Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-03-09
Nellie's Venture.

we're tolling for morning worship The
streets were nearly deserted for the wind
was fierce, and the creaking snow beneath
the feet of few hurrying church-goers told
shivering story. "Sunday Herald /" rang
out loud and clear, as Nellie Wood and her
brother Charlie were hurrying down the
avenue to the great church on the corner.
"Charlie, do believe that poor boys ears
are frozen see how white they are. Let us
ask him into the church to warm"
"Why, Nell Woods, you wouldn't be seen
talking with that ragamuflin, would you
His name is Tom. | often see him but
never think of talking with him besides, it
is too cold to stop" And Charlie turned up
his warm coat-collar and walked very fast.
"Wait," said Nellie; off you don't ask
him will" So she walked up to the "rag-
| amufHn" and said, "Little boy, won't you
come to the church with us and get warm2"
He turned round, quite astonished to see
a pretty blue suit and bright face so near
him, and in his confusion hardly understood
her so Nellie said again,
"Come, walk down to the church with
us it is 80 warm there, and you are freez-
ing"
The boy didn't know he was freezing, but
it was true.
| At this he said,
~ must sell these haven't sold one yet"
Nellie's courage began to fall yet she
| felt the case to be an urgent one, and she
added
"But you are freezing. Come, Charlie
will get ahead of u.s.
At this the boy walked very fast, shout
ing his "Sunday papers I" to every one he
| met.
Nellie soon found herself alone, for Char
lie had already turned into the churchyard
gate, and Tom, who had found purchaser,
was busy fumbling in his old coat-pocket
with his poor numb fingers, for bit of
change. Before Nellie had reached the
church Tom was gone around the corner;
and she felt that all her kindness was wasted.
Her surprise was all the greater when, on en-
tering the hall, she saw Tom, who had en-
tered at the side-door, sitting behind the
stove. He didn't look at Nellie, nor seem to
know she was there.
"You will be here when church is out,
won't you? / would like to have you come
into Sunday-school," she said, as she stood
quite near him warming her fingers.
| Tom did not answer, and made as though
he had not heard her. So Nellie passed into
the church, feeling quite heavy-hearted.
| Toms ears soon began to feel strangely
a stupor stole over him and he was soon fast
asleep. The sexton saw him and wondered;
a few late corners looked upon him with
pity but no one disturbed him. By-and-
by he became conscious of hearing some
thing that seemed like breath from far
away, floating to him on the air. 1t seemed
1.-THE warmth and the beauty
| The infinite love and the light"
The organ ceased, and the great doors
| horR ha rod
out, cycling Tom coldly. He was now fully
aroused, and the charm was broken. But
when Nellie came toward him and said, 1T
is Sunday-school time now will you come 2"
the warmth came back to his heart, and he
followed her. Nellie hardly expected to find
Tom still there; and her heart beat fast with
pleasure and excitement as she whispered to
the superintendent that Tom was a new
scholar
| There was class of lust such scholars,
taught by a gentleman whose heart was full
of charity and sympathy for them. The SUI
perintendent placed him there, and he soon
felt quite at ease Tom came quite regu-
larly, and by-and-by seemed to be reaching
out after something beyond himself; but it
was long time before he realized that he
was sinner, and Christ his Saviour; yet
often, when he heard sweet music, the old
| tcVhuS Wouiu hS ain SIcdi oNcI ulu, anu Ho
would seem to be quite thoughtful
Catching the strain of the music
| Floating so sweetly along;
| Knowing the song they singing,
Yet joining not in the song.
For long time he seemed thus, " not far
from the kingdom" and finally, one Sab
bath morning. after lesson about Christ
dying to save sinners, Tom told his teac her
that he felt he was sinner, but wanted to
be Christian.
"Thank God, Tom," said his teacher,
a." for no one can be saved till he feels the
need of salvation. Do you remember the
first Sabbath you came into my class, three
years ago now, Tom? Well, your ears were
both frozen, but you did not know it and
here was the warmth so near you, yet you
would not come and take it. So your heart
has been
'Out in the dark and the danger,
| Out in the night and the cold,
| Though he is longing to lead you
Tenderly into the fold
By the aid of this judicious teacher Tom
became useful Christian man, and he ever
traced the turning-point in his cheerless life
TO Nellie's kindness on that cold Sabbath
morning, long ago.
Dear friends, can't we all help some one
who is freezing and in darkness into the
warmth and the light?-Selected.