Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-04-17
KE|'S BANNER

y ~ ~o~'' - - - way oSA SsA0 ACAA3 PAopnA
atory to his pilgrimage to the Sunday
school. .
Mr.. and Mrs. Judd lived at L., a
small town in western Illinois. They
were poor; but in spite Of this misfor-
tune, if such it may be termed, they
were decidedly rich in the possession OF
afanily heirloom, which had been hand
ed down from generation to generation
with unbroken faith. It was an old
saying. s&s.< & 4
"The Judd family are noted for their
extreme piety." s..
It was the oft-repeated expression Of an
aged Methodist minister, rugged pio-
neer in the Church militant, who, in his
journeyings in those early days, had oft
and again been the welcome guest at
the hearthstone of many representa-
tive of this remarkable family, whose
name, it seems was legion throughout
the wide scope Of country in which this
patriarch was wont to labor.
And this, his favorite expression, re-
peatcd in the experience meeting, on
the camp ground, and around the fes-
tai board, became of history, and as the
Judd family passed from one generation
to another this religious appellation
chung to them, and followed the family
name like benediction.
The grand old prelate has long since
been gathered to his fathers, and ere
Ike Judd. who, this bright Sunday
morning, is receiving his additions with
grief, shall have reached his majority,
four score and ten winters will have
swept the autumn leaves over that old
mans grave.
And thus, curly in life, greatly to the
sorrow Of his loving parents, Ike had
sounded the keynote of revolt. He
was never born to go to church or
Sunday school either, for both we're
the same to him. Both were a terror
to his young heart, and even as he grew
older the feeling of aversion to places
Of divine worship grew upon him.
Certainly, here was break in the
golden chain. Was impossible that Ike
Judd, sole heir to a sacred heirloom of
generations, would cast away and ig-
more his birthright? -
But Ike was q dutiful son, and,
though he regarded Sunday schools and
churches with terror, nevertheless at
tended with mediocre regularity.
Atschool he was fairly ight, sur
passing many Of his older companions
in their studies. At work or play he
was earnest or diligent Taking it all
in all, Ike was far from being q ;"bad
boy" But he Twas never born to 20
to church." ~
AS he grew older his distaste in, this
regard seemed to grow upon him. He
could not bear to hear the teacher tell
the Same old stories OF how bad little
boys were punished, while good little
boys died early and, of course went to
Heaven. He once took book from
the Sunday school library which was
so full of horrible stories that he could
not sleep for whole week without hay-
ing dreadful dreams. But a, too gem
erous portion of fruit cake may have had
something to do with them. We don't
exactly know. !,
The long sermons "made his bones
ACHE" as he often said So his parents
at last gave up trying, and Ike was free
to 60 or not, as he chose. But it was,
sore affliction to these worthy people
At last the time came for Ike to leave
his home and seek his fortune else
where. To how many thousands of
other boys has this time come? So one
bright September evening Ike babe the
old home and his parents an affection
ate farewell.
"You will write to me, Ike, and I
know you will be good; but won't you
promise me to go to church or Sunday
school sometimes?" whispered his moth
or. 4la's, ~ f.,
Eyes, mother I'll write often, and
we'll, III 60 to church, TOO, sometimes.
Good-bye!"'
And he was gone, and out into tho
world. ~, 49,
It is needless for us to follow our he
TO through the sundry and manifold
vicissitudes he encountered in his pill
grimage, His battle with the world
differed little from that Of other young
men who started just as he did.
First, an odd job here; another there
then nlenial's position at mental s
salary; then something higher and bet
ter, till in q few short years we find that
Ike is an experienced telegraph Opera
tor ON great line of railway running
through the West. :@Ss
The place at which Ike was stationed
was an important railroad centre, and
his position was one Of Importance and
trust. He soon became quite popular
with his employers, and especially with
a large number of railroad men who
made the city Of G. their headquar-
tiers. "a. zs 5sssss s..s' ~ &
In all these years that Ike had been ad-
sent from home he never forgot his mo-
Their. He often wrote to her, and his as
surance thath occasionly attended di-
vine worship, together with the report
that he was" doing we'll, filed the hearts
OF his parents with great Joy. How little
did they know that their most earnest
prayers were, in time, to be answered
One bright Sunday morning. IS Ike
was strolling over the beautiful city,
his attention was attracted to process
; sion composed Of young people, who
were marching into church near by.
Their leader bore II his hands staff
from which foated q gorgeous banner
Of white silk exquisitely embroidered,
and which bore these words: BE ye
faithful unto death!" Instinctiyely join
y snn, athn. 4hrnnn nf nhildran that was