The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-06-14
REMsHAw's JuDoMEnr DAY.

RENsHAw's JUDGMENT DAY.
 tOpie P. Read, in Texas Siftingsl
 Everybody despised old Abe Renshaw. His soul of steel and his heart of flint never struck of a generous spark. He was so close-6sted that-common saying in the neighborhood his hand closed on a dollar it melted forever from useful circulation. A kind visitation of death, for which she had often prayed, removed the poor wife from an associa- ton 90 odious, and his only child, girl, ill-used from childhood, ran away, went 10 the city, and mingled with the gilded crowd of shame. Once . woman, who with several small children, was found in a starving condition, said that her ex- sreme adversity was brought about by Renshaw. who, for a triflin4 pasturxee debt, had seized her GOV. AS old age grew upon this man, shaking his foot steps and benofng his ungainly form, the fear of death became to him more and more terrible. In tremulous dread he barred his doors at night as though death gained entrance by forcing iron bolts. and. stingy as he was, kept lamp burning at his bedside, as if the chiil whisperer always came in the dark. He believed in a he'll of actual fire. Strange that the worlds most depraved men nearly always do. His weskness of body turned to strength of fear. Aslast, pon- dering over while the lamp of light holds out to burn, the vilest sinner may return," he decided upon repentance With bis skinny forehnger, he traced the bibles lines of promise, and in his un- skilful and curved way-not a bow of promise-he wrote petitions for pardon.
 My only hope" he unused one night, IS to become a preacher. have seen many an old preacher totter cheerfully to his grave, and if go into the pulpit and tell people of my misspent life, the Lord cannot in justice withhold His mercy from me"
 The people were greatly surprised to hear that old Renshaw contemplated de- voting the rest of his life to the ministry, and not few regarded the announce ment as joke, but when it became known that the old man was building a church, every one was convinced, though no one expressed faith in his sincerity. Even in the construction of the church, Renshaw showed the paw of parsimony. tor he tore down a stable, and used the old logs.
 A man in passing one day, remarked
 "So, MT. Renshaw, you have decided to preach"
 ''Yes, brother, and the thought of it has given my soul more econtentment than it has known for many day"
 " Do you think you have been called on to announce the principles of Christ ?"
 Every man, brother, who has desire to do good unto n an has been called"
 Unto his fellow man, yes but SUD- pose the man for whom he desires good, be no other than himselff''
 Old Renshaw regarded his questions for moment with an expression not be- speaking ease. and replied
 " It is for the Lord to judge ard not for man to insinuate. Wait until you hear me preach and then sit in judgment on my motives l tell you, brother, that there is an awful he'll"
 hope so," the man replied.
 Don't say that Let no one infer that you desire an endless torment"
 But l do desire it for those who de- serve it. believe more in the goodness Of God than l do in the power of the devil, and though have not publicly de. clared my intention of following in tke footsteps of the meek and lowly, yet have no fear of that awful hell At the thought of which you stand so much aghast. By the way, if ,ou would show your faith by your works. don't you think that you should have chosen better ma- terial for your church than the logs of an old stable p
 Brother" replied Renshaw in rather sharp retort. '' Christ was born in a man. | ger cannot the people receive the second | birth in house built from the logs of | stable?
 '' So far as the influence os she xosee, i IS concerned the man replied. "one house is as good as another, but, to tell | you the truth I don't believe there will | ever be much gospel heard in your church. Good day"
 A large congregation, actuated by cu- riosity, assembled to hear old Renshaw preach. Little boys who many a time had scampered from the old mans orchard, and little girls who had many and many time been frightened to bed by the mention of his name, could not understand why they were brought to see him. The day was intensely warm, and ere the congregation had crowded the church, dark clouds came over, while the distant glimmer and runbling boom, told of an approaching storm. When old Renshaw entered the house, a pro- found hush settled upon the audience There were no smiles of welcome, no of hands. The lightning, lurid in its nearness, flashed through the door, way, and seemed to sweep the floor in fiery anger, while the thunder with roar, iarred the old logs of lhe house. Old Renshaw entered the pulpit. Lightning danced on the single pane of glass forming the window behind him; Raising his hands, he said:
 There came . vivid Hash, dsafening clap of thunder as though the magazines of love had blown up. Old Rsnsha aw. with his hands still raised, fell forward, dead pennlN 1ookad ae e~rh cth>, .,