The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-03-14
Written for the Daily Sentinel.
A CHURCH SOCIAL

Il knew MIN so well WDen OOy, bdiu
q matronly looking lady. addressing q COM
pany of lady friends, who were chatting In
the parlor of a Meridian street mansion q
few days since. George Brandon was
promising youth. He had heart and soul
and brains, and was handsome withal. His
parents lived near by. In early manhood
his father was well off, but failed
and soon after died. Mrs. B. was delicate
The shock so overcame her that
in few months she followed her husband
to the grave. 1t was strange sickness-a
gentle fading out of life. Her love for her
boy was angelic. The exhibitions of sffec
ton for George were beautiful pictures in my
memory that will never be effaced. We read
much of a mothers love, but no word paint
ing contains a 1.-THE of its beauty; of its
depth and hight and sacredness. Mrs
Brandon's was so intense that when she ca
ressed her boy there seemed to be language
IN her delicate fingers as she wound them
among his luxuriant curls, and in her
large, blue eyes there were such expressions
of devotion that glance thrilled the be-
holder with sensations such as l had never
known. To hear her talk to George was like.
LISTENING to words from the shore beyond
the tide-hopeful, trustful. Oh, what con-
fidence she placed in the lessons she had
taught him. and then she would say, "Jesus.
George will be mother and father when 1
am gone" She told him of temptations, of
snares, and then, with his head on her
bosom, would ask him if he would remem-
Der all she said when she was taken
away. George would promise, and
mothers kiss would seal the vow.
But how changed; George has broken
every promise. but / know he has not for
gotten his ssinted, angel mother. 1 wish 1
could see him. / would recall the scenes OF
his young bOyhood, and believe he might
be rescued. Il believe 50, too" responded
the ladies as they took the white 'kerchiefs
from their eyes, land if we could only help
you Now, let US contrive a plan. We
must get him from his companions and sur
roundings. and bring him under better in
fuences, and then arouse to new life
the good that am confident is
in him. He does not go to church, but we
must try to have him attend one of our
socials. There 1 will meet him and make
an effort to revive recollections which il
once supreme in his mind will result in a
reformation" 1t was all arranged to catch
George in q net of kindness and lift him up
to a purer and a better life. We should
like to tell the names of all the
ladies who. with motkerly affection.
sought to rescue a noble youth from the
dangers that environed him.
An invitation was sent to George Brandon
to attend the social of - church, on -
street The note was received in good time.
and just as George was arranging for q meet
ing with some fast young men who had plan
ned for frolic. He read the name Of the
the lady who signed the invitation; he re
membered it as one of his mothers dear
est friends who was present when she died
and closed her eyes who said kind words TO
him when his young heart was oppressed
with it's FIRST great sorrow. George ceased
making his toilet, sat down. and resting his
head upon his hands WAS absorbed
in thought. Then he arose, went
to his trunk, took out a
little box, opened it and drew forth the
photograph of his mother He gazed upon
it long and Intently. He read the invitation
to the social again. and then resolved to re-
spond to it in person. His gay companions
missed him in their reyels that night and
forever after; his voice was not heard in wit,
repartee, song and story; the wine
flowed as freely as of yore, but
George was rot with them to drink He
was in his room ON his knees forming re-
solves, offering prayers, thinking OF his
mother. repeating her sweet words. And
thus he did until he felt that she was in bis
room. and that her angel fingers were again
toying with his locks. There was grief,
modification and repentance, but withsl
manly resolves, a noble purpose to
stop, turn about and live a new
life. When the evening arrived
for the social George was ready. There
was strange elasticity in his step as he
walked along Pennsylvania street toward
the church. Old companions met him and
saluted him: Where away. Georger' ITO
church" To church," well, TO q
church social" Hal hal" and the derisiye
laugh rang out on the crisp night air. This.
however, did not at all effect the pur-
pose of the young man, but bowng
himself out of their company, he proceeded
Arrived at the church, he walked ia ed