Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-11-22
Mr.. CLoyER's GIFT

va the prospects of success tnat had
oa.ned in his business this fall. eyes,
3sar.n he said, "we must do something
rnrs1sl by way of Thanksgiving offer
! ;ng this year What shall it be-"
HOW much shall it bt hrst," said Mrs.
Clover
as well as not" -
.brreh re-frescoed and some new carpets
mt in. That stained ceiling and that
goru oath up the center aisle DO distress
Every thing in Mrs. Cloval's house was
fresh and shining. Her eyes were spoil
al at home for shabby things abroad,
swell, I'd ike to beautify the church"
said Mr. Glover. Ill speak to some of the
committee after prayer meeting and tell
them what We propose"
"Nill they let us?"
aLet Us? Well, guess So"
And let Us have some choice about
colors and carpets, hope"
"Oh. you'll sec; you'n have 1t all your
own way"
Mrs. Clover looked beaming In fact,
Two very happy people went TO prayer
meeting that night.
Nice folks" said Ebenezer Grist, the
sexton, as he saw them pass up the aisle;
abut sometimes there's a leetle of the
strut and crow about 'em, too"
Indeed, good Mr.. Glover was that min,
ute meditating a little Thanksgiving
speech in The meeting, which perhaps
might have the echo of the "crow" only
too audible in it for captious ears.
But the speech never was made; for he
had not been five minutes in meeting
before there came some words ont of the
New Testament which seemed to pull his
heart right down from its place of iubila
ton and stick it full of thorps. A shadow
fell over sis rudy face, and his wife, who
did not n the least understand it, i'm.
mediately reflected it in her own.
The words which had this unhappy eff
feet we're these:
Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to
the altar, aEd there remembered that
thy brother hath aught against thee,
leave there thy gift before the altar,
and go thy way; first be reoonciled to thy
brother, 3ud then come ana offer thy
gift"
Aud there sat, across the aisle, nearer
Che door, bat still within reach OF every
uneasy side glance, brother who had
something against Mr.. Clover. 1t was
only poor old Deacon Simon. His face
vas thin and severe; his hands shook; his
hair was white; his clothes were shabby.
lie had been made deacon because OF his
burning zeal; but the severity of his
spirit had not made him popular in the
church. ii g was often at odds with his
brethren. He scented heresy in every
breeze. lie mourned over a church
whose members sometimes allowed dane
Ing and card playing instheir homes, and
even took drives on Sabbath. Poor
Deacon Simon, who often stood alone
testliyiug for old ways of righteousness,
a1d whose sensitive spirit was so rasped
by the Indifference with which his testi-
mony was received!
Only last month he had objected to a
children's October Sunday where there
Should be autumn leaves and kindred
iu7olihes brought into church. Then
Brother Glover, who looked so good ma
'utod, cut had a choleric temper of his
own upOn occasions, had fired up and
spoken hasty words to the good deacon,
words az rude as blow. They had been
received in silence; they had never been
apologize d for; there had been little in
.5ielursa between the two men since.
u won't apologize" said Mr.. Glover
Low ,u himself. 81 told nina the truth,
and lo'hing else would lave stopped his
'es, luu served our turn
III ting brother have aught against
,1se -hHmmed the unwelco ne words IN
bis mind.
vas going 20 spoil good thing.
"e "9g!du't star hand or loot in this
church ii -omebojy didn't put down his
lautesrlae spirit. I'm glad did 1T
'lt thy brother hath aught against
.oee epeated the echo.
hod no basiness TO lay IL up against
meg Hs ought TO thank me for telling
1'n tle downright truth"
Leave there thy gift before tho altar"
repeated memory again.
o.'a good thing because l ion't
s's.- au Old curmudgeon like that!'
t.-s 1e recOuciled With thy brother"
't tine 'uexor6bie verse.
SIS no such tainR! Might as we'll
y. ?. ae rvcOncued with gu old bear.
amer. no use wasting words with him"
laea-t5en come and offer thy gift"
t.lag -pshsw! What fool | am!
-a heard word DR.. Parsons has
.7sl sy'ug. Now who's going to offer
t-s.- Dssr!-if it isn't Simonw
a--a were few Of the customary greet
VS. .at@een the Cloysrs and theirneIgh-
'g' "aen the meeting was over. With
~ 9-llug TO see any member of the
u business COMMITTEES, Mr.. Glover hurried
-.allsug out of the church. His wife
e- Ao time in asking for an explaus-
.a. I'm al upset; I'm such fool!"
What is it?"
Knew he would have to tell her in
sa- aud besides it was really q relief
Inn 20 DO 80. She asked some close
lions Tell me Just what you said, .
@s ae-4aded.
81. ne said We were just teaching the
T.-'sn 70 make play ont of worship.
J made me mad, and says I: Deacon
y Jou'd been there when they
,sas TIE children for Christ to bless
nave been one to rebuke them az
l fate That's just your spirit
s.l taroughr'
aat did be says"
NlI word thoryh he kt,4ar as.Laa