Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1885-06-18
Wasn't Wanted There.

She was little old women, very
plainly dressed in black bombazine
that had seen much careful wear. and
her bonnet was very old-fashioned,
and people started at her tottering up
the side Of the grand church, evidently
bent on securing one the best seats,
for great man was to preach on that
day, and the house was filed with
sp,endidly dressed people who had
heard of the fame OF the preacher, Of
his learning, of his intellect and good
ness, and at the presumption of the
old woman. She must have been in
in her dotage, for she picked out the
pew of the richest and proudest mem
Der Of the church and took seat.
The three ladies who were seated
there beckoned to the sexton, who
went over TO the intruder and whis-
pered something, but she was hard of
hearing, and smiled little withered
smile, as she said gently:
"Oh, I'm quite comfortable here,
quite comfortable here"
aBut are you not wanted here"
said the sexton pompously. There
is not room. Come with me, good
woman; will see that you have a
seat"
"Not room!'' said the old woman,
looking at her sunken proportions
and from them at the fine ladies. ~
rode ten miles to hear the sermon to-
day, because"
The sexton took her by the arm,
and shook it in polite, underhand
way, and she took the hint. Her faded
old eyes filled with tears, her chin
quivered, but she rose meekly, and
left the pew. Turning quietly to the
ladies, who were spreading their rich
dresses over the spot she left vacant,
she said gently:
"I hope, my dears, there'll be
room in Heaven for US ALL
Then she followed the pompous
sexton to the rear of the church,
where, In the last pew, she was seated
beside. thread bare girl and shabby
old man.
"She must be crazy" said one Of
the ladies in the pew which she had at
first occupied. "What can an ignor-
ant old woman like her want to here
Dr.-preach for? She would
not be able to understand word he
said"
e.Those people are so persistent.
The idea Of her forcing herself in our
pew! Isn't. that voluntary lovely?
There's DR.. r.--coming out Of the
vestry. Isn't he grand?"
"Splendid! What stately man!
You know he has promised to dine
with US while he is here"
He was q commanding looking
man, and as the organ voluntary
stopped and he looked over the vast
crowd of worshippers gathered in the
great church, he seemed to scan every
face. His hand was on the Bible,
when suddenly he leaned over the
reading desk and beckoned to the
sexton. who obsequiously mounted the
steps to receive mysterious message.
And then the ladies in the grand pew
were electrified to see him take his
way the whole length of the church,
to return with the old woman, whom
he placed in the front pew Of all, its
occupant making willing room for her.
The great preacher looked at her with
a smile Of recognition, and then the
service proceeded, and he preached a
sermon which struck FIRE from every
heart.
"Who was she?" asked the ladies
who could not make room for her, as
they passed the sexton at the door.
"The preachers mother" replied
the functionary in an injured tone.
How few remember that "while
man looketh on the outward appear.
ance, the Lord looketh on the heart. "