The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-03-04
anderson JnteQigenter.
The Story Of q Glass Door.

rkllUEla aUlt 9uAtMADklekt@.
The Story Of Glass Door.
Some time after the "panic" had brought
extreme poverty to many an humble home by
throwing out of employment many hundreds
of honest workers, young woman found her.
self IN utter destitution. Since the death OF
her parents, years before, she had managed, by
incessant industry and great frugality, to main,
tain herself respectfully, until the financial
crisis stopped her work and rendered useless
all her efforts Go find any labor whereby she
might earn her daily bread. One by one sne
had parted with her garments until taere re-
nained scarcely aenough to cover her ne decently,
and at last, in arrears for board, WITH no means
of payment, she had been terneo mo ene
streets of New York, homeless and trlendiess.
AN that bleak day she had wandered about
Never having asked for charity, she knew not
where nor how to apply. And now night had
fall-Sunday night-and she had no place Of
shelter. Pinched with cold, faint from hunger,
footcsore and weary, hope died within her. In
absolute desperation she resolved to put an end
TO the life which seemed to have no promise Of
rood for her. but was full of dark threatening,
Ike the angry sky overhead. As she went on
through a side street, gaining courage at each
step for the final plunge which would, she
thought end all her misery, her attention was
arrested by bright light shining out on the
obscurity. Mechanically moving on toward
the light she at length stood before church
whose outer doors were spread lnvltingly open
and whose inner door was OF sheet glass, SO
clear that the light from within streamed
throngh without obstruction, flooding the
pavement and shining far into the darkness
beyond. The incident was a slight check to
the mad impulse that urged her on self-destruc-
tion. The light seemed to promise warmth,
and she was so cold. Involuntarily she stepped
into the yestibule and drew near to the crystal
door through which she could see throngs OF
men and women who were listening to voice
whose tones reached her ear, but whose words
had no meaning for her dulled brain. But the
voice was earnest and kind; its tender modula-
tions soothed her; irresistibly attracted she
slipped noiselessly in and dropped into seat
in remote corner. For awhile her CREST
wretchedness prevented any comprehension OF
what the preacher was saying, but his voice
still soothed her, and gradually the tension OF
bitter feeling relaxed and she listened.
The preacher told of the wondrous love
which led the Majestic Son of God to leave the
brightness and glory of the Fathers House
and dwell among men. She heard how the
Divine One suffered from cold and hunger,
how He was forsaken of friends, and had not
where to lay His head. How he went about
doing good, and worn with travel, forgettul OF
the wants of His own humanity, stood, with
arms outstretched to the tolling men and wo-
men who gathered about Him, pleading with
eyes full Of tender, sympathizing love, Come
unto nse all ye that are weary and heavy laden,
and will give you rest" Then the preacher
went on to tell of the rest that remains tor the
people of God; he dwelt in tones of rapturous
faith on the mansions in the Fathers House
which the dear Saviour has gone to prepare for
His humble, patient followers and as his
wonderful voice bore the words of promise to
her heart, the ice which had gathered there
melted into blessed tears, and under the re-
freshing shower, new hope sprung up and bet.
ter impulses stirred within her. She prayed
for strength to struggle on and bear her dreary
life untifin Gods good time He should release
her. When the congregation dispersed she
went out again into the cold and darkness, but
with renewed courage and better resolves. In
her agitation she took no note OF the street she
was on and knew neither the name OF the
church nor of its pastor.
Several months later the girl met with q
christian woman, to whom she contided the sad
story of her former wretchedness and terrible
temptation She dwelt on her rescue in words OF
ter whose voice had induced her to give atten-
tion to the word of life. The church whose
open doors and cheerful light had drawn her
in and sheltered her until she gathered strength
to resist the tempter, she had never since been
able to find. Now she had regular employment
and was doing well-she longed earnestly to
make thank-ofering in the sacred editice
which had been instrumental in saving her.
Her new friend heard her story, and kindly
invited her to 60 with her to hear her pastor.
The invitation was gladly accepted, and they
went together. As they entered the vestibule,
the girl was struck with the familiar appear
ance of glass door, through which the light
was pouring. Agitated by the food of memo
ries which the sight brought up, she took seat
just as the preacher commenced speaking. At
once she recognized the voice, and turning to
her companion, she whispered, while happy
Bears coursed down her cheeks, ut is he u Is
he p .''--',
She was in the Church of the Strangers.-
The preacher was DR.. Deems. This was the
sanctuary wherein she had found refuge from
the storm of fercest temptation-his was the
voice that had charmed her back from an un-
timely end At last she had found what she
had so long sought, and her heart was filled
with Joy and thankfulness. Through Gods
great goodness she not only had comfortable
home with friends wherein to rest at the close
of each days labor, but now she has a Sunday
home where she goes to offer thanksgiving and
gain spiritual strength.
The story of the glass door, as it was told to
the writer of this simple story, is this: DR.:
Deems, whose benevolence and zeal are well
known, once remarked from the pulpit that he
whished the entrance to his Church might be
made as attractive as the entrances to the vari-
GUS places of amusement. He could see no
reason why the House of God should be dark
and uninviting, while the haunts Of Satan were
made so alluring. He said also that If ne had