Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-02-14

ANY biN'Ni'l 'i'iSS'S
A happy people
And well-rulcd state.
From the Chinese
----------------r
HASTY JUDGMENT.
remember her we'll. She was {
blithesome creature-this Bertha May
nard-as happy as any bird caroling he,
song all the day long. We all loved
her very much, and I, for one, shet
tears OF joy when she left the loGery
paths OF sin, and came out or the Lords
side. l remember we'll the day upon
which she was baptized. Good OLD
Edwards was our pastor then and ]
believe that | never heard him preacl
so well as he did on that morning
Bertha Maynard was just seventeen
years OF age then-a pretty, girlsl
creature, slim and graceful, blue.eyej
and sunny haired. Yet young as she
was, she seemed very much IN earnest
and she was willing to give all to the
Lord; and none, unless Brother Gregg
even doubted her sincerity.
"She is too giddy girl to make Q
good Christian" he said, shaking his
head douhtfully. "i5he has commenced
in the right way, but l fear she will, ere
long, turn back"
"Ihe Lord has power to bring all
into his fold" l said, in a reprovine
tone.
81 know that but I do say that it
takes great stability of character tc
make 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 oi
fashionable friends whom she likes
quite as we'll as she does any of the
brethren or sisters of this church.
Think you she will bear their tempt
ings and remain pure? that she. will
pass through Satans fire and come out
unscathed?'
81 think so,' I returned-3tiil his
words set me to thinking, and L re-
solved to watch the poor girl, and to see
how fur Brother Gregg's words would
provo true.
She had beona member of our church
for nearly year before l noticed any
thing unchristian like in her behavior
1t was one night early in spring that l
happened to be kept at my office by
, business until after eleven o'clock. Al
last, having finished, l closed my books
and putting out my lamp, | stepped
into the street.
Just opposite my office was BurEe's
hall, now all lighted up for grand
ball. l could hear the rich music and
see the magniiicently 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 thom to
his own list. / resided about half q
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 rest = | said to myself,
as l glanced at the dark windows OF The
building. "Ouc and all of the family
are enjoying the blessed boon
sleep!'
But no-iust then a faint light glim-
mered from window. ont in the dark.
ness. Involuntarily l ceased my rapid
walk, and paused before the dwelling,
wondering whether or not any Ct the
family were sick 4; for knew that they
were in the habit OF retiring early.
! l was not left long in doubt; the
window was raised noiselessly, and a
1.-the little figure sprang out. 1t was
dressed in a rich evening robe, and wore
n mask; but for all thatI knew it was
Bertha Maynard.
How swiftly flew the little feet, as she
took her way toward town, while /, like
a wolf seeking for prey, followed on
behind her On, on she went in kind
of feverish heat, pausing not until sko
had reached the bottom of the broad
steps which led to Burkes hall where
she stopped long enough to give a
hasty glance around her, ere she sprang
up them and vanished from my view.
$50, So" mused bitterly. "Brothel
Gregg was right after all, Bertha
Maynard wears a cloak Of religion and
attends masquerade !! Poor, foolish
child must see her tomorrow. Fol
the love [ bear her, l will be kind and
patient, and then il she does not mend
her ways it will be my painful duty to
report her conduct to the church.
Accordingly | called the next day at
the Maynard place. Mr.. Maynard and
his vile were out riding, and Bertha
was alone, as / had hoped that she
would be.
She met me cordially, and her eye.
lids dropped under my piercing gaze
and thought her face wore a guilty
flush.
Bertha, where were you last night p
shall never forget the deathlike
palior that overspread her face then, OF
how she grasped a chair to keep herself
from falling. l pitied her, and ielt glad
that it was only I, of all the church,
that knew of her sin; another might
not spare her feelings as would do.
"Bertie," 1 said more kindly, "Why
did you go there last night? Trust me,
| am your only true friend"
deacon Mar !" she exclaimed, with
sudden energy, "if you are really my
friend, trust me. Do not seek to teal
my secret from me; for as the Lord
lives I meant no wrong -
Her pallid face was raised besechingly
to mine now, and 1 could not find it in
my heart to condemn her. l only
said :
"Bertie, believe you and will trust
on, if you will promise never to go to
such a place again"
81 will promise that readily" she
returned, grasping my hand. 81 want
to do right, but sometimes find it hard
10 tell what is right. l am not as guilty
as you think am, Deacon Mar"
And so the matter was dropped fol
the time, and l, sienced but not con
vinced, lett her. As ut first decided,
made no mention OF the matter to any
one but not feeling quite satisfied with
| L