Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-10-09
rHEBoY LAUGHED.
A Man Whose Idea OF Salvation Made
Life Burden.

severe religionist His idea was that
love for Christ shut out from. the soul
every sgleam Of mirth. No soft tights
played upon the faces OF his hearers
Persons who believed bic awful theo-
ry would often shrink in fear at bis
lurid pictures of torment. The faces
OF the Sunday school children grew
dark whenever. he entered the room.
A smile would Instantly vanish like
q suddenly extinguish light.
"Children," !" said Mr. Wegnell one
Sunday morning. Il heard some one
laugh JEST now. 1t was very wicked
10 violate the Lords day ID that man
ner. The Lord has his eyes upon you
all and those of you who turn the
Sabbath into a jubilee shall be made
to feel the wrath of insulted Jeho- 1
vah.1
This is an extract from one of bis
sermons preached on the occasion of
arevival meeting. THE vapors ris-
ing from scalding hell pervade this
house. Those who come forward and
kneel at this bench may escape dam
nation but those who linger amid the
false pleasures of this world must
feel the whitening breath of a trium-
phant devil.v
There were many people in the
neighborhood who believed Wegnell's
doctrine and who thought that be
was one of the greatest preachers that
ever lived, but bis wife cduld not, in
justice to herself. share such belief
The neighbors said that Mrs Veg
nell was not happy woman, and
some insinuated that she was not
good enough for him.
One Sunday morning Mrs. Veg
nell said that she did not feel well
enough to go to church.
Wegnell put down cup of coffee
which be had just raised to his lips,
stOrnly looked at his wife and asked
Mary what do you mean 7"
Il mean that do not feel disposed
to go to church to-day
"Why this sudden rebellion ?" be
asked as be frowned at her.
1T is not rebellion / washed
all day yesterday and am really too
tired to CO."
You will never be too tired to
die, Nary
Il hope not
"Whatln be exclaimed.
Il say that / hope p
II know what you said, and | also
know that you are becoming wicked
woman. just as long as you can
hold up your head it is your duty to
listen to the gospel"
Il wouldn't mind listening to the
gospel-good news-but am tired
of listening to magnified woe. In
none of your sermons do you make
use of a pleasant expression, and /
always feel worse when hear you
preach"
Wegnell arose and left the break
fast table. With a troubled air he
walked up and down the gallery.
Then, re-enteriDg the dining room,
he said -
Il am sorry to know that you have
announced yourself as candidate
for torment"
Well, +" replied the woman without
looking up. II am confident of one
thing. The change will be SO slight
that it will not be necessary to change
clothing
The preacher gasped. Have you
lost your mind 7" be exclaimed.
"Mr. Wegnell. please go away and
leave me alone. You have ever been
so anxious about saving my soul that
you have made my life miserable
You found me when / was happy
girl.n 81
The preacher. smothering bis rage,
replied: II found you when you
were gay, sinful girl. You seemed
not to realize your awful condition. /
pitied you and have attempted to
save y0p, and now, after all / see
you are blind 70 the welfare of your
| soul
well / hope that you will not let
| it further concern you. This 60 me
must lie Q day Of rest. GJ on to
church and permit me to remain ct
home.v
MARY, ron must accompany me. /"
Z cannot
DO not tell . lie, woman You
can.
"WelI then, win not
nYou shall. "
AS the preacher rode alone, be
said to himself. perhaps / ought
not TO have slapped her, but then she
should hare understood her duty"
| 4 little child climbed On to fence
and laughed.
Yon little sinner,n sid the
x4ammhnr sxYanad hekenr O. nravinn