The Portland daily press., 1884-02-16
neat and cool that Miss Sarah felt herself

neat and cool that Miss Sarah felt herself
by contrast disgracefully untidy.
She had no doubt that the minister was
about to show his companion the way to the
arbor, and her heart sank at the thought of
being found in such plight. But sudden
~ the stranger paused, and bent to pick
rose of great beauty.
IF we could only be like this rose" she
said, ''as fair within as without"
"You forget" said Mr.. Lawton; show
often we see worms eating into the very
heart of the most beautiful roses"
SIS nothing true, then? Are we never to
be able to put faith in the outward seeming
OF anything or any one?"
"Those who make the l0udest professions
are often the most corrupt" said the minis
ter, "and as l was saying a moment ago,
there are so many, oh, so very many, who
think themselves Christians because they 90
regularly to church, teach in the Sunday
school, use no profane language aud give
literally to the missions. But they do not
think it necessary to guard their thoughts,
to fill their daily lives with little acts of
kindness. Now, you are stranger here,
and are to leave us tomorrow; so | can
speak to you as could not to one familiar
with the people who make up my congrega-
ton. will give you case in point. have
in my church woman of middle age, who
iAFOc @AOhC On q 1al III q COupiC VI lultCS 1iOul
the village. She is very active in church
affairs, is always ready to visit the sick, 60
among the poor or give to a charity. She
has provided for the education of several
heather in Africa, and has taught class of
men in the penitentiary, visited the Jail and
made herself generally useful. But,
nevertheless, she Is selfish, narrow and sor-
did to pitiable degree. She does nothing
without making show about 1t, so as to be
we'll regarded among men. For years she
cherished feelings of enmity toward an only
brother, because. forsooth, he did not marry
to please her, and | was told not an hour
ago that she has declared her intention not
to help in any way that brothers sick and
penniless widow and children. She speaks
of them with bitterness, and even seems to
rejoice that at last they are forced to ap-
peal to her for aid. | was asked to speak to
her on he subject, but she would be highly
insulted, know, il ventured to call her TO
account for her want of charity and natural
affection. She thinks herself Christian,
but in my opinion she is very far from being
anything of the kind. She will come into
church next THU sday night and pray ear
nestly for the forgiveness of her sins, and
for help to walk in the right way. But she
prays only with her lips; her heart has moth
ing to do with it. She thinks and cares on
ly for the outside seeming and"
At this moment little Lula Lawton inter-
rupted the conversation by running down
the path with the announcement that tea
was ready; and the minister said no more.
But Miss Sarah had heard enough. She
was pale and trembling and so greatly dis
turbed that when she hurried from the ar
Dor, as soon as she could without being per-
ceived, she left her pail of berries behind
her.
She met several of her friends on her way
home, but she did not even bow to them, SO
absorbed was she in the recollection of what
the minister had said
Reaching home she sat down in the big
rockingham by the kitchen stove, and lean
ing her chin on her hand stared before her
with eyes from which the scales had fallen
And she was looking inward-for the first
time in her life.
Only the outward seeming, I" she MUIR
INJURED over and over under her breath, as il
the sound of the words frightened her, "and
afler all these years, Pve only just found
out that haven't been a Christian
Contrary to the expectations of Mr.. Law
ton, Miss Sarah did not appear at prayer
meeting on Thursday night; and when be
called to see her on Friday he vas surprised
to lind three curly-headed children making
mud pies in the front yard, who informed
him in q loud chorus that they had ''come
Miss Sarah welcomed him very cordially.
and though she looked tired and warm after
her journey from Milford, she seemed as
happy as possible.
''This is great surprise, Miss Jenkins"
said the minister, as he followed her into the
parlor and took a seat
"Yes, i reckon it'll be surprise TO most
folks. But amt afraid but they'll live
live through it.'
sfT fbi,,lz vo,, mill l1o xron
bringing your sister aud her children here.
Your life has been very lonely one," said
Mr.. Lawton.
"Yes, reckon Pll take considerable sat
isfaction out o. it, and it does seem sort o.
pleasant TO have 'em round. They're we'll
hammered children. Susan's been mighty
particular about them. Did you notice the
boy as you came in? He's the very moral
o. Tom.''
As Mr.. Lawton walked back to the village
he wondered what had walked Miss Jenkins
up to a sense Of her duty. But he never
knew.
Early in the following winter Miss jenkins
invited her pastor and his wife to tea. The
table was well supplied with cake, pickles
and preserves, glass dish of blackberry
jam occupying position just before Mrs.
Layton.
81 am so fond of blackberry JAM" said
that lady, as she helped herself to the arti-
Gle in question, fand I put up great deal
last summer. But the very incest made
was from some blcakbsrres my little girl
found in the arbor in our garden. We neg
er knew who had left them there, but took
it for granted they were meant for us, and
SO took possession of them, pail and all.
Lulu calls it my mystery JAM | have
often wondered if the mystery would ever
be explained
But it never was.