Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-05-02

1AAASG VIGIL u 6IS VI WCIElICSS TCDreSSGu.
AS though pain slept a little farther back.
HOW young He seems, and yet He seems not
young,
Blu grave and gentle, as if many cares
Pressed on an infinitely loving heart,
The trembling woman knccls before her
judge.
And clasps her hands upon her guilty face.
Never before seemed purity SO pure;
Never before was sin SO horrible.
She did not plead, she knclt there clothed in
An outcast and degraded-weeping knelt,
Waiting = the ). words-"The woman must be
The crowd draws near to hear what Jesus
And silence steals upon the multitude;
The sunlight falls athwart the temple door;
ihrougn open doorway signs the fragrant
The little children patter with soft steps
N quiet corners, knowing not as yet
Lilies tragedy, intense and passionate,
5ut Jesus speaks; the temple grows more
And watching angels thrill with endless love.
Let nm" he says, who knows that he is
Cast first the stone at her" The men look up
Startled a little; then they nang their heads,
And bushes gather on the broWs unused
10 show such color. Slowly, one by one.
Without u word, they stink abashcd away,
LIN Jesus and the woman stand apart.
'Go SIN no more,' de says. And forth she
To mend the ruined beauty Of her life,
- WASH her soul in penitential tears
And ever after with undying love
10 follow Christ, lamenting.
But where is he, the sharer in her guilt?
Inc man whom God appointed as the head,
Inc shield OF woman in her Weaknesses
Mhon she should look upon Ms less than God,
Hut noble, lovable and worthy trust,
1ncapable OF wronging that weak heart
Ihat seeks its strength in meekly loving him.
~ ne not, too, i'll deepest grief and shame,
Eilled 10 Oer1owing with an agony .
mat can not. like the woman's, find relief
IA tears that scorch and dry upon the cheek7
IL ne not, too, surrounded BY a group
dfhat look on him with loathing, holding up
f;l snamed manhood, his insulted God,
The ruin wrought upon another's soul.
heaping upon him singing words of scorn
mat, burning in his ears, awake the sense
Of utter degradation?
a sulnptuOuS feast is spread unon his hoard ~
Aad joyous guests are pledging him in wine.
He's clothed in purple, and the flashing LIGHT
~ diamonds sparkle on his breast and hands;
Aud watching slaves are hanging on his looks.
Ine dancing girls are waiting in the halls
AIN Az t Tyre atn M slstrum to besuile the hour
lips; oo'o ais
Ard Ar conscious laughter ripples on the air,
And friendship merrily accuses him
VI having won q woman from her lord,
Yes, stone the woman-let the man 20 frecl
Jul u 1CSC CQ6y D~erCl0DCe
may touch
Her garments us she passes; but to him
Tut Iorth a willing hand to clasp with his
Shat led her to destruction and disgrace.
smut up from her the sacred ways Of foil
mat she no more may win an honest meal.
But ope to him all honorable paths.
where he may win distinction. Give tn him
Fair pressed-down measures Of life's sweetest
joys. e"ceees'
Pass her, o maiden, with a pure, proud face
- Hn she puts out q poor, polluted palm;
ont Jay thy hand in his on bridal day.
AND swear to cling to him with wifeIv lovo
A,u .ender reverence. Trust to him who led
a to a fearful fate. "o
Yes, stone the woman, let the man 20 free,
Ley one soul suffer for the guilt of two
II ~ Is inc doctrine of a hurried worlS.
100 out of breath for holding balances
nnere rice distinctions and injustfces
Are calmly weighed. But ali, how will r. ha
IN Wh mat strange day, of final fire and flame
Wnen men shall wither with a mystic fear
And all shall stand before the onctr,1a i,doa.
Shali sex make then a difference in SIM "use'
Sha1l nc, the Searcher of the hidden heart
N HIS eternal and divine deccee Ae"t''
condemn the woman and forgive tho NOV.
Irish Monthly.