The Press., 1894-11-15

VIC. T. U. DEPARTMENT.
 (Gisela A. Dittrick, in The Union signal)
 "WhOsO Ofendeth.''
 (Concluded.)
 There were happy, happy days in the weeks and months to come, but none so precious, so hallowed as that glorious Easter morn when the young husband and wife stood before the fower-crowned altar in Ae beautiful old church, and gave themselves for aye to the Lord of Hosts.
 It was very sweet, it was very solemn, and with a great awe Madge listened to the words, "This is my body which is broken for you; eat ye of it." Oh, how good God had been in letting them come together! and she stole loving glance at the earnest face beside her. She watch ed the minister as he handed the sacred emblems to the elders, then-he raised the silver tankard-she caught her breath 1 She saw the flowing stream-and her heart stood still! Oh, God, it was wine, wine! and she had not thought! What should she do? She understood so well now the awful taste, the terrible desire which that cruel father had bequeathed his noble sons, and she knew her husband must not taste that glowing cup! Oh, what should she do! God help her | Why did they have it here; why did they! If Jesus knew, would He not tell them to use water-water. But the cup was coming! Her face grew deadly pale, little moan escaped her, then she rose quickly and softly left the church, follow ed by her alarmed husband.
 1 She had saved him that time! He saw the color come stealing back into the white cheeks, and heard the repeated as- surance that she was "better, much bet ter, and he had no suspicion of the truth it had not entered into his head that there khad been danger for him under that sacred roof. And she rejoiced at his ignorance she would not for the world spoil his joy at his entrance into Gods home. Yes, she had saved him this time-she could not do that again. Were they never to be able to sit down together at the Lords table? There must come time when when the cup would be handed him! Was it right-was it what Christ would do-to put such temptation in the way?
 Perhaps there were others like her bus. band who were fighting the demon ! Would Gods tender hand place to theil lips such cup? No! no! no! her heart told her. Gods people were not so wise -perhaps they had never thought-shoulo she go and tell them? She shrank from the very idea. She could not go to those grave, elderly men, and tell them that they did wrong. They would be angry with her; they would despise her noble husband. She could not. But they wer, christian men, they were nearly all ole gray-haired men, they knew much of life they might understand, and the time wal drawing very near. It was her husband
 And so she went to each one of the as tonished elders; to each she put her little query; she told her little story. simply and sweetly. They all shook their heads they could moi change such custom; i twas Christ's own legacy to the church; i would cause an endless discussion; it ha6 been sanctified by God, and there could be no harm in it.
 Two of the elders with the pastor, sh, found in his study, and when they hat listened to her, one brother said, "Daugh ter, you do wrong to give yourself st much uneasiness. God has said in Hii sacred Word, No one shall be tempted above that he is able to bear.' It will probably be no temptation whatever t, your husband" And then she turned up on them, and her indignation and distress were poured out unreservedly.
 "Not temptation, you think Not temptation When the very blood il your veins cries out for drink! drink When the very smell of the deadly stuf is an exquisite torture. Is not God grea and omnipotent to bless water instead o wine? Would He not do it if He stoo' in your place today? He says, too That no man put stumbling block O an occasion to fall in his brothers way. May God open your eyes," And with strangely sinking heart she left them.
 The next Sabbath, communion Sabbath dawned beautiful and bright, but youn, Mrs. Cummings lay in a darkened room fighting 8 nervous headache, the result o weeks of worry and anxiety.
 As her husband wandered disconsolate ly about the rooms he was glad to see he mother and sister enter the house on thei way to church.
 "Madge with one of her old headaches 1? ; asked the mother, anxiously. Well, IT just take off my things and stay with hel You and Jean can go right along t fchurch., Don't go in, please; it woul only excite her, and she needs to be keI quiet. Go along, men don't know any thing about headaches" And she smi ingly pushed the reluctant young fello' toward the door and hastened to the dir room.
 "Mother, where is Ed ?" was the sue den question after the morning kiss ha been received.
 "Now, my darling, yom just lie quie and see if you can't get rid of this ol headache before noon Eve sent Ed o to church with Jean"
 "Oh, God!" and she buried her whit <8 That's