The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1876-09-14
DEACON II.

"The greatest of these is charity"
The morning meal was completed
and as Deacon H. took his Bible for the
usual devotions, he cast satisfied glance
around the room, and on the faces Of the
rosy-cheeked little group thatsurrounded
the table.
The chapter chosen WIS the thirteenth
of First Corinthians. Gath, hope, char
ity," read the deacon at its close, " but
the greatest of these is charity" Then
followed long prayer, in which the dea-
con, after giving the Lord various bits OF
information concerning matters Of which
it was quite essential He should be cog
INFANT, earnestly invoked the graces CT
the Spirit, and solicited help for the du-
ties of the day.
"Stop moment, husband" said Mrs.
H., as the deacon, at the close of the
exercise, was preparing to leave the
room.
~ forgot to mention that Mrs. Conner
called here yesterday. Shewants to know
if you can find a place in your store for
her eldest boy. Poor woman she is in
great distress. inferred from what she
said that her husband is drinking again;
and her boy has for weeks been yainly
seeking for work. I gave her some sew
ing, for which she seemed very CRATE
full, though she looks too feeble to do
much"
The complacent smile that had been
playing on the deacon's face suddenly
changed to a gloomy frOwn.
take that drunkard's boy into my
store, Mary?" wonder at the woman's
presumption. Like father, like SON. is
true saying; I'll have no vagabonds
around me-"
"But James is a bright, active boy,
husband, and is surrounded by the right
influences I doubt not he will do we'll,
Surely the family should not suffer for
the fathers faults. Could you have seen
the anxiety ofthe poor mother, you would
try in some way to aid her. 1t made my
heart ache to look at her sad, worn face.
DO, husband, consider the matter. I
cannot bear to tell her you will not try
her SON."
"Then do not go near her." was the
harsh reply. at is no place for such as
you; if they are suffering the town will
look out for them. I have enough to do
to attend to my own affairs. If you have
work for her, give it to her and pay her
for it. These drunkards are perfect
pests; it is useless trying to reform them.
Now, l presume Conner has signed the
pledge half dozen times, but what good
does it do ?"
CHARITY sufereth long, and is kind"
repeated Mrs. H., softly. 81 believe you
read that this morning and this verse
also: The greatest of these is charity
Do these passages mean anythingH"
"Mean anything? of course they do, "
angrily replied her husband; "but they
don't mean that should support every
drunkard's family. You women take
everything literally, and ? really believe
you'd give away your last penny; but
my money is my own, and shall use ii
as please" and shutting the door in a
very undeaconlike manner, the angry
man hastily left the house.
1.-THE silver and gold are mine; ! shall
require mine with usury," sadly muir
INJURED the wife.
Deacon II. and his wife were specimens
of that strange dissimilarity OF character
that in so often seen in married life. He
although an officer in the church, ant
active, 90 far as talking and praying wer'
concerned, was extremely penurious
giving to benevolent objects just as LITTLE
as was possible for one in his position.
With the poor and unfortunate he haC
no sympathy; he had been successful
why could not they be? How such
man ever became an officer in the churCI
one might well ask. But the fact Onl,