Smyrna times., 1877-09-26
SMYRNA DEL, WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON SEPTEMBER 90 1871

was granted with more pleasure than any
of the preceding ones.
Shortly after supper, the man was con-
Quoted to little square room, accom-
panied by the Bible. Before leaving him
alone, Mr.. W. felt it to be his duty to
exhOrt him to spiritual things, and he did
so most earnestly for ten or fifteen minutes.
But he could not see that his words made
very much impression, and he finally left
his guest, lamenting his obduracy and
Ignorance.
In the morning he came down, and
meeting Mr.. W., asked him if he would be
so kind as to lend him razor, that he
might remove his beard, which did not give
his face very attractive aspect. His re-
quest was granted.
" We will have prayers in about ten
minutes" said Mr.. W., as he handed him
the razor and shaving box.
lie appeared and behaved with due pro-
prlety at family worship. After breakfast
he thanked the farmer and his wife for
their hospitality, and departing, went OH
his journey.
Ten o'clock came, but Mr.. n. had not
arrived. SO Mr.. and Mrs. w. started for
Westinghouse not doubling that they
would find him there. But they were
disappointed. \ goodly number of peo.
pie were inside the meeting house, and a
goodly number outside, but the minister
had not arrived.
"Where is Mr.. N-?" INQUIRED a
dozen voices as little crowd gathered
around the farmer.
lie hasn't come yet. Something must
have detained him. But l will look for
hlm--lndced l fully expected to find him
here"
The day was cold, and Mr.. W., after
becoming thoroughly chilled, concluded to
go in and keep lookout for the minister
from the window near which he usually sat.
Others, from the same cause, followed his
example, and the little meeting house was
soon filled, and one after another came
dropping in. The farmer, who turned
toward the door each time it was opened,
was q little surprised to see his guest of the
previous evening enter, and come slowly
down the aisle, looking from side to side,
as II he We're searching for a vacant seat,
very lew OF which were now left Still
advancing, hc finally got within the little
enclosed altar, and ascending to the pulpit,
took off his old gray oyercoat and sat
down.
BY this time Mr. w. was at his side. and
-NeNe 80 ''''AINA u 'Oii iIlS arm.
You mustn't sit here. Come down and
VIII show you seat said he in an ex-
cited tone
THANK you. replied the man in a very
composed voice 1T is verv comfortable
here" And the man remained immoya
ble.
Mr.. W., feeling embarrassed, went down.
intending to get a brother "oficiar' to
assist him in making forcible election of
the man from the place he was desecrating
Immediately upon his doing so, however,
the man rose, and standing up at the desk,
opened the hymn book. His voice thrilled
to the finger ends of brother W., as in a
distinct and remarkably impressive man.
her, he gave out the hymn beginning:
Help US to help each other, Lord,
Each others cross to bear;
Let each his daily aid afford
And feel II brothers care
The entire congregation arose after the
stranger had read the entire hymn, and
had repeated the first two lines for them to
sing. Brother W. usually started the tunes.
lie tried this time but went off on long
metre tune. Discovering his mistake at
the second word, he balked and tried it
again, but now he stumbled on n short
metre A musical brother here came to
MS AID, and led off with tune that suited
the measure IN which the hymn was
written.
After singing the congregation kneeled
ana tho minister, for no one doubted his
real character-addressed the Throne of
Grace with much fervor and eloauence.
The reading of a chapter in the Bible sue.
ceeded. Then there was a dcep pause
the room in anticipation of the
text, which the preacher prepared to an.
nounce.
Brother w. looked pale, and his hands
and knees trembled. Sister w. s face was
IKE crimson, and her heart was beating so
loud that she wondered whether the sound
was not heard by the sister that sat beside |
her. There was breathless silence. Thel
dropping OF pin might almost have been
leard. Then the fine emphatic tones of |
the preacher filled the crowded room.
Ana new commandment | give unto |
you, that you love one another"
Brother w. had bent forward to listen. |
but now he sank back in his seat. This |
was the ElcOenM Commandment
The sermon was deep, searching, vet |
litectlonate and impressive. The preacher |
uttered nothing that could in the least. |
wound the brother and the sister of whose |
hospitality he had partaken, but said much
mat smote upon their hearts and made |
-hem painfully conscious that they had not |
SHOWN as much kindness to the stranger as /
ne had been entitled to receive on the |
broad principal of humanity. But thew
suffered most from modification of feeling.
10 think that they should have treated the
residing Elder of the District after such n
ashton, was deeply humiliating; and the
dea of the whole affair getting abroad in.
'eGrfered 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 w. did not know
What 1t was best for him to do. He never
vas more at loss in his life. Mr. N.
descended from his pulpit, but he did not
,tep forward to meet him. How could be
10 that? Others crowded around and
NOOK hands with him, but still he fingered
md held back.
And where is Brother w. ?" was at
ength heard asked. 1t was tha voice Of
he minister. 800 "
Here he is," said one or two. openino
.he way to where the farmer stood.
The preacher advanced, and CATCHING
MS hand, said
" How do Won do Brothar w . -