Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1869-06-10
Thirty Seconds too Late.

| many who were absoiage aitheiSts.
Thirty Seconds too Late.
Rev. Mr.. Bell was always punctual. -
Whoever might be late at meeting, at the
funeral, or anywhere else, they all knew
that Bell would not. If called to attend
wedding, his foot was on the doorstep,
and his band on the bell handle when tho
clock was striking the hour. 1t was at
first quite annoying to his flock to 60, ac-
cordipg to their old habits, to a funeral
and meet i on the way tesshe grave. or
to GO to a wedding and find It al over be-
fore they thought of getting there. So
old Mr.. Slow waited on the minister to
ask him why be was always in such q
hurry, and so afraid Of being too late.
We'll, my good friend, will tell you,
and if, after hearing me, you do not
think I am about right in this thing, 1
will try to alter"
That's surely fair slowly said Mr..
Slow, as if afraid to commit himself.
when I was young man, and had
been preaching only few months. I vas
invited to 60 to distant mountain town
and preach to destitute people. went
for some weeks, and then returned home
for few days, promising to 60 back,
with out fail, the next Sunday. Well, I
had pleasant week among my kind re-
latives and was so much engaged that I
hardly thought Of my solemn duties till
Saturday returned, and then my sister
and beautiful friend of hers persuaded
me to 20 out little in tho little white
boat Cinderella, on our beautiful lake.
The day was fine, and Cinderella spun
and darted under my oars as if thing OF
life. When we got ashore found it two
o'clock, and I knew the cars started in
fifteen minutes
I left the ladies and ran home, and
caught up my carpet-bag, and ran for the
depot. I saw the cars had arrived. |
heard the bell ring With all my strength
[ ran. saw them start. I redoubled my
efforts, and got within fifteen feet of the
cars Oh! for thirty seconds more! But
too late. The next day VASES fair, still
Sunday. My mountain people gathering,
coming down from the glens aud follow
ing the silIs, filled the house of worship.
But there was no minister, and the hun
cry sheep had no shepherd to feed them
He was thirty seconds too late
There was a poor, old blind man who
lived four miles from the church, and sell
dom could be got to meeting. That day
he ate breakfast early, and his little grand
daughter led him all the way down the
mountain to the church. How weary, and
sad, and disappointed he was !! There was
no minister to speak to him. He was
thirty seconds too late!
There ives great gathering Of chill
dren to the Sunday School, and their lit
tie eyes glistened, for the minister had
promised to preach them "a little sermon
to-day; but he was not there. He was
thirty seconds too late!
There was sick child up one Of the
glens of the mountain, and she had been
inquiring all the week for her minister
She was so anxious to see him, and have
him pray with her. How she hailed the
day when he would be there But no
he was not there.
That poor, old blind man never came
to the church again. He was too feeble,
and never heard another sermon or pray
er, The minister was thirty second, toe
late!
That little girl was dead before l got
back, and I could only shed tears over
her corpse I had been thirty seconds
too late!
sOn my Bonded knee I asked Gods
forgiveness, and promised Him, that i
possible, would never be thirty seconds
too late.
And now, Mr.. Slow, am not abou
right in my punctuality?
Well, 1 guess-is-don't- look- quite-so-un
reasonable ght!
! Olive Logan. in her speech at tn