Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-04-22
poisonous fangs? Upright, faithful and
earnest as were the people, they we're not
proof against fiattery and deception

and ambitious, as ne Sa1Q, OI seeing Cnom
make some stir in the world" We know
! from Gods word, that lone sinner de-
stroyeth much good" And yet we are
often annoyed at the results of one mans
evil work in the church. One may SOW
tares which hundred cannot pluck out;
aud therefore it becomes Gods children
to stay the enemy in his first efforts.
He who aimed at the life of the Gospel
church in W, was dead, while be
had name to live.'' He scorned many of
the humble ones whose crown Is waiting
them on high. He hated the humbing
doctrines of the cross, and desired to see
man glorified and exalted; he rebelled
| against the iron bars" which he chose to
call the bonds of love which separate Gods
chosen and obedient ones from the world
that lieth in wickedness. He declared that
the millennium could never dawn till all
Christians were as One-by which he meant
that, for the sake of union, right must
yield to wrong-as if he were Of the num-
Der who loved and longed for the appear
ance of Christ.
| He began stealthily to SOW his seeds
among the younger and weaker of the
flock, and when he saw the first token of
their taking root, he grew bold, and be-
gan to cast them in on the strong, high
hills. But here he found resistance: the
soil which has borne such rich harvests of
grace repealed his seed from it's bosom.
and he came to the mad resolve to assail
the deacon, and try how he would receive
it. If he, with his piety, zeal and infu-
ence, opened his bosom to it, the end was
easily attained. The minister was not
worthy of consideration in the matter
ministers are readily put out of the way
if they do not yield to ungodliness. If he
proved dead sentinel, he would not mo-
lest him; if alive and jealous of his Mas
ter's honor, one bullet would settle him
forever.
| In pursuance of his S'liberal views" and
his deep-laid plan. our valiant reformer-
rode up and fastened bis horse before the
unpretending dwelling of Deacon Lee.
Ushered into the neat keeping -room' to
await his coming from the harvest field,
his restless spirit was almost awed by the
silence which reigned there. The tall clock
in the corner, with it's ever sailing ship,
! licked painfully loud; and even the bnz-
zing OF the few flies on the panes annoyed
him. He suffered much the same oppres-
sion as do those who do wait long in ST.
lent, darkened room, the coming of min
lister to funeral. He wished for, and then
dreaded the good man, being not quite
sure of warm reception, He had just
decided on clandestine flight, when the
door opened and the deacon entered as
calm and neat as if toll had never ruff1ed
his spirits or soiled his garments.
After the usual greetings, and a dead
| awful pause, the visitor began-think of
the wiles of Satan-by. laalenting the low
state of religion, asking the good man why
this church had enjoyed no revival for
three or four years! What cared he for
Gods set time to visit Zion He was far
more deeply interested in the opening of
the new stage road to the summit and and
| hotel which is there.
''Now what do you think is the cause of
things being dull here Do you know %
he persisted in asking.
The Deacon was not ready to give his
! opinion, and, after little thought, frank
ly answered.: mo don't.''
''Do you think the members are alive to
the work before them 20
mo don 't.''
''Do you think the minister fully reali-
yes the solemnity of his work ?''
mo DON'T
| A twinkle was seen in the eye of this
troub!er in. Zion, and taking courage. be
asked.
''Do you think Mr.. B "a very extra
ordinary man ?"
| "No don't.'
do you think his sermon on Their
eyes were holden anything great 20
! mo DON'T"
Making bold after all this encourage
ment in monosyllables, he asked, 'Then
don't you think that we had better dismiss
! this man, and hire another?"
The old deacon started as if shot with
an arrow, and in tone far louder than his
won't, shouted:
mo I.don't.''
'Why," cried the amazed visitor, 'sYo GU
agree with me in all I have said, don't
your"
"No 1 DON'T"
'You talk so little, sir,'' replied the
guest, not little abashed. ''That no one
can find out what you do mean.''
II talked enough once, replied the old
man, rising to his feet, ''for six praying
Christians. Thirty years ago I got my
heart humbled, and my tongue bridled,
and ever since that have walked softly
before the Lord, then made VOWS SOL
emn as eternity; and don't you tempt me
to break Them
The troubler was startled at the earn
| estness of the hitherto silent, immOvable
man, and asked, "What happened to you
thirty years ago?"
"Well, sir, I'll tell you. 1 was drawn
into scheme just like this of yours to up-
root one of Gods servants from the field
in which he had planted him. In my
blindness I fancied it little thing to re-
move one of the stars which Jesus holds
in his right hand, if thereby my ear could
be tickled by more fowery words, and the
pews filled with those who turned away
from the simplicity of the Gospel. and
the men that led me-for / admit that I
was dupe and fool-fattered ourselves
we we're conscientious. We thought we
were doing God S service when we drove
that holy man from his pulpit and his
work. and said we considered his labors
ended in B., where l then lived. We
orOannd hncausa thprn Waa no revival