Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-06-26
Wnsn't Wanted There.

She was n little old woman, very
plainly dressed in black bombazine that
had seen much careful wear, and her
bonnet was very old-fashioned, and peo-
pie stared at her tottering up the side
Of the grand church, evidently bent on
securing one of the best seats, for
great man was to preach 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 they
were amazed at the presumption Of the
old woman. She must have been in her
dotage, for she picked out the pew Of
the richest and proudest member of the
church and took seat. The three la
dies who were seated there beckoned to
the sexton, who went over to the intru-
der and whispered something, but she
was hard of hearing, and smiled little
withered smile, as she said gently:
"Oh, Tm quite comfortable here,
quite comfortable here"
But you are not wanted here" said
the sexton pompously. "There is not
room. Come with me, good woman; |
will see that you have seat"
Not rOomu ~ said the old woman,
looking at her sunken proportions and
from them TO the fine ladies. IL rode
ten miles to hear the sermon to-day, be-
CAUSE"
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 quiv-
cred, 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:
81 hope. dears, there'll be room in
Heaven for us ALL"
Then she followed the pompous SEX
ton TO the rear of the church, where,
in the last pew, she was seated beside
threadbare girl and a shabby old man.
"She must be crazy" said one of the
ladies in the pew which she first occu-
pied.
"what can an ignorant old woman
like her want to hear DR.. preach
for? She would not be able to under
stand word he said"
"Those people are so persistent. The
idea of her forcing herself into our
pew! Is not that voluntary loyelyG
There's DR.. coming out OF the
vestry. Isn't he grand?"
"Splendid! What a stately man
You know he has promised to dine with
us while he is here"
He was a commanding-looking man,
and as the organ voluntary stopped and
he looked over the vast crowd OF wor-
shippers 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 Obsequi-
ously mounted the steps to receive a
mysterious message. And then the la
dies 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 occupants 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 appearance, the
Lord looketh on the heart"