Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-01-23
SGltttt0 Storp.


Il is rot unusual for people to keep
their b,s, household things their best
bed snd clina-tor guests; some keep
tor them their bes. looks, and manners,
and words; some 90 still farther, aud
keep sli their pie,y tor them. Not bit
OF it 40 they use tor themse,res or their
families; i, j. never seen on ordinary
occasjo,S and 50 is perhaps all the nicer,
I and there j, al the moye If IL ior compa-
a.. EaJu-l OF T. there surely i, il not
q sur.c.t. Tue visitor is treated 70 it
with 81 E5eraH;y lise ,aa. OF The Western
housewife, who. on being told bY her
minister lba, she nigh; pat less molass-
es in his tea. insisted tia, # she made It
al mo.a>SeS it would not be any too
good for him.
1t was Nj. S:mpkin's parlor-a nice,
religious looking p4r,or, very. y mon
s;rous great B.y.e. bound liz morocco
and gold, with purple ribbon book
mark. yard .org. dangling with cluci-
fixes. lay alone il seeming sacrodness
on The cea.rs table. Three certificates
Of lie membership in religious societies
hung IN heavy giltirames upon the wal
No i-iy ornaments or vain curiosi,ies on
The wha;-not, bat divine songs and sa-
cred hymns, "Bsx,ers SAINTS Rest"
'Tlylo5's Holy Living ani DIing,"
"Howe's B.essodaess OF the Righteous -
books OF exalted pie,y, that bear their
readers, Ike angel, wings, 10 the very
sa,es oi The beautiful city. Beside them
were choice piles o. magazines, labeled
"GajJo to Holiness"
Tae air OF the place was still and so!-
emu, almos, holy. Deacon Wilson le /
tha, i, was. while he waited there for
Ms. S.mpsius. lie took up q number
OF The Gliie To Holiness. and opened il.
Perfect Love. Heaven Below, ""Liy-
ing Below our Privilege" be read in the
table OF conteuts.
"Wla, - go5L,y woman Sis.er Simp-
. kius l., Le said TO himself, aud laid The
magsz.ne in place, feeling himself so
lar from holiness that The very titles Of
The articles were discoursging to him.
Il SIN g'Sd there are some good peo-
pie" he al cd, locking around the room
al the ''parlor Bio.e." and the lie mem
beiships. Yes. Sister Simpkius IS q
very devoted woman"
Ms. S,mpkins entered with sweet ard
placid cOuutenance, and grave. subdued
manner. ike one Just leaving chapel
service or closet meditation. and in low,
chastened tone welcomed The deacon
and assured him OF her high estimate et
the privilege Of Christian communion, #
the strength she derived from Cnristian y
association, the comfort from Chrisiis n
sympathy.
The deacon had barely time 10 make a
suitable response when she inQuil ed:
And what's the state ol Zion. deacon ?
VIVA, say the-wa,cbmen Oh the walls
The question was general, and the
deacon was safe in the answer. Few 90
in at The gates
"AnI why? Why is i?' exclaimed
Mrs. Simpkirs, with au air and tone Of
touching so,icitude. why must we
wait so long to see the Spirit OF God
poured out? surely the fault is In our
se,ves. Tle Church is living tar below
her du.y and privilege. Too many OF Us
are not yet sanctiied, wholly sanctiied
one with the Lord. Too many OF US
still cling to the world. still have appe-
tite for the 1esh-pots of Egypt. We
have come out of the world, and we
must not lock back"
sOb," groaned the good deacon, al
/ feel sometimes that l am the Achan in
the camp OF Israel. the Jonah that hin
ders the ship"
do you ever read the Guide to ho'i-
ness ?" asked Mrs Simpkins. when she
had luuy delivered her opinions on the
condition aud duty OF the Church.
The deacon confessed that be had not
"Irs an excellent work. deacon" said
Mrs. Simpkins. with slightly increase d
warmth of manner. Il can recommend
i, with entire confidence. have taken
il for years, and fad it very spiritual.