The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-02-14
The Deacon's Story.



happy as any bird earoling
her song all the day long. We all loved /
her very much, and ], for one, shed tears
of Joy when she left the flowery paths
of sin and came out on the Lords |
side. / remember well the day upon
which she was baptized. Good old |
Edwards, was our pastor then; and
never heard him preach so well as he did
on that morning. Bertha Maynard was
Just seventeen years Of age then, a pretty,
girlish creature, slim and graceful, blue
eyed and sunny-haired. Yet young as
she was, she seemed very much in
earnest, and willing to give all to the
Lord; and none, unless Brother Gregg,
even doubted her sincerity.
''She is too giddy girl to make a
good Christian" he said, shaking his
head doubtfully. "She has commenced
in the right way, but | fear she will, ere
long, turn back"
''The Lord has power to bring all into
His fold, l said, in a reproving tone:
81 know that; but | do say that it
takes great stability Of character to
make a good Christian. Now, we all
like BERTHE, who is petted and spoiled
child, used, young as she is, to all kinds
of dissipation, and with score Of
fashionable friends whom she likes quite
as well as she does any of the brethren
or sisters of this church. Think you
she viii bear their temptings and re-
main pure? that she will pass through
Satan's fire and come out unscathedW
81 think SO" ! returned-still his
words set me to thinking, and / resolved
to watch the poor girl, and to see how far
Brother Greggs words would prove
true.
She had been a member Of our church
for nearly year before | noticed any
thing unchristian like in her behavior.
1t was one night in early spring that l
happened to be kept at my Office by bus
mess until after eleven o'clock. At last,
having finished, / closed my books, and
putting out my lamp, ] stepped into the
street.
just opposite my office was Burke
Hall, now all lighted up for grand ball.
l could hear the rich music and could
see the magnifcently dressed ladies as
they glided through the dance; and /
sighed as thought of the many ways
Satan had of enticing poor mortals from
their maker, only to add them to his own
list. | resided about half mile out of
town, and my way lay by the Maynard
place
"Sweet little BERTHE is sound asleep
and not wasting the hours which God has
given us for restw | said to myself, as
/ glanced at the dark windows of the
building. "One and all Of the family
are enjoying the blessed boon--sleepp
But no--just then faint light glim-
mered from window, out in the dark
ness. Involuntarily ceased my rapid
walk, and paused before the dwelling,
wondering whether or not any of the
family were sick; for | knew that they
were in the habit of retiring early.
was not left long in doubt; the win
dow was raj ,ed noiselessly, and 1.-THE
little figure sprang out. 1t was dressed
in rich evening robe, and wore mask,
but, for all that, | knew twas Bertha
Maynard.
How swiftly flew the little feet as
she took her way toward town, while /,
like n wolf seeking for prey, followed on
behind herl On, on she went in kind
of feverish haste, pausing, not until she
had reached the bottom of the broad
steps which led to Burke's Hail. where
she stopped long enough to give hasty
glance around her, ere she sprang w
them and vanished from my view.
$50, So" | mused bitterly. Brother
Gregg was right after all. Bertha May
nard wears cloak of religion and attends
a masquerade Poor, foolish child
must see her tomorrow. For the love
bear her, | will be kind and patient, and
then if she.does not mend her ways, il
will be my painful duty to report hel
conduct to the church"
Accordingly called the next day al
the Maynard place. Mr.. Maynard anc
his wife were riding out and Bertha was
alone, as | had hoped that she would be
She met me cordially, and her eye
lids dropped under my piercing gazt
and | thought her face wore a guilty
flush.
Bertha, where were you last night 2
| shall never forget the death-lik,
pallor that overspread her face then, O
how she grasped chair to keep hersel
from falling. pitied her, and felt glat
that it was only l, of all the church, tina
J knew of her sin; another might not spar
her feelings as / would do.
Bertie," / said more kindly, ''wh,
did you go there last night" Trust me
am your only true friend"
Deacon Mari! she exclaimed witt
sudden energy. +" If you are really m,
| friend, trust me. Do not seek to tear m,
secret from me; for as the Lord lives
mean no wrongp
Her pallid face was raised beseechingl,
to mine now, and / could not find it il
! my heart to condemn her. l only said
" BERTHE, | believe you and will trns
on, if you will promise never go to sucl
place again."
will promise that readily" she re
! turned, grasping my hand. II want I,
do right, but sometimes / find it hard I,
tell what is right. am not as guilty a
you think am, Deacon Mar"
And so the matter was dropped for TIL
time, and |, silenced but not convinced
left her. AS Tat first decided, | mad
no mention of the matter to any one
but not feeling quite satisfied with eithe
myself or her, kept close watch Jpoi
her movements, staying purposely GU
late at night, whenever any kind Of sin
full amusement WAS poinp on In town 4,