The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-12-26
Deacon Lees Experience.

ate uneasiDess in the church, and espe-
cially to drive away the minister.
The deacon came in to meet his Wis
itor, who, after the usual greetings, began
to lament the low state of religion, and
inquired as to the reason why there had
been no revival for the last two or three
years.
"Now what do you think is the cause
of things being dull here ?"
The deacon was not ready to give his
opinion, and, after a little thought,
frankly answered, al don't know"
ado you think the churches are alive
to the work before them"
"No, don't"
A twinkle was seen in the eye of the
troubler in Zion, and, taking courage, he
asked, Do you think Mr.. B. very ex-
traordinary man ?"
mo, don't"
"Do you think his sermons are any
thing wonderfully great ?"
"No, DON'T"
"Then don't you think we had better
dismiss this man and hire another ?"
The old deacon started, as if shot with
an arrow, and, in tone louder than his
wont, shouted, mo, don't"
"You talk so little, sir" replied the
questioner, not little abashed, "that no
one can find out what you do mean"
al talked enough once" replied the
old man, rising to his feet, "for six pray
ing Christians. Thirty years ago / got
my heart humbled and my tongue bridled,
and ever since that I've walked softly be-
fore God. l then made vows, solemn as
eternity, and don't tempt me to break
them"
The troubler was startled at the earn.
eetness of the hitherto SILENT immovab'e
man, and asked. What happened to you
thirty years ago? ?"
"Well, sir, III tell you. l was drawn
into scheme just like this of yours, to
uproot one of Gods servants from the
field in which he had planted him. In
my blindness fancied it little thing to
remove one of the stars which Jesus
holds in his right hand, if thereby my ear
could be tickled by more flowing words,
and the pews filled with those who turned
away from the simplicity Of the gospel.
Il aud men that led me-for l admit
that was dupe and fool-fattered
ourselves that we were doing God SER
vice when we drove that holy man from
the pulpit and his work, and said we con-
sidered his work done in B, where |
then lived. We groaned because there
was no revival while we were gossiping
about and criticisiDg and crushing him,
instead of upholding him by our efforts
and our prayers, the very instrument at
whose hand we harshly demanded the
blessings.
"Well, sir, he could not drag on the
chariot of salvation with half dozen of
us haunting him for his weakness, while
we hung as dead weight to the wheels
he had not the spirit, as we thought, and
could not convert men 80 we hunted him
like deer, till, worn and bleeding, he fled
into covert to die.
"Scarcely had he gone, when God
came in among us by his Spirit, to show
that he had blessed the labors of his dear
rejected servant. Our own hearts were
verified; and l resolved, at convenient
season, to visit my former pastor and con
fess my sin, and thank him for his faith
fulness to my hayward sons, which, like
long.buried seed, had now sprung up
But God denied me that relief, that b,
might teach me lesson that every chile
of his ought to learn-that he who touch
eth one of his little ones toucheth tn,
apple of his eye.
81 heard my pastor was i'll, and, taking
my Oldest son with me, set. out on
twenty-five mile ride to see him. 1t wa
evening when I arrived, and his wife
with the spirit which any woman ough
to exhibit toward one who had 50 wronget
her husband, denied me admittance to hi
chamber. She said land her words wer
like arrows to my souD, He may be dy
ing, and the sight of your face might ad,
10 his anguish Had it come to this,
said to myself, that the man whose labor
had, through Christ, brought me into hi
fold, who had consoled my spirit in ter
rible bereavement, and who had, unit
designing men had alienated as, been +
me brother-that this man could no
die in peace with my face before him
God pity me cried what have
done p | confessed my sins to that NEE
woman, and implored her, for Christ
sake, to let me kneel before his dying SCI
want and receive his forgiveness.
"What did | care then whether the pew
by the door were rented or not? woul
gladly have taken the whole family to m
home forever, as my flesh and blood; bu
no such happiness was in store forme.
GAS / entered the room of the blesse
warrior, whose armor was falling from hi
limbs, he opened his eyes and said, Brotl
or Lee Brother Lse bent over hin
and sobbed out, MY pastor - Thel
raising his white hand, he said, in deel
impressive voice, Touch not mine anoin
cd, and do my prophets no harm.
al spoke tenderly to him, and told hi
had come to confess my sin and briu
some of his fruit to him calling my SC
to tell him how he had found Christ
But he was unconscious of all around hin
the sight of my face had brought the la
pang of earth to his troubled spirit.
kissed his brow and told him how dear
had been to me. craved his pardon f
my unfaithfulness, and promised him
care for his widow and fatherless lit
ones; but his only reply, murmured as
in a troubled dream, was, Touch n
mine anointed, and do my prophets
HARM
al staid by him all night, and at da
break closed his eyes.
al offered his widow house to live
the remainder of her days; but, like