The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-10-06
A Repentant Sineer--A story Gr Early
Michigan.


A contributor to the Kalamazoo Tel
e1rdph relates the following incident:
The story am about to relate was only
a small incident at the time, but its in
| fiuence in after time who can estimate?
1t was on n warm summer day in July,
the announcement had been passed
from mouth to mouth that Elder HI was
to preach in the school house morning
and afternoon. This was before churches
had been begun, and before any settled
pastors of any denomination had arrived
within our settlement. One or two cir
cult minister's occupied the whole field,
extending over and beyond the county
lines to Skaters Mission on the north.
and east and west as far as horse could
carry them, so as to get round to meet
at the appointed stations about once in
two weeks. Although there were few
pious people then in our place, nearly
all the inhabitants turned out to hear
what the elder had to say All unnec-
essary work being suspended, the boys
and girls were glad to appear, and in
their better clothes, if they had any.
On this day the school house was full.
/ remember the young men were nearly
all there, for it was expected that GER
tain Miss S., then visiting q married
sister, and lately come from an Eastern
city, would help the singing. She was
a young "school-marm," perhaps trihe
overdressed for the occasion, but evil
IDENTIFY refined in manners and educa-
ton, and, withal, good looking. OF
course she was the observed of those
more intent on passing objects of beauty
than their prayers, and she appeared
well satisfied with her position. At this
distance of time could not describe her
dress, but everyone, believe, noticed her
gold watch and long, small gold chain,
such as was then worn. The elder gave
ont the first hymn and the tune, and as
usual commenced himself alone, expect
ing the congregation to join. Scarcely
had he reached the end of the first line
when Miss s. poured forth her melod-
ious voice, almost drowning the feeble
voices accustomed to join in the singing.
All but few enyious people enjoyed
the sacred song. After a somewhat
lengthy prayer. the elder commenced
his discourse without notes. 1t was
warm day, in midsummer, the windows
open TO their fullest extent, and there
being in the piazza of the next house
fine canary bird, scarcely fifty feet dis
tant from the school-house, and as usual
the bird appeared DESTROYS of rivaling
our music, and poured forth his song
with all his force. Suddenly the elder
stopped in his sermon apparently to
listen TO the bird-a long pause. We
waited, expecting he would resume til e
thread of his discourse, but after wait
ing q long time the elder exclaimed:
Listen TO the beautiful song-bird and
learn a lesson. He obeys the command.
Let every one that hath breath praise
the Lord" The elder appeared to
have taken that for new text he
dwelt on the power or privilege of birds
to manifest their Joy, the instinct of all
creation to praise their Creator in joy
Gus music, and then in sorrow the
preacher compared mankind with the
feathered fowl, dwelling on the base in
gratitude of Christians demanding pay
for the privilege of singing praise to
Him who gave them their voice. The
arrow from this uneducated servant Of
God flew to its mark. [ observed the
wounded Miss s. wiping away the tears,
and as soon as the preacher had finished
his discourse she, with q nervous, hasty
step, walked TO the desk. and kneel-
ing down with the eyes of all
on her she exclaimed, looking up TO
heaven: Heavenly Father, / have
sinned," and, presenting the watch and
chain to the elder, said, "take the wages
/ have received for singing at church,
and what more / have had l will restore
four-fold.' She retired to her seat The
act was so sudden it surprised us all.
The elder, with admirable GOODNESS, took
the offering. and, looking on the congre-
CATION. proclaimed aloud; Let every
thing that hath breath praise the Lord.
Brethren and sisters. let us join III
thanks that God, in Ills infinite good
ness. condesceDds TO teach us, His
children, our duty by the birds Of the
air and the beasts of the fields!" He
then closed with sweet, tender prayer
for all mankind.
l am not yet prepared to approve or
condemn tEis public demonstration of
the wounded feelings of Miss S. 1t be-
came a common subject of conversation
for that Sabbath day at least L re-
member that scarcely two viewed it
alike. Such remarks as these 1 remem-
Der hearing: THE arch hypocrite played
her part with skill. 1t is not her first
performance. The paltry watch and
chain she will get again it was her bid
for beau" 1T was put-up job, and
81 was Disguised with such clap-trap."
Others expressed themselves approving
l. Io+.N l.,
and declared that Raphael never painted
n Magdalen or the Virgin whose coun-
tenance revealed the wrapped devotion,
the contrition exhibited by Miss s.
distinctly remember the remark of our
Scion: Gentlemen, you have all seen
what You looked for; to the pure thou
wilt show myself pure, to the froward
thou wilt show myself froward"