be comfort
to you and your husband to have our
weekly prayer meeting appointed at your
house, if your husband is able. You know
the Bible says we should not neglect to as