The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-05-16

| Ou 1ntlSU cACuSC, DeUCOl L llll, Jul
coming on such day, but we thought
it best that some explanations should
be made before our people again gather
| for evening service"
"Oh, know what you mean, guess,
Elder Cummins-you want to know
why L kept yesterday for Sunday, in
stead of to-day, don't you Z Well, the
fact was, the deacon was away, and l
made a discount of the days somehow,
and was so busy settling, ana so yes
terday was my Sunday, though L was
in bed all day with a sick headache,
and so didn't find out my mistake at
all Then, wasn't it funny? l got up
at five this morning, and went to wash
ing, thinking it was Monday, and I'd
got all through before the deacon came
home; declare I've laughed so about
it that 1 fairly ache" And the little
feminine offender laughed again, and
so contagiously that the three laughed
with her.
"I've been so good, though, elder, the
rest of the day, I'm sure the Lord has
forgiven nte for it." And she smiled so
sweetly that both were completely won.
When they rose to 60 Deacon Frost
said to Deacon Flint:
1t is our missionary meeting to-
night, brother, and little explanation
from you there will settle the matter
right 1 guess"
Up spoke the feminine again.
"Oh, yes, Deacon Frost, Samuel was
intending to explain, tonight. 1 only
wish that 1 could be there; but 1 can't
leave the babies"
eff you have no objections, Mrs.
Flint" replied the deacon, "my Susie
will come and stay with them, and let
you go; she will be SO delighted"
"Oh, thank you, that would be so
nice; you are very kind :" And she
bowed them out Of the door.
"Ain't you glad you married me,
Samuel, instead of Abigail Howe 7" said
the small woman, smiling up to him.
No matter what the deacon said er
did.
AS she was setting the tea-table, that
night, she broke into another merry
laugh.
whats the matter now, dear" said
the deacon.
90, Samuel, was thinking how you
must have looked, coming up the street
with your Sunday walk, hands clasped
solemnly behind you, till you got to the
gate and saw me hanging up your shirt
in the front yard, then how suddenly
you broke into your weekday stride !'
Ha b.! ha ! and they laught d together till
the tears came.
Supper over, dishes washed, baby
asleep, Susie telling stories to the twins,
the deacon and his wife started for
church. Don't be too humble, Sam
uel," she whispered at the door; "work
in a little spice, if you can, and I'll
tread on your corns when it's time to
stop"
The meeting was opened as usual /;
then Brother Dean was called upon for
a report from India.
A little wiry, black-eyed man rose
and said Brethren, it's not much use
reporting from heather countries, when
right in our midst deacons travel on
Sunday, and deacons' wives wash and
hang out clothes before our very eyes as
we walk to the house of God / call
for an explanation"
Deacon Flint tried to rise, but some
body pulled him down, and the next
minute the whole congregation was
electrified by the sound Of sweet,
womanly voice, saying: "Now, o Lord,
stablish thy word unto thy servant, so
shall l have wherewith to answer him
that reproacheth me, for l trust in thy
word" Then turning to him, she said /:
"My brother, you shall have an expla-
nation" and in simple, almost child
like way, she told the story of her mis-
take, and the deacon's delay, then ad-
ded My brother, judge nothing be-
fore the time until the Lord come. For
we shall all stand before the Judgment
seat of Christ, and every one shall
give an account of himself to God; let
us not, therefore, judge one another any
morep Your sleep, my brother, will be
sweet tonight, if your heart is at peace
with God, as mine is for Il am per-
suaded that neither life nor death, nor
angels, nor principalities, nor powers,
nor things present, nor things to come,
nor height, nor depth, nor another crea-
ture shall be able to separate me from
the love of God which is in Christ Jesus
our Lord"
The next morning Rev. Henry Brown
and his wife called very unceremonious-
| ly on the new deacon. "We knew it
wouldn't be washing-day here" laughed
Mrs. Brown, 50 we came here early.
could hardly wait to get here to talk
over that funny affair. Henry said af-
ter you sat down, last night, he felt like
inviting you into the pulpit"
"Why, bless me !" said the astonished
little body, blushing ike girl, 81 felt
so ashamed of myself after got under
the deacon's coat Twas the first time
1 ever spoke in my life"
81 hope it won't be the last, Mrs.
Flint, if you always speak as much to
the purpose as you did last night" said
the minister, coming forward.
YES" broke in his wife, Henry said
he'd advocate women's speaking in
meeting after this"
at was capital" said Mr.. Brown, re-
crossing the room to where the deacon
stood. "That's what Joe Dean has
needed for long time-a good reproof
but no one had the courage to give it tc
him. Your little wife has done Just
what the whole parish will thank hel
for"
Everybody I've seen since is just en-.
raptured with you," said his wife to the
laughing heroine, who had been re-
hearsing all the funny passages to her
You have made yourself famous lool
sout for plenty of calls this week !"
"Oh, vol" she said, tossing the baby
the washing is done, and l shall hav,
plenty of time!"