The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-07-13
AIHiiE' EE1kl Il',''I, lQNE
Thus they reasoned and concluded.

MNSSZ4sOATlS~Z&- llVN@L/>NO NN>/F
Thus they reasoned and concluded.
&
DEAR MOTHER: 1.-The letter read, }
How l do wish / might be with you
on Easter day-to see the church,
whose precepts you have taught me
to love, dedicated.
But the distance is too great and
my purse too empty. l hope you will
have beautiful day.
From our land of sunshine and of
flowers | send some blossoms which l
hope will reach you in good shape.
If you think best please use them in
| the decorations.
Yours with love,
Anna
P. S. l have told you before that
SAKE Miller is here in the city. 1 saw
him again yesterday-and l thought
how easily he could help lift your
burden of debt; but poor SAKE, I'm
afraid he does not think of such
things any more. A.
SAKE Miller's mail was large that
morning. Gamblers and liquor deal
ers conferred with him by letter, for
his was business dealing with
crooks and rumsellers.
Among his letters was one unlike
the others in outward appearance.
The address was evidently written by
a. oman's hand of the oldfashioned
type. This is what SAKE Miller read
when he broke the seal:
My Son: wonder if it is useless
for me to plead again with you, but
know this-a mothers love is indy
ing, and some way you seem peculiar
ly dear to me these days.
The little town is all alive over the
coming dedication of our new church.
I remember SO wildly your dear ia
theirs zeal in the old church, and
when | think of it, it seems but yes
terday since l brushed your curly
hair and kissed your sweet, fair face,
wondering, meanwhile, if in all your
childish purity you could go astray.
Now, my boy, these gray hairs have
come to me. l am growing old-and
my heart is so grieved through yearn-
ing for you. Come home to
Your MOTHER.
To the calls from the good doctor
for money, responses had come
some large and some small gifts had
been offered. Members had can
vassed and worked, had consulted
and waited for results, but still an
obligation rested upon the people.
1t seemed that the dark hour
through which there would break no
light was at hand. Faces were anx-
ious, yet hearts were hopeful.
At the rear door stranger tarried.
So engrossed were the people with
their own affairs that but few had
noticed him. Now he walked slowly
down the aisle and seated himself
near the platform. In reverence he
bowed his head for few moments,
then arose and said:
81, SAKE Miller, known to you as
stained in character, stand in your
sight and the sight of God penitent
sinner.
Lied by mothers unfaltering love
to belief in the greater love of God,
| have come these many miles to
make to the people who knew me in
my boyhood days an avowal.
Il avow"-the speakers head was
erect and his face flushed with a JOY
Gus light, shat henceforth sever
forever my connection with nefari-
Gus trade and that L give, not my
money, for it is not clean until it has
righted many wrongs, but | consecrate
myself, and l pray God that it may
be new SELF To the church in which
L pray | may again be useful SER
want"
Then the preacher raised his hand
and the congregation arose and led
by him sang as with one voice:
praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise him all creatures here below"
"Amen! Amenl" Came the fervent,
fearful voice of SAKE Miller's mother.
Contributions now came thick and
fast. None were too poor to give; all
were rich alike.
When the dedicatory Scriptures al d
the sentence of dedication had been
pronounced, it was to offer to the
Heavenly Father an unburdened
church and redeemed soul.
LONDON. o.
GEORGE WASHINGTON AND LORD
HOWE.