Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-10-19
VOL. 77.-3913. NO. 2.

from the friends and scenes OF their early
life. But another thought has filled my
mind as have since recalled our brothers
act in coming TO that meeting and express
ing his desire TO identify himself at once
with Christians. Living in young and
growing city TO which strangers are con-
stantly flocking, where indeed every man is
of necessity a stranger to his neighbor,
the hearts Of Christian workers In the
church have been often panied instead of
gladdened by the action of the later comers;
and | presume nearly every church, in the
east as well as the west, has had more or
less experience with that class of persons
who sit and mourn on the walls of Zion be-
cause they are not "looked after" by those
who are about their Fathers business inside
the gates. The black edges of mourning
paper are never suggestive OF anything pleas
ant and helpful; so the black line of sensi-
tive winners who darken the edges Of the
church and send forth only depressing in
fiuence, suggesting neither beauty nor use
fulness. "They feel that they have not
been made enough of" or "they say our peo-
pie are cold and stiff, and they don't feel at
home with u.s." are words which Christian
workers hear more or less frequently when
one has gone to the mourners to find out
what is the matter. Well, no doubt there is
often very much of truth in the words Of
of the wailing ones; no doubt there is not
that hearty social feeling in many churches
which should be found there no doubt the
majority of church members are not as alert
as they should be in the matter of hand
grasps and words of welcome; but the
young stranger who came TO us the other
evening was Just the human agent we needed
TO put warmth and cheer and helpfulness
into the hearts of the young men there
assembled. II was vacation time, and many
Of the faithful were absent from the city.
Two of the more prominent workers who
were there had come under a burden Of
great physical weakness, and the meeting
would have seemed dull and wearisome to
many, we fear, had il not been for the word
of the young man who would not wait to
| find out how he would be met and treated
but whose one thought seemed TO be, 4" These
men love the Master, aud we are brethren
| | want them to know l am one of Them
| Whether he realized it or not, the work that
night needed him; and he filed his place as
worker, not as silent, waiting critic
Did you say the church is not right 2
said wise old deacon once, to one of the
grumblers on the walls. "Bs sure you are
right, and then part, at least, of the church
will be right" This admonition is born OF
wisdom, and should be seed-thought to al
whom it may concern. When you move
from the old home where you and yours
have been known all your lives, to make {
new home among strangers, identify yoursel
at once with Christians. If possible, g
straight to the church Of the denomination
to which you have belonged, knock at tn
gate and go in. Don't wait for some bus!
worker inside to invite you in. Go clear in
Don't perch on the walls aud croak. Go il
as far as possible, but don't grow sour i
you do not find yourself an acknowledge,
leader at once. Do justly, love mercy, wall
humbly, with the prayer continually in you
heart and very often on your lips, I" Lord
what wilt thou have me to do 2"-Wulidn
". Burr.