Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-07-22
NO. 172.
Calls aud Sketehes.
THE GOLDEN RULE.
By sYLyANUs COBB, JR.

wasn't that glorious sermon?"
So spoke Mr.. Moses Draper, on a clear. j
cool Sabbath afternoon, as be emerged
from the church with his wife leaning uu-
on his arm. And others beside Moses
Draper had been deeply moved by the
sermon. A new minister had preached
a man with large heart and noble impul-
ses-a man who was not only up with the
times, but who was able and willing to
lead society upward and onward,--a man
who not only had in his soul to feel, but
who had the power of language to inn
press his feelings upon others.
wasn't it glorious sermon a'' repeat
ed MIR. Draper, this time speaking to a
friend who was passing.
"Grand!' was the response.
Aye-it had been grand. for it had been
an able, eloquent application of the Gold
en- Rule to the affairs of every day life,
reproduction, with no change save that
of language, of some of The simplest
teachings of the Savior. - I
What did you think it? Wasn't it
the best thing you have heard this long
time ?' Mr.. Draper spoke once more to
his wife. ~ 4essv
Let us talk OF it when we get home,"
she said. gMEs @s aags@'
Moses Draper gazed down upon his
wife in astonishment. Was it possible
that she could find fault with such SER
mon? Would she dare to do such thing
as to crliicise the speech of such man as
Rev. George Gordon? lie did not believe
it.
"Seih, what a good man he must be ~
Janet TwombTy said this, rs she and
her husband walked away from the house
nf b,,Y,
BILE, and had sat in an extreme corner OF
old sexton had given them a seat free
''What makes you think sop returned
Seth.
because bad man couldn't have
preached such Il sermon as that
Seth Twombly shook his head
"Ah. Janet, we can't always tell
what dwelleih in The heart by that which
droppeth from the lips. Yet / am
willing to confess the minister impressed
me iavorably. | think he is good
man. But how many were there in
that church to-day who will go home and
praise the sermon, and never feel one
heart-throb of new impulse to duty from
its teachings? | tell you Janet, am Al
most tired of this church-going. it opens
to me so much hypocrisy; and were it not
that the old sexton is our friend, and has
really troubled himself to provide for MS a
seat, | think | would never go into that
church again"
''But our children, Seth ?"
Eyes, yes, Janet you have me there
For their sakes we ought to do something
Before another Sabbath we may not he
here"
"Uow. Seth o'i
"We may have no home in that time,
Janet"
''Oh, Seth, you don't think so. Surely
Mr. Draper will not turn you from the
house we have occupied so long. You
will tell him how sick our children have
been. How weak you have been since
you got hurt In the summer No, no,
Moses Draper is not heartless enough to
do that"
'Ah, Janet, Moses Draper is much like
other men. He wants to make the best
use that he can of his property. lam not
only behindhand in my rent, but he has
many offers for the house better than |
have ever done. It's all up with US,
fear. | have received notice to quit
mo, no, Seth. Mrs. Draper will help
us. Think how tenderly | nursed her
when she was sick. She will not see us
suffer, if she can helpit. She is good and
kind"
$50 she is, Janet think she is true
Christian woman; but we will not beg
II Mr.. Draper chooses to cast us forth, we
will GO"
The fire glowed cheeriully in the we'll
filled CRATE and Moses Draper seemed to
feel particularly comfortable after he had
removed his overcOat and drawn his large
easy chair up to the soft rug that was
spread upon the hearth.
"Now, my little woman he said, as
his wife came in and took seat near him
II should like to know what you thought
of Mr.. Gordon's sermon this afternoon ?"
Perhaps you would be disappointed if
| should tell you replied Mrs. Draper
She was delicate; but in her way she was
strong.
Mr.. Draper laughed.
Upon my soul, Louisa, you are se-
rous.''
Il feel serious, Moses"
WAS it the sermon made you feel so ?'
1.-The sermon gave me serious thoughts.
"Well, will you let me have some of
them p
I'm the first place, Moses, | thought
what a waste of eloquent language it was"
"What, Louisa A waste F! don't un.
derstand you aeuoag
II mean, my husband, that the preach
ing of such sermons as that TO our society
is melancholy waste of time and labor;
and measure the waste by the value OF
the thing thrown away. Mr. Gordon's
sermon was beautiful production in its
way; and his subject was most forcibly il
lustrated and eloquntly presented. but
what good can such sermons do herep''
"Louia " called Mr. Draper, in utter
astonishment.
81 mean what l say" continued the
mild-faced woman. The effect of such
preaching can only be TO make hypoerites"
Louisa Are you crazy ?"
"Not at all, Moses"
"Why, bless my soul never heard
such talk. No need of snch preaching!
No good from it Make hypocrites! My