Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-12-06


noticed-there certainly " asn't a full congrega-
ton of modest mechanics in the Sestibule OF
which Hay spoke, and yet, who could tell how
many more were anxious and troubled on the
subject of their eternal welfare?
What q pity 1t was that those workingmen
who wished to repair the sanctuary, could not
have steady work aud full pay. II he had only
known all this early in the morning, he did not
known but he might have hired him At three
dollars, though, really, was a man to blame for
doing his best in the labor market? eye can
could almost declare he heard the excited car
penter's voice delivering that text. What had
brought that text into his head just now-he
had never thought Of it before:
The deacon rolled and tossed on his bed, and
the subject of his conversation with thelcarpen-
teri tormented him so he could not sleep. OF
one thing he was certain, and that was that the
reform of the church at Pawkin Centre was
not to be relied on In an extremity, and was
not hungering and thirsting after righteousness
an extreme case?-had he ever really known
many such? II Hay only had means, the prob
lem " ould afford its own solution. The good
deacon solemnly declared to himself that If Hay
could give good security he (the deacon) would
But even this ito the deacon) extraordinary
concession was unproductive OF sleep. 90 He
that giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord"
There he could hear the Indignant carpenter
was, to be sure! II 1t could only read the other
way-it didn't seem bit bu siness like the way
it stood And yet as the deacon questioned him
self there in the dark, he was forced to admit
that he had . very small balance-even Of
loans-to his credit in the hands OF the Lord
except IN his usual business man ner-as small q
loan as would be accepted on as extensive col
laterals as he could exact. oh, why did people
ever forsake the simple raiment of their fore
fathers, and robe themselves in garments grew
GUS IN price, and stumbling blocks in the paths
OF their fellow men?
But sleep failed to follow even this pious re-
necton' Suppose, only suppose that ne were
10 give-iend, that is-Hay money enough to
dress his family fit for church-think what
terrible lot Of money 1t would take! A com
mon neat suit for man would cost at asst
thirty dollars, an overcoat nearly twice as much
q suit, cloak and other necessities for his wife
would amount to as much more, and the chill
dren-oh, the thing couldn't be done for less
than two hundred and fifty dollars. OF course
it Was entirely out of the question-he had only
Still no sleep. He wished he hadn't spoken
with Hay about his soul-next time he would
mind his own business. He wished he hadn't
employed Hay. He wished the meeting for
consideration Of the needs Of the impeuitent had
never taken place. ono man can come to me
except the Father which sent me draw him
he wished he had remembered that passage and
| quoted II at the meeting-it WAS no light matter
| to interfere with the Almighty's plans.
- Blessed are the Inerciful, for they shall OBJ
tain mercy" Hah, Could that carpenter be
with such-such-tantalizing texts? They had
kept him awake, and at his time OF life rest.
less night was q serious matter. Suppose
| Very early the next morning the village doc
ter, returning from patients bedside, met the
| deacon with race which suggested to him the
| doctor was pious and imaginAtive) abraham
| on Mount Moriah," The village butcher, moro