The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-09-20
HOW WILLIE WORKED IN THE VINEYARD.

Ma, I would like to work in the
vineyard today" said Millie McFarley
TO her mother one gloomy November
day
Work in the vineyard, Mile. What
could you do in the vineyard? Look at
the weather This is not the time of
year TO work among grapes"
Mile smiled at her mothers mention
of grapes. and went on to explain what
the minister had said in his sermon last
Sunday about working in the Lords
vineyard. And 1 know he meant me,
Ma. because he looked right at me when
he said it. and I felt like standing right
UP and asking what l. Millie McFarley,
thirteen years old. could do here in
Philadelphia in the Lords vineyard.
Now I am asking you, Ma. that same
question, and if you cannot answer I
will ask Miss Haines, she talks so beau
tifully of God and heaven every Sunday.
Ma, may 1 ask her? Maybe she knows
what kind Of work 1 might do in the
lords vineyard" Yes, ask her, Millie,
she knows better than 1 do 1 am going
to the city this afternoon. I will drive
by her residence and you may accom-
pany me-
Mrs McFarley was a wealthy widow
Of about forty, and Mile was her only
child, gentle and pious. But Mrs Nc
Farley was the reverse. a gay and fash
iOnable woman Of the world, with no
thought Of her soul or the life beyond.
And it was a puzzle to her why MilHe
should go to Sunday-schooI every Sun
day and talk so seriously of the divine
things heard at the house of worship.
She never censured her, she never en-
couraged her: and while Mile coaxingIv
pleaded with her mamma to accom-
pany her to Sunday-school she would
say, Nurse Brown will go with you.
] cannot go today. must rest" If Mrs.
McFarley had probed the matter she
would have found Nurse. Brown at the
bottom of Miles piety
Still Nurse Brown had an easy task to
impress Mile with the Savior's love
Mrs. Brown held full sway in the mag
nificent home in the suburbs, while Mrs.
McFarley was busy with the world and
neglected her child. The result of Mil
lies call on Miss Haines was that she
would gladly find her work in the Lord s
vineyard. Miss Haines said, Every
Saturday afternoon at finds me at the
City hospital cheering and speaking
words Of consolation to suffering human
fly 1 find there. And L shall be glad to
have you go with me today; your bright
face will perhaps be a change to the
poor invalids who see nothing but sad
ness and suffering" In an hour MiIie
was walking beside Miss Haines through
the long white halls Of the hospital; and
she saw many looks of gratitude on the
thin, wan faces as Miss Haines's hand
was passed over aching broWs, and she
sympathizingly inquired after their
health. Sometimes she would quote a
Few Of the Savior's promises to the sin
sick soul and commend them to His
love. At last they paused beside the cot
of patient called Blind Elnora," who
Millie noticed had her eyes bandaged.
The moment they stopped one Of the
patients exclaimed, What a lovely little
girl Miss Haines has with her today"
Blind Elnora' instantly asked Miss
Haines 70 please bring her lovely little
girl near her, for she said. "Once 7 was
lovely, too, and 1 love beauty STILL though
/ cannot see.'
Mile came near her. and as Blind
ElnOra felt over Miles face and head
her hand came in contact with Miles
long golden braids, and the tears fell
thick and fast down her ernacfated
cheeks as she exclaimed, "Oh, WHY am
/ blind; why am T thus afflicted T am
nothing but trouble to myself and
othersi Miss Haines, can Won exnIai,,
why people are thus afflicted. and bv
just and loving God? / do not see why 7
am bereft OF my sight. Just because my,
hair came In contact with a Iamp in a
ball room and nearly swallowed me m
Is that just2" 'Enora. the love Of God
Is not In your soul; we cannot see as He