Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-12-24

| " do d SOUCI WdUs uOuCSG S1uu AuA0oeA AOuS,
and supporting his family quite comfort
lately reformed by Maude's influence.
Still others followed, both men and
women, all sober and clean /; and with an
almost reverential air each comes near the
bed OF the sufferer to press her wasted
hand. and murmur heartfelt greeting on
this Christmas evening.
What grateful smile of holy joy IL
lumined the patients countenance as she
looked upon this rich harvest of immortal
souls whom God had allowed her to CLEAN
for His glory! They had come thus in a
body to surprise Miss Harrington" they
said and some had even brought flowers
and laid them on her bed, silently, SOL
emnly, all had brought some trifling gift
for . Miss Herrington's little boy" But
there was great sadness pictured on each
| face, as they looked upon the dear form
there on the bed, for they knew she was
not to be with them long any more.
UnnOticed in the slight hustle of the
SURPRISE carriage had driven up be-
fore the house. And now another knock
is heard at tho door. The next instant an
elegantly dressed gentleman enters, all
muff1ed i'll furs, and asks in 4 respectful
voice
Does Miss Harrington live here ?"
AS he spoke he removed his fur cap from
his head and large fresh scar is seen on
his forehead. 1t is the man whose life
Maude had saved in the court gutter three
weeks ago. 1t is-can it be possible Yes,
it is Lawrence brood
But he has changed very much. He
has grown ten years older since this even
ing two years ago! i! Still Maude rccOg-
,,iy SloG 4.
to him.
He takes them, kisses them bows his
head low down and falls upon his knees by
that humble bedside.
Maude feels the tears from this strong
mans eyes falling hOtly upon her hands.
But she does not withdraw them. She
only looks more happy, more sanity than
before, us she lifts her eyes upward to
heaven and murmurs prayer to the Father
of love there.
At length tho pcnitent-fOr Lawrence
brood is penitent. yea, and par'lOncd too,
is able to speak.
''And is it thus find you, Miss Her.
rinStOn ," he exclaims, in tones of bitter
rcmOrsc. ~ could not believe them
when they told mo it was you who had
saved my life. did not know then that
it had been at the sacrifice of your own
.. Miss Harrington, can you ever forgive
me ?"
Lawrence" solemnly, but with feeble |
tone, asked Maude, Lawrence, has God |
forgiven you?"
Yes. blessed be His name, yes. But,
had it not been for you you, who above |
all Oh earth had cause to hate me, should |
have died in my sins, a miserable, beastly |
That fall, and that rescue
brought me to my senses, showed me my
low. lost condition, and brought me to re-
pentance and redeeming faith in Jesus
Christ, by whose grace am saved.'
Yes, Lawrence to him belongs all the
glory. He has pardoned you. l have
nothing to forgive, but only to thank and
praise him for his marvellous goodness,
mercy and love-"
An expression came over her face, too
pure, too gloriously transfgurcd for any
mere earthly being. All they that saw
her then, declared ever after that she had
become an angel even before her soul left
it's body.
She looked again ut the man, kneeling
by her bed, and with sweet, blissful cx-
preston, said:
$50 you are a Christian; saved at last,
Lawrence"
He humbly bowed his head in roply and
"By Gods grace l have re-
bounced sin and tho world, and belong to
Christ and Him alone, henceforth and for
,ver''
"Amen ~ solemnly said several voices
II the room.
After another pause, Maude withdrew
Ter orc hand from his, and gently drew {
back the covers from the sleeping boy, as
hc said,
Lawrence, will you accept Christ
mas present from nc this blessed Christ {
mas night ? And will you keep it and
cherish it, care for and love it as long as
'ou live, for tho holy Christ's sake. for
Tour sainted wife's sake, for my sake? ?"
The man gazed q moment at tho lovely
hild. lie snatched him to his breast,
While i flood Of tears, tears of sacred
,ratitude, once moro burst from him as he
exclaimed.
''And this too, Miss Harrington this
90, o my God do I owe to you o. it is
90 much ! Yes, for your sake, for my
loly Christ's sake, do accept this prcc-
Jus gift from your hand, but as given by
Iod himself to whom be glory alone.
,lory in the highest
Maudcs head sank upon the pillow. A
wect smile wreathed her lips, from which !.
S she closed her eyes, came the same
vords
"Glory to God in the Highest"
Then all was still. A purified soul had .
led from earth, was winging its way up ,
Yard to the throne. But as the pearly
ates above swing open to receive Maude |
Ierrington that solemn Christmas night 4
he little fOurtl-story room suddenly
GEMS to become filled with wondrous {
Melody and marvellous light. $
Did those redeemed men and women, S
tho SO rcvcrently knelt around the little u
cd, in reality catch the glorious
ound of the seraphim's chaunt, and see 1
he glitter and sheen Of the heavenly $
arps They thought SO. But perchance it S
7as only the reflection and echo of these
D their hearts, that SO filled their whole 9
eing. and sounded as clear and distinct as t
Vhen first it broke on the midnight air I
FER the hills of Judea. /
Hark! What flood of melody it is! +
AS though 'twere Christmas in Heaven, q
s we'll as on earth for earth and Heaven +
like arc filled with the swelling refrain '
Glory to God! Glory to God IN the c
Highest"
Our Grand HOLIDAY. {