The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-02-18

He listened with more and more
seriousness, until at length he put
his hand over his face, and exclaim-
ed aloud, "What will become of me
at the day of judgment? Lord have
mercy on me sinner" That PRAYER
was inserted on the Angels tablets.
Oh, may it not stand alone, but be
an awakening of better things! May
God indeed have mercy on such poor
neglected ones as he. and raise up
some to teach them and care for their
immortal souls
Thou art shocked at what thou
hast Observed" said the angel. 81
will show thee greater denominations
than these. God is strong and pa
tient He is provoked every day.
Listen now, and thou shalt hear the
THOUGHTS of all these people; so
that thou shalt have some faint idea
Of the forbearance God continually
exercises toward those who draw
near to Him with their lips, while
their hearts are far from Him."
AS the angel spoke my ears were
deatened with clamOr which would
have been shocking in public meet
ing, but which here in Gods holy
house was aWfully profane. The
countenances remained indeed as
composed and serious as before the
lips moved with the words of prayer,
but the phrases they uttered were of
the world and its occupations.
"How shamefully late Mrs. Slack
always comes ~ said one woman,
who saw her neighbor and a train of
daughters hustle into the next pew.
"What an example to set her family j!
Thank goodness, no one can accuse
me Of that sin !"
New bonnets again already" ex-
claimed the last conner, returning the
neighborly glance from the other
seat, ere she composed herself to the
semblance of devotion.
"HOW they can afford it Heaven
only knows, and their father owing
all their Christmas bills yet, If my
girls look shabby, at least we pay
our debts"
"Ah, there is Tom ST." nodded a
young man to his friend he is
growing quite religious and respect
able, | declare. He has been at
church two Sundays running how
much longer will the deyout fit
Z, ,iaa4-o's A
These were" re"ss ssrffGG39&ing arid Striking
examples of irreverence. There were
happily not many such the invol-
untary wanderings of thought were
more common.
/ was much more interested in q
young couple near me. whose atten-
ton for considerable part of the
service had been remarkable. From
the dress Of the young man, | judged
him to be clergyman the lady
wore deep mourning they were ev-
identity betrothed-they read out Of
one book. Gradually he forgot the
awful presence in which he stood, his
eyes wandered from the Bible to her
gentle face, and fixing there, called
off his thoughts from Heaven. "HOw
good she is," he began to say chow
attentive to her prayers, as to all
other duties What a sweet wife
she will make. How happy an |
to have won her love-" By this
time the countenance of the girl
wore an expression which showed
that she felt the earnestness of his
gaze her eye-lids trembled, her at
. tention wavered, and though she
, looked at the book some moments
: longer, she too. began to murmer Ot
f earthly things, and 7 heard her say
"Oh, how he loves me !-even here
, he cannot forget that / am beside
him." 1t was many minutes before
} either of them returned in spirit tC
, their deyotions,
l AS the service proceeded, the at
t tention of the congregation Tagged
more and more - the hubbub 0
| worldly talk increased. One mar
| composed letter heintended to senC
g and even altered whole passages anC
e rounded elegant periods, without on
: check or recollection of the holy plac,
where he stood. Another repeated ;
Y long dialogue which had passed be
| tween himself and a friend the nigh
e before. and considered how he nigh
a have spoken more to the purpose
n Some young girls rehearsed scene
n with their lovers /; some recalled tn
a incidents of their last ball. Careful
p housewives planned schemes @
o economy, gave warning TO their ser
!. wants, arranging the turning of
4 gown, or decided on the most becom
, ing trimming for bonnet.
f To me, conscious of the recording
f angels presence, all this solem
roOoIyorv Of yuOrSbip v,oc friubtfuI