Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1878-11-18
the midst of a class of young men.

her own church, nor yet orderly, respect
able looking young men, as she saw
Mrs. Lacey engaged with, but decidedly
rough in dress and face, unaccustomed
to, and uneasy in this room of prayer
and praise. brought in by special en-
treaty, and only to be kept in there by
special work.
"Why did he give me this class of all
in the room the hardest and I the least
experienced.
This thought overwhelmed her at
first, but the same spirit which impelled
the effort sustained her in it, and before
the singing and prayer were ended, she
felt eager and thankful that this oppor-
tunity was given her to "hold up the
cross and direct their eyes. blinded by
sin and neglect, to look that they might
live.
The lesson, of course she was familiar
with that, having as usual studied it
with her children at home but to inter-
est these minds so unaccustomed to BIZ
BILE truths, what should she say to
them
But looking at them with the shadow
of the cross full upon her, she could not
go far astray. With ready tact she SIM
ply called the attention of each to his
paper, and then herself in clear, low
voice read over the verses slowly, giving
plenty of time for them to follow, then
taking it as whole, asked questions,
allowing each to answer as he pleased !;
thus finding out without modification to
any one, who were able to read we'll,
and who were Bright or dull of intellect.
With force and fire and tenderness
which seemed as new to her as to them
she illustrated, enforced, pressed home
upon her entranced listeners the sweet
and loving story of "Jesus lifted up, !"
till hushed and solemn tenderness in
the rough voice which spoke for the
rest at the close of the service, "You
will be sure and be here next Sabbath,
ma am ?" told her that she had indeed
touched the right chord in their hearts !;
that the Lord was using her to bring
these souls to himself.
She sat like one in dream after the
school was dismissed. too happy, too
humble to lift her head till Mr.. Laurie S
voice again aroused her, with the same
question. "You will be sure and be
here next Sabbath %
"Yes, | think, l am almost sure l
will be. But oh, it seems so strange, SO
wonderful, that should have this hon.
or. o Mr.. Laurie, the cross seemed
very heavy at first, but how light it is
now p
Mr.. Williams came home late Monday
evening and found his wife waiting for
him in the parlor. After talking over
the events of the days of separation as
he partook Of some refreshments he re-
marked: "You had pleasant day yes
terday, [ suppose"
"a delightful day, my dear, but
must make a confession !" and then she
went on to relate her experience. He
listened with eager interest.
''My dear, it is strange, but I toe
was exercised in peculiar manner yes
terday in reference to E street.
''As stepped into the depot Friday
night, | met Mr.. Laurie. He was walk.
ing fast and seemed absorbed in thought
but when stopped and shook hands
and enquired how he was getting on,
though he seemed very glad to see me,
he looked flushed and tired, and said,
'Oh very we'll, thank God, only brother
Williams, there is SO much to be done
/ have been all day chasing after two Of
my boys who have lost their places and
will 90 to the bad unless followed up
, very closely, and now I must hurry
/ home and try and do something for my
Sunday work In the cars | took ;
seat by DIR. M. He spoke of Lau
, rie, and said that he had just been tell
ing him he would wear himself out un
less he allowed himself some rest. H,
= is doing noble work in this section,
r said he; some of you pious ones ough
5 to see to it that the poor fellow doesn'
kill himself!''
> al suppose it was this talk, and som
t thoughts suggested by Ms remarks
q which followed me even in my sleep, 70
t | had dream. Mary. you know hoy
t seldom | dream, so it seemed the stran
: ger.
0 81 thought that Mr.. Laurie was dead
I was in the room and seemed to cate
his last sigh. saw his wife and littl
ones weeping over him, and then tn
room was filled with his church and hi
Sabbath-schoo!, and crowd of those h
f was striving to lead 10 the narrow way
All looked overwhelmed with grief, AM
!. when | tried to speak words of comfort
my tongue seemed glued to my mouth.
o "All at once the crowd was gone,
was alone with the dead, and-m
r Lord
.'It was as if His bodily presence wa
: | +hnro oa &c old xrbor Ha okood waa,,;r