Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-04-25
(COntinned from First Pnce.

Nhat HoSpitdbiC Nbhi
are. Miss Marley. | feel already as if we
legations to YOU all for your kindness to 4
stranger
''Oh yes" said she, father seems to
have taken a particular fancy to YOU; but
sometimes he is quite rude to my best
friends"
IL am surprised that he should ever b,
rude 10 any one, said he.
ii hardly ever knew him to be so. sh,
said "But he is not willing to let me as
sociate with the Quakers. and my frien,
bora Graham goes to the Friend meeting
believe father dislikes any one who die
rot belong to our church. You have NJ
idea how set he is
You surprise me-" said the minister
Your father does not seem like one t'
have unreasonable prejudices.'
They had now about reached the church
which was situated at the corner of tive
streets. A young lady and gentleman il
unmistakable Quaker drab were coming
up the other street, and met them rather
abruptly. They spoke like familiar ac-
quaintances, and the young man lifted his
hat.
"Ah, this must be Dora Graham. e
thought Mr.. M'April. This young man
is her brother perhaps. There may be
some other reason why Mr.. Narlev does
not fancy the friendship" He again
glanced at his companion. Her eyes were
east down, and she hurried into church,
feeling vexcd that they should have met
the Grahams. though she did not know
why. The minister followed her slowly
and thoughtfully. but when he reached the
pulpit every thing except the service in
which they were about to engage was eX-
PEELED from his mind. While the organist
was playing the voluntary he took up the
hymn-book and began to read the selections
for the afternoon; then he aroused himself
TO better attention, and read the same
thing over again, and this is what he read:
Plunged in gulf of deep despair,
We wretched sinners lay,
without one cheerful beam Of hope,
Or spark of glimmering day"
''Can this be the kind of selections my
friend John Smith is in the habit of max
ing?' he wondered. ''If so, he must have
changed in a short time He turned the
book over, and looked at the back
then he started up as if about to speak,
but seemed to think better of it. At length
his gaze rested on a small Testament lying
oh pidthtt III iilt pulpit. llt stiItu IL,
and turned to the leaf. on which was writ
ten IN plain hand. Alexander Appleton
Smith, Parole lie saw the whole thing
now. Evidently he had read his friends
letter incorrectly, and had come to the
wrong place. But how could it have hap
pened? There was not one chance in a
hundred that two Mr.. Smiths should be
absent from their pulpits on the same day.
How very strange that he should have
lighted upon another Mr.. Smith vacant
pulpit! and then. where did his friend Mr.
John Smith preach Now the question
arose as to what he should do next. He
could not conscientiously read that hymn,
and the sermon he was expecting to
preach might not suit his audience; yet
would it not be well for them to hear some
opinions different than their own for once
He felt almost like an impostor, for the
people thought their own Mr. Smith had
sent him, and had no idea what were his
articles of faith. Yet he thought he should
like to have Mr.. Smith preach for him
then why should he not preach for Mr.
Smith The music of the organ had
ceased some time ago, and his friends be-
gan to fear that he did not feel well enough
to preach. Mr.. Marley had inst started
from his pew. having made up his mind
to inquire into the prolonged silence, when
the young man arose.
MY friends" he said. II beg your par
don. particularly that of the choir for !
have decided to speak to You upon diff |
ferent subject from what at first intend
ed, and this involves chage in the
hymns"
While they were singing the first hymn
he selected his text, which was this: 'IIe
is not jew which is one outwardlv: $50
but he is a jew or we might say, Chris
tan which is one inwardly; and circum-
cision is that of the heart, in the spirit.
and not in the letter.
Perhaps a greater impression was made
upon the audience than in the morning.
for things had never been presented to them
in just that light before. Mr.. Varley paid
the strictest attention, and then walked
home quietly, with no such Outburst as in
the morning, bordering over what he had
heard.
That evening, when the Varevs and
their guest were seated talking together.
they were startled by strange sound
"What can that be ?" exclaimed Mr..
MApril.
'Oh, that is the signal for Capt. Hal
yards evening meeting" answered Mr.
Marley. IL have not heard it before to-
day, so guess he could not find preach
er, and put off his meeting until tonight.
The Captain is queer, crotchetv man.
who has built small house, where he
holds some kind of service every Sun
day. Somehow every one seems willing
to put up with his eccentricities. He and
his wife have really done some good here.
people say but know very little about it..
As he was speaking the door bell rung
violently. Ruth started up and went TO
the door
Good evening, my dear said pleas
ant voice. Il wonder if you can give me
a match And short, stout. elderly
man. with broad. smiling face, entered.
How do you do?" said Mr.. Varley.
This is a coincidence. for we were Just
speaking about you. Mr.. M'April. this is
Capt. Royal Halyard.'
The two gentlemen shook hands.
81 hope you will excuse me for coming
in Sunday night, Mr.. varley," said Capt.
Halyard; "but my matches all went out.
and as your house is nearer than mine. |
just ran in to get another. am clad
came, for now | can see your minister