Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-03-22
A Good idea.

Old Brother c. used to say ''that a fire
never could be kindled so long as the sticks were
scattered. You must get the chunks together
and then they will not only kindle but will re-
tain the heat. just so, he reasoned, you
must get the members of the church together
Let them scatter over the house, keeping out
OF the amen corner, and they will take fire
very slowly; and even when kindled it will soon
die out There is good sense in the suggestion.
When Christian takes seat near the door or
among the unceverted, the chilling associations
around him will keep cool all the warmth of
feeling the sermon may be likely to produce.
He will silence the rising 'amen and keep
back the gathering tear while the eye of the
ungody il upon him. Around the altar be
will not only feel more freedom, but the power
of sympathy will stir the deep fountains of his
heart A preacher of the Cincinnati Conference
was troubled by this disposition of his members
to get near the door. He adopted novel but
effectual experiment: Supplying himself With
some strips of plank, and with the assistance of
the sexton, nailed up all pews next to the door,
This brought the members up. As feeling
deepened the congregation increased, and, seat
by seat, the strips were taken off, and when the
house was filed his members were where he
wanted them around the altar IF members
knew how much these little things influence the
preacher they would not only be at the church,
-7ecos Christian Aduocofe.
APPOINTED TO Me "A voice from the sick
room says: 1t helped me immensely last night,
in my pain to remember the text: "Weari,
some nights are appointed unto me-" The idea
that they were not accident, no blunder of my
physician, but appointed by my best Friend,
this was strength TO me. When all were sleep
ing, and His eye saw my weariness, then | was
sure that for Infinitely wise and kind reasons
all was arranged and prepared for me. This
stilIed my soul. This Is our life-lesson. Pro-
perty takes wings-friends fail us-good schemes
mi>carry plans of usefulness are thwarted By
most unlooked-for nterventions-heath gives
out action gives place to suffering. Where we
werecheerfuy doing, we can now only wait Gods
will Darkness and doubt shut us in For many
days neither sun nor stars appear But all IS
we'll; these things are appointed unto me. Only
let US believe this-let calm faith recognize
the gracious Providence which shapes all our
ways, and we can then endure until the dawn
shall bring light and joy. ta tsa 90
MAKE Her FLY.-Old Aunt Dinah was
shouting colored saint of the city of Charleston,
who would sing at the top of her voice, and cry
glory !, above all the Test of the congregation.
| 1t was common at the missionary prayer-meet-
ings Of the colored people to take up collection
while singing the hymn
/ go Fly abroad, thou mighty GospelP' ---
in the midst of which Aunt Dinah always threw
her head back, shut her eyes. and sang away
Justify till the plate had passed The sable col
lector knew her habit. and one evening stopped
when he came to her, and said, Look ahsah,
/ Aunt U,Dah, you needn't be singin' "EIy a.
I broad, thou mighty Gospel If you doesn't
give nothin' to make her fly ~ --.-.. ~
t. FAcTs.-Alen are like buges-the more brass
they contain, the farther you can hear them. -
Women are like tulips the more modest and
retired they appear, the better you love them.
4 We knew an old bachelor once-a cynical iel-
low, who used to say that women were like
4 waiches-pretty enough to look at---sweet faces
! and delicate hands, but somewhat difficult to
regulate when once started a-goiug. - -