The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-03-06

pie A Free Seat, A Free Hymn Book, A
Free Salvation. Mr. Sampson at $780,.
Thus the large bill on the door of the
Bempton Street Mission. The facts We're
stated in bold characters The hall keep
er's eldest son Qifth standardD was respon-
sible for the execution, and by using for
pen and ink a piece of smooth fire wood
and pot of backing, he had succeeded in
imparting to his letters, to the capitals in
particular, well nigh the dignity of print.
Have it so that he who runs may read"
Mr. Sampson had directed at the close
of the morning school The language of
course was figuratve 1t was not the hab-
1T of the Bempton Road people to run any
where, and had they felt disposed to break
custom, Sunday afternoon was the very
last time they would have selected for the
outburst
Mr.. Pope had just fixed up the placard.
and was walking backwards, with half
closed eyes, to study the effect. eff that
don't bring EN- in tonight" re said aloud,
nothing won't do 'em any good"
1T amt bin put up strife voice re
marked from his elbow. Mr.. Pope turn
ed round. A threadbare man was leaning
abstractedly against lamppost
whats the matter with it them" he
growed discouragingly.
THAT sides too Ugh" said the loafer,
indicating with the stem OF clay pipe to
what he referred
The complaint well founded. For
tunately the paste was still wet. and it
took Mi. Pope but few seconds to rectify
the mistake
"Wot's hon?" the stranger vouchsafed to
Inquire.
"Carn't you read?" snapped the hall keep
er. Although he had accepted, he had not
forgiven the dirty mans criticism.
"A free seat. A free i'm book. A free
salvation. Rawther thick, amt it?'
That's what it's meant to be. So as it
can be read long way Off" explained Mr..
Pope. His good humor had quite returned
at the opportunity to play the Snowman to
his sons handiuor
lar / doan mean the writin'; but all that
ben free
you 'ad better join us this evening, my
friend, ard see for yourself" said Mr. Pope
unctiously. You'll find one or two inside
'ool give you 'arty shake of the and"
And a fat lot of good that I'd do me-
Mr. Jarman retained his position against
the lamp post. "They give everything free
he reflected aloud-''im book and all
Bowed if | can where the ketch comes
in" He moved away at last, but the ques-
ton continued to trouble him. He was
lettering along Bempton street as the people
were fiockin8 to the evening service, but it
was 70 minutes later before he himslf enter
ed, and was shown up the flight of narrow
steps that led to the large school room. The
place was crowded to the doors, but the
minister caught sight of Jarman hunting
about for a seat and beckoned him to the
platform. A good many envious glances
were directed towards the stranger as he
pushed his way to the front, for to listen to
the gospel from the platform in Bemp-
ton street circles distinction of some val
ue There was a general impression and
even the most radical evangelsts were una
BILE to shake it off. that evidoers We're To-
Gated exclusively in the body of the hall.
If there is any sinner here tonight" they
fro
portunity is afforded him to come to his
right mind whilst the friends upon the plat
form are singing the next hymn. Jarman
found seat Immediately behind the speak
err. In close proximity to him were cou-
pie of silk dresses, and a shiny hat, brim
upwards lay temptingly near his feet.
Mr.. Sampson, pastor and superintendent,
was an oratorcal genius who trifled with
a greengrocers business in the intervals of
evangelistio toll. His fame by
means confined to the region of Bempton
street. At revivals in all parts of London
his services were in request, and but for an
unwillingness to earn q livelihood from
what was to him a labor of pure love, his
worldly position might have been cOnsidera-
bly, enhanced. He put the interests Of those
to whom he mnistered before everything,
and he expected his audience to do the same,
for he combined a life free from selfishnes9
with an oratory that had not a single gener-
Gus appeal To frighten or bride one lot of
wanderers into the fold, and then to turn
his attention Immediately to another batch
was his plan of operations-which he be-
leved had only to be adopted a sufh-
piently general scale to inaugurate mil
lennium. Finally Mr. Sampson possessed the
rare gift Of being able to drop his by acct
dent.
Jarman listened to the evangelist, and as
he did so, impressions began to form Lem
selves upon his mind He was in q position
of deadly peril. All the sins that he had
over commtted-there were good many
were to be visited upon him with hideous
veverity.
He tried at first to comfort himself with
the notion that the speaker was trying to
'kid him." but Mr.. Sampson turned his face
towards the platform for a second, and the
heather knew that it was not thus men
look that play the fool. The sentence might
be lodged. How. was not clear yet put
Jarman was now listening intently and de-
termined to find out. Ere long the speak
er's note changed. The threatenings of the
law were laid aside for the entreaties OF
the gospel. A free pardon was offered to
everyone present, to the wickedest and
most ignorant, and with it such happiness
In this world and the next as no unsaved
soul had ever dreamed Of. And you will
not have it." he exclaimed with passion
ate gestures: your salvation, to purchase
which God died In agony you will not SO
much as stretch out a hand to accept.
evening. couple of senior scholars, hob
bledehoys, who had been under influence
for some weeks, were understood to have
got religion during the singing Of the clos
ing hymn, and the stranger who had been
accommodated with a seat upon the plat
form seemed unwilling to go away. That
was all. The pastor took the simple cases
first, and disappeared with the two youths
into an adjacent class room. 1t was more
that 20 minutes before they reappeared,
Mr. Sampson triumphant and the senior
scholars making a noble attempt to look
entirely pleased with what they had done.
They shook hands shamefaoedly with their
captor, and left in hurry. Then Mr.
Sampson turned towards the stranger.
'Did you wish to speak to me?' he in
Quired, courteously.
Yes, sir" said Jarman, with some awk-
wardness. THAT OFFER you spoke abart
'eaven and all that, I'll take IT.
Mr.. SIMPSONS eyes glistened.
''There is only one way OF salvation" he
said; you know what that is"
Jarman nodded.
where, then, does your difficulty come
In about at once accepting it?':
There amt none.'
The evangelist was at loss how to pro-
coed. 'Shall we have word of prayer to-
gether?' he said.
Mr.. Jarman made no objection, and when
they arose from their knees both seemed
to regard the transaction as complete.
If you doan mind should like us two
to shake 'ands over this ERE" said the
convert