The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1885-06-12
WASN'T WANTED THERE.

She was a little old woman, very plainly
dressed in a black bombazine that had seen
much careful wear, and her bonnet was.
very old fashioned, and people stared at
her lettering up the side of the grand
church, evidently bent on securing one of
the best seats, for a great man was preach
ing on that day, and the house was filled
with splendidly dressed people who had
heard of the fame Of the preacher, of his
learning. of his intellect and goodness, and
wondered at the presumption Of the old
woman. She must have been in her do
tage for she picked out the pew of the rich
est and proudest member of the church
and took a seat. Tho three ladies who
were seated there beekoned to the sexton.
who bent over to the intruder and whisper
ed something. but she was hard Of hearing,
and smiled a little withered smile, as she
said gently
sob, I'm quite comfortable here, quite
comfortable here
But you are not wanted, " said the sex
ton, p~ompously. ''rIere is not room.
Come with me, good woman: / will see
that you have a seat.
mot room,'' said the old woman, look
ing at her sunken proportions and from
them at the fine ladies'. Il rode ten miles
to hear the sermon to-day, because
The sexton took her by the arm, and
shook it in a polite under hand 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
quickly to the ladies, who were spreading
their rich dresses over the spot she left va
cant, she said gently:
Il hope, my dears. there1I be room in
Heaven for ii all"
Then she followed the pompous sexton
to the rear of the church, where, in the
last pew. she was seated beside a thread
bare girl and a shabby old man.
.'She must be crazy, said one of the
ladies in tie pew which she had at first
occupied. ''What can an ignorant old
woman like her want to hear Dr.
preach for. She would not be able TO un-
derstand a word he said
Those people are SO persistent. The
idea of forcing herself in our pew. Isn't
that voluntary lovely. There's DR.
coming out of the vestry. Isn't he grand -
Splendid! What a stately mani, You
know he has promised to dine with us
while he is here
lie was a commanding looking man,
and as the organ voluntary stopped and he
looked over the vast crowd Of worslippers
gathered in the great church, he seemed
to sean every face. His hand was on the
bible, when suddenly he leaned over the
reading desk and beckoned to the sexton,
who obseqaiously mounted the steps TO re-
ceive a mysterious message. And then the
ladies in the grand pew We're electrified to
see him take his way the whole length of
church, to return with the old woman.
whom he placed in the front pew of AL, its
occupants making willing room for her.
The great preacher looked at her with a
smile of recognition. and then the services
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 pass
ed the sexton at the door.
THE preachers mother, . replied the
fnnctionary in an injured tone.
How few remember that while man
looketh on the outward appearance, the
Lord looketh on the heart"