The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1869-02-18

queFahle. I at last grew really troubl-
cd about il. There seemed to be vein
in his character that argued no good.
One day ! saw this kneelipg child 10
store. With the sight Of It came the !
thought of how might use il. u
bought the figure, aud did not show Il
to Eddie until be was about going to
bed. The effect was all had hoped TO
produce. He looked at il for some
moments earnestly, then dropped on
his little knees, clasped his white hands,
and murmured the prayer had so long
and so vaiDly stroveto make him repeat"
"Tears were in the eyes Of Mrs.
Eldridge as she uttered the closing
words, 1 felt that she was true mother,
and loved her children with high and
holy love. And now le. me describe
you picture that strongly contrasts
with this. Not far from Mrs. Eldridgc
resides lady who Is remarkable for her
devotion TO the church, aud, / am COM
pclled TO say, want Of charity towards
all who happen to differ with her
more particularly IL the difference in.
wolves church matters. Il was after
sundown; still, being in the neighbor-
hood, embraced the oppartanity to
make a call On ringing the bell,
heard immediately . ola.,er of feet
down the stairs aud along the passage,
accompanied by children's voices, loud
and boisterous. 1t was some time be.
fore the door was opened, for each Of
thefour children, wishing to perform
the Office, resiated the others attempts
to admit the visitor. Angry acclama-
tions, rude optsries, i'll names and strug.
giles for the advantage continued, until
the cook, attracted from the kitchen BY
the noise, arrived at the scene Of con.
teutiou, and, after jerking the children
SO roughly as to set the iva Youngest
crying, swung it open, and l entered.
On gaining the parlor, | asked for the
mother Of these children.
'She isn't at home !" said the cook.
"She's gone to church" said the old.
est Of the children.
II wish she'd stay at home" re.
marked the cook in a very disrespectful
way, and with a manner that showed
her TO be much fietted in her mind
IT'S Mary's day out, and she knows l
can't do anything with the children.
Such children l never saw They don't
mind word you say, aud quarrel so
among themselves, that it makes me
sick to hear them"
"At this moment headless doll
struck against tho side Of my neck. Il
had been thrown by one child at au.
other missing her aim, she gave me
the benefit Of her evil intention. At
this the cook lost oil patience, aud seiz.
Ing the offending little one, boxed her
souDdly before | could interfere. The
language used by that child as she es-
capped from the cooks hands, was shock.
ing. u made my aesh creep9
did understand you TO say that
your mother had gone to church 7" /
asked Of the Oldest
"Yes ma'am," was answered. "She's
been every day this week. There's q
p.otracted meeting"
"Giye me that book r. screamed q
child, at this moment. CHANGING across
the room, saw two Of the little ones
contending for possession of large
family Bible, which lay upon small
table. Before l could reach them, for
l started forward, from On impulse Of
the moment, the table was thrown over,
the marble top broken, and the cover
torn from the sacred volume.
The fa,e of Mrs. Andrews became
instantly Of a deep crimson. Not seem
ing TO notice this, her friend continued:
"As the table fell, it came within an
inch Of striking another child on the
head, who had seated himself on the
floor. Had it done so, fractured skull,
perhaps instant death, would have been
the consequence.
Mrs. Andrews caught her breath, aud
grew very pale The other continued:
"ln the midst Of the confusion that
followed, the father came home "
where Is your mother ?" he asked
| OF one OF the children f,N
''Gone to church." was replied.
~ dear !" ! can hear his voice now,
with its tone Of hopelessnsss This
church going mania Is dreadful. I tell
my wife that it is all wrong That her
best service TO God is to bring up her
children In the love Of what is good aud
true--in flial obedience and frstsrnal
affection. But il avails not"
"And now, Mrs. Andrews" con.
tinued the lady, not in the least appear.
ing 70 notice the distress and confusion
Of her over-pious friend, whom she had
placed upon the rack. aWhen God
comes to make up his jewels, and says
to Mrs. Eldridge, and also 10 this mother
who thought more Of church going
than Of her precious little ones. "Where
are the children | gave yoar' which do
you think will be mpss likely TO say,
Here they are, not one j. lost ?"
Have ] not clearly shown you that
even church going may be perverted
into ap evilg That piety may attain an
ordinary growth, while charity is dead
ct the rootf Spiritual pride, vain
conceit Of superior goodness because Sf
the observance Of certain forms ard
ceremopies, il the error into which too
many devout religiooists fall. But God
sees not % man seeth. He looks into
the heart aud judges his creatures By
the motives that rule them"
And, % she said this she rose, the
silent and rebuked Mrs. Andrews,
whose own picture had been drawn,
followed her down 70 the gay drawing