Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-07-27

not yet arrived. SO Mr.. and Mrs. WaI'
started oir for the meeting house, No
doubling that they would find him there
Bat they were disappointed. A goodly
number OF people were inside the meet.
ing house, and u goodly number ut side
but the minister had not yet arrived.
"Where is Mr.. N-?" inquired a
dozen voices, as little crowd gathered
round the farmer.
"IIe hasn't come yet. Something has
detained him. But | still look for him
indeed | fully expected to find him here. y
The day was cold. aud Mr.. Wade. after
becoming thoroughly chilled, concluded d
to go in, and keep lookout for the mir-
/ ister from the window near which he
usually sat Others from the same can, e
followed bis example. and the litlle
meeting house was soon filled, and stil
one after another came dropping in. The
farmer. who turned toward the door each
time ii opened, was little surprised TO
see his guest OF The previous night enter,
and core slowly along the aisle, looking
from side to side as il in search of va
cant seat. very lew of which were now
lett. Sill advancing, he finally passed
within the little inclosed altar, and. a..
cendng to the pulpit, took of bis old
gray oyercoat aud sat down.
by tbs time Mr. Wade was by his side
and with hi' hand upon his arm.
You musat sit here. Come down,
and I'll show you a seat, he said ia an
excited tone
Thank you." returned the man. in
composed tone. ITS very comfortable
here
But YOU are in the pulpit! You ale
in the pulpit, siri'
30. never mind. 1t is very comfortable
here" And the man remained immova-
Bile.
Mr. Wade. feeling much embarrassed.
turned away aud went down, intending
10 get 4 brother "rllicial" in the church
to assist him in making iorcible election
OF the man from the place he Was desc.
Grating. Immediately upon his doing
however, the man arose and standing up
al the desk. opened the hymn book. His
voice thrilled to the very finger ends oI
Brother Wade. as in distinct and i'm
pgessiye manner he gave out the hymn
beginning;
"lIelp Us to help each other, Lord
Each other cross to bear;
Let each his friendly aid AFFORD
And feel a brothers care"
The congregation arose after the
stranger had read the entire hymn, and
he then repeated the two irsl lines Tor
then. TO sing. Brother Wade usually
started the tune. He tried it this time,
but went OFF on long metre tune. Dis
covering his mistake at the second word,
he baked, and tried it again, but now he
stumbled on short metre A musical
bl other here came 10 his aid and led OIL
with IN air that suited The measure in
which the hymn was written. Alter the
singing. the congregation kneeled. and
the minister, for no one doubted his real
character. addressed The Throne OF Grace
with fervor and eloquence. The reading
OF chapter from the Bible succeed to
those exercises Then there was deep
pause throughout ,he room in anticipation
OF the text, which the preacher prepared
OF announce.
Brother Wade looked pale. and his
hands and knees trembled; Sister Wade's
face was like crimson. and her heart was
beating so loud that she wondered wheth.
er the sound was not heard by the sister
who sat beside her. There waB breath
less silence. The dropping Of pin
might almost have been heard. Then
the emphatic tones OF the preacher filled
the room:
"a new commandment give unto
you. that 80 love one another"
Brother Wade had bent forward to
listen but he now sunk back in his seat.
This was the Eleventh Commandment! t!
The sermon was deeply searching. yet
affectionate and impressive the preach
er uttered nothing that could In the least
wound The brother and sister Of whose
hospitality he had partaken, but he said
much that smote upon their hearts, and
made them painfully conscious that they
had not shown as much kindness to the
stranger as he had been entitled TO re
ceive on the broad principles OF human
ity. But they suffered most from mOrti
fication OF feeling To think that they
should have treated The Presiding Elder OF
theDi trict after such fashion WAS deeply
humiliating and the idea OF the whole
affair getting abroad. interfered sadly
with their devotional feelings throughout
the whole period OF service.
At last the sermon was over, the ordi
nance administered, and the benediction
pronounced. Brother Wade did not
know what it was best for him to
do. He never was more at loss in his
life. Mr.. N descended from the
pulpit, but he did no, step forward to meet
him. How could he do that ? Others
gathered around and shook hands with
him, but he still fingered and held back
..yyho,o "a Rrotbar Wad.. pn he AZ