St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-02-25
Stumbling-Blocks.
BY JULIA A. TIRRELL.

souls had been born again, and the
good work was still going on.
Yet, Notwithstanding all this, MI.
Bruce, the good pastor, was troubled.
Several of his congregation, for whom
he had most fervently prayed and
strongly hoped, refused to yield Mr.
TAYLOR. the stOre-keeper, good honest
man, but needing living experience
DIR. Steele, who had so many oppoItu-
mites for pointing sick and dying ones
to the Saviour and many others. Most
of these urged. rs excuses, the fallIngs
of Christians but there were Bertha
aud William Page, children of the most
active and iutiential members of the
cLurch-what excuse could they effer
Snrelv. both father and mother were
exemplars of the Gospel he preached.
Bertha Page was highly intelligent
and amiable Young lady, always ready
to assist in the outward work of the
church and Sunday school, bnt strange
IN reticent whenever the subject of per
sonal piety was broached.
OF course, Mr.. Bruce did not consider
the shortcomings of protesting Chris
tians a sufficient reason why the I'M
saved should remain unsaved, but he
did think cold-hcarted, inconsistent
believers would help onward the Lords
work by becoming devoted in heart
and Christ-like III life; and, according
", he preached a searching sermon
from the text, "Prepare We the way of
the Lord"
81 do wish the minister would preach
more about the joys of heaven, and
not sc0ld so much" said some one bur
the sermon was one which many prof
itably applied to themselves. Others
applied it only to their neighbors.
Yes said Mrs. Page. as she sat at
the Widespread table that afternoon
for the family observed the good old
fashioned custom of having dinner and
supper in one on Sunday Yes, Il most
excellent discourse. Brother Bruce
breaches good practical sermons that
people can understand, and | hope
those for whom this one was meant will
receive it. If we would prepare the
way of the Lord, we must remove ev-
erything that would hinder people from
seeking IIim-all the stumhling-blocks.
can't wonder that Mr.. Taylor thinks
the religion isn't good for much that
doesn't make people pay their debts.
He's lost hundreds of dollars, first and
last, by trusting church members. And
there's DR.. Steele. He says he can't
understand why any one expecting a
mansion in heaven can be so terribly
afraid to 90 and possess it as Bro.
Lewis is when sick. Hannah Butler
prctends to feel so much concerned for
her husband and children but anybody
can see that she herself is keeping them
back, scolding and fIetting about the
house from morning till night. might
name twenty other cases. Even Bro.
Bruce would he more efficient if he
called around oftener among the peo-
pie. But then, suppose these extra
meetings take a good deal of his time.
Well, | hope the sermon to-day will be
of benefit to those who need it. When
Bertha and Willie want to start fol the
kingdom, hope they'll find no STUN
bling-block in the way"
Mr.. Page was a man of few words,
and knowing how well his wife liked
to talk, he ate his meal in silence, sim
ply nodding assent, now and then, to
her remarks.
Two hours later, Mrs. Page lay, in
the fading light of the short winter
day, on the back-parlor lounge, heI
mind filled with anxious thoughts con
corning the children she loved; just
such anxious thoughts us every Chris
ton mother must have, who sees hel
sons and daughters approaching man
hood and wOmanhoOd uncOnverted
Many prayers had she offered for the
gentle, studious Bertha, and generous
atfectionate Will. What would she not
be willing to give or do, she aske
herself, if she might only see them
numbered among the saved.
The front parlor door opened and
shut. As the folding doors were partly
closed, she could not see who had en-
tered, but she soon distinguished the
voices of her'sOn and daughter.
Il say, Bert, what do you think oil
it, anyway G-this religion, | mean
that all the folks are making so much
fuss about9 If what mother says is
true, we are just as good as these folks
that talk so much in meeting. | would
not lie, nor cheat, nor steal. Why are
not my chances of heaven as good as
theirs 7"
go VIII, that's mean and cowardly
not like you, at all. We have no right
tn neglect our duty because others are
unfaithful. As for the chances YOU
speak of, there are no chances about it
I've been studying the Bible, and
find that we can never be fitted to live
with Jesus and the holy angels until
our hearts are made clean and our sins
forgiven, no matter how good our lives
may appear"
81 suppose you are right; you almost
always are; but why don't you seek
this change if you believe in it? I'm
always ready TO follow you anywhere
i must say, though, | can't understand
why mother should talk so about those
she calls brethren and sisters. Think
I'd keep talking about yeu to others il
yoO'd done wrong No, sir Not while
YOU were my sister"
That's Just it, Willie. I've tried sc
hard not to notice mothers talk. and
I'm ashamed of myself that it should
trouble me as it does. I've returned
from meeting a great many times, feel
ing deeply my needs, and she would
say something about the ministers pc
culiarities. or somebody's Inconsistency
that would drive away all my serious
impressions and tho worst of it is, the
next time | hear the person speak,
keep thinking of what mother has said
She's a good woman, and wouldn't dc
anything wrong for the world. All tina
she SAYS may be true; but | do wisl
she wouldn't talk about people"
isn't it st. Paul who says something
about telling your brother his fault
between him and yourselfi I'm goins
to learn that passage and soma tim,
you'll hear me quoting it, when ! car
without being disrespectful. Hark
there's the bell for evening service
Run and put on yOur things, sis, anC