South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-08-12

S"' TAG may DC dying. and tho
sight OF Jour face might aid to his an.
guish.'
Has it come to this P said to my
self, that the mao whose labors had,
through Christ, brought me into his fold.
whose hand had baptised me, who bad
consolcd me in terrible bereavement
and who had, till designing men hal a.
iterated us. been 10 me as a brother, that
this man could not die in peace with my
face before him (? Col pity me- cri.
ell, what have done p
i confessed my sin to that meek wo.
man, aud implored her for Chris,s sake
to let ne kneel before his diving servant
and receive Lis forgiveness. What did
care then whether the pews by the
door were rented or not 1 would glad.
iy have taken his whole family to my
house forever Us my own flesh and blood,
but no such happiness was before me.
AS | entered the room Of the blessed
warrior whose armor was falling from
his limbs, he opened his eyes and said
Brother Lee! Brother Lee! l bent
over him and sobbcd out: My pastor!
my pastor! Then raising his white
hand, lie said in q deep, impressive
voice: Touch not mine anointed and
do my prophets no harm | spoke
tenderly 10 him; told him 1 had come
]
TO confess my sin. and bring some of
my fruits TO him, calling my son to tell
him how he had found Christ. But lie
! was unconscious OF all around. The
sight of my face had brought the last
pang of earth to lis spirit. / kissed
his brow and told how dear lie had been
TO me. l cravcd his pardon for my un-
fai;hfulness, aud promised to care for
! his widow and fatherless little ones !;
but his only reply murmured, as if in
q troubled dream, Touch not mine
anointed AMI do my prophets no harm
[ stayed by him all night, end at day
break closed bis eyes. | offered his
widow a house to live in the remainder
of her days. but like heroine, she said,
| freely forgive you. But my children,
who entered deeply into their father 5
anguish, shall never see me so regard
less Of his memory as 10 take anything
from those who caused it. He left Us
with his God, and lie will care for us
Well, sir, those dying words sounded
in my ears from that coffin AID from that
grave. When slept, Christ stood be.
fore nc in n dream. saying: "rotich not
mine anointed and do my prophets no
harm. These words followed me until
| fully realized the esteem in which
Christ holds those men who haze given
up all for his sake, and | vowed TO love
them evermore for his sake, even if they
are no. perfect; and since that day, sir,
| have talked less than before and sup
ported my pastor, even il he is not a
very extraordinary man. My tongue
shall cleave to the roof of my mouth,
and my right hand forget her cunning,
before | dare put Islander what God
has J lined together. When minister's
work is done in a place. l believe God
will show IL 10 him. | will not join you,
sir, in the scheme that brought you here
and, moreover, if hear another word
Of this from your lips, shall ask my
brethren TO deal with you as with. them
who cause divisions. | would give al
| own to recall what did thirty years
ago. Stop where you are, and pray God
it, Perchancer the shought Of your heart
may be forgiven you
This decided reply put an end to the
newcomers efforts to get q minister
who could make more stir, and left him
free to lay out roads and build hotels.
There is often great power in the little
word no, but sometimes it requires not
a little courage To speak it as resolutely
as did the Silent Deacon MRs. j. ID.
! CHAPLIN.