Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1867-01-02
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1866.

eth much good and yet we are often
annoyed at the wide results of one
mans evil work in the church. One
may sow tares which a hundred can
not pluck out; and therefore does it
become Gods children to stay the en-
emy in his efforts.
He who aimed at the life of the Cos
pei Church in W was dead, while
he had name to live He scorned
many of the humble ones whose crown
is waiting them on high He hated
the humbling doctrines of the Cross,
and desired to see man glorifed and
exalted; he rebelled against the iron
bars which he chose to call the bond
of love which separate Gods chosen
and obedient ones from the world that
lieth in wickedness. He declared that
the millennium could never dawn till
all Christians were as one-by which
he meant that, for the sake of union,
right must yield to wrong-as if he
were of the number who loved and
longed for the appearing of Christ =
He began stealthily to SOW his poison
GUS seeds among the younger and
weaker of the flock, and when he saw
the first token of their taking root, he
grew bold, and began to cast them in
on the strong high hills. But here he
| found resistance; the soil which had
borne such rich harvests of grace re-
PEELED his seed from it's bosom; and he
came to the mad resolve to assail the
deacon, and try how he would receive
it. If he, with his piety, zeal and in
fuence, opened his bosom to it, the end
was easily attained The minister was
not worthy consideration in the mat
ter-ministers are 80 readily put out
of the way if they do not yield to un-
godliness. If he proved dead senti-
mel, he would not modest him; if alive
and jealous of his Masters honor, one
bullet would settle him for ever.
In pursuance of his liberal views
and his deep-laid plan, our valiant re-
former rode up and fastened his horse
before the unpretending dwelling of
Deacon Lee. Ushered into the neat
keeping room to await his coming
from the harvest, field, his restless spirit
was almost awed by the silence which
reigned there The tall clock in the
corner, with its ever sailing ship, tick
ed painfully loud; and even the buz-
zing of the few flies on the panes an
noyed him. He suffered much the
same oppression as do those who wait
long in a silent, darkened room the
coming of a minister to funeral He
wished for, and then dreaded the good
man, being not quiteasure of a warm
reception. He had just decided on a
clandestine flight, when the door open
ed and the deacon entered, as calm and
neat as if toll had never rufled his
spirits or soiled his garments. After
the usual greetings, and dead, awful
pause, the visitor began-think of the
wiles of Satan by lamenting the low
state of religion, asking the good man
why his church had enjoyed no revi
val for three or four years! What
cared he for Gods set time to visit
Zion? He was far more deeply int,
rested in the opening of new stage
road to the Summit, and in getting up
stock in the projected hotel there.
Now what do you think is the cause
of things being dull here? Do you
know?' he persisted in asking.
The deacon was not ready to give
his opinion, and, after little thought,
frankly answered, No, l don't
do you think the church is alive to
the work before themP
No, don't
do you think the minister fully re-
alizes the soIemnity of his work?'
| mo, | don't
| A twinkle was seen in the eye OF
this troubler in Zion, and, taking cour,
age, he asked.
Do you think Mr.. B. Uery ertraor-
dtnary man?
mo, don't
DO you think his sermon on sTheir
eyes were holden, anything wonder.
fully great?'
No, | don't
Making bold, after all this encour-
agement in monosyllables, be asked,
Then don't you think we had better
dismiss this man and hire another p
The old deacon started as if shot
with an arrow, and, in tone far loud
er than his wont, shouted, No, / don't.
Why cried the amazed visitor,
you agree with me in all | have said,
don't your
mo, don't
you talk 30 little, SIR replied the
guest, not little abashed, shat no
one can find out what you do mean
Il talked enough once replied the
old man, rising to his feet, for six
praying Christians but thirty years
ago, l got my heart humbled and my
tongue bridled, and ever since that
I've walked softly before God. Ithen
made vows solemn as eternity; and