The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-06-03
SELECTED STORY.


cushion tassels aquiver. Deacon Smull
had snored his hymn book off his lap,
and the noise of it's fall recalled that
worthy to his senses in time to pro-
nounce a sonorous Amen" as the di-
vine took his seat.
The soft breath of spring, odorous of
freshly-turned fields and budding trees
came through the open windows stir
ring the fororn-looking feathers on
Mother Hepson's ancient bonnet and
coquetting with the prim little culls
that adorned Miss Simpsons meek
forehead.
The simple language of the plain,
practical sermon, given, as ii seemed,
under divine impulse, touched the
hearts of the Dumford people, as
fowery figures and elegant rhetoric
would never have done.
The pious hush that followed the
chorus of Amens seemed conducive to
spiritual meditation, and the air of
sanctity penetrated even to the corner
where Tommy Tidball was entertaining
select audience of three shock-headed
imps by twisting his none too beautiful
face into horrible grimaces. AT the
proper juncture, however, Tommy's
mobile countenance took on a most
lamblike expression of innocence, while
his less accomplished admirers by their
half-suppressed snorts drew on them
selves the frowns and black looks of
their scandalized elders.
The quaker-like quiet was soon dis
PEELED by Silas Bonny, who rose and
beamed at the audience over his spec
taces.
Brother Bonny was neat little man,
whose round bald head seemed trying
to outshine his glossy shirt-front, and
whose remarkably long nose did its
best to atone for his very short legs.
But he was cody man for all that
and a Jealous worker in the Lords
vineyard.
Brethren and Sisters" he began,
"the Lord has ministered unto us this
morning through this faithful servant,
Brother Dotson, and it remains to be
seen whether or not we profit by it.
The text says, Lay aside every weight
and the sin that doth so easily beset
you.' AS the good brother has said,
We are prone to become 30 lukewarm
and careless in our spiritual lives that
our pet sins lose their hideousness and
become as virtues in our eyes We
are thus hypnotized, as it were, by the
powers of darkness. feel this morn
ing that it is time for us to overhaul
the gardens of our souls and root out
the poisonous weeds that may be flour
ishing there.
" If there be one person here this
morning who feels that he has no be-
setting sin, let him RISE" A conscien-
tious old brother standing near the
door suddenly sat down. "Little good
will it do, my brethren, to preach and
never practice" Tommy Tidball's
irreverent finger was instantly leveled
at the speaker and as quickly with
drawn, not, however, before his three
companions had well-nigh choked with
pent-up mirth, and an animated pillar
of the church, in the form of Brother
Watts, soon planted his portly form in
their midst.
81 hope you will wisely consider this
matter, and freely express your minds
concerning it," The brother carefully
adjusted his coat-tails and seated him
self with due solemnity.
A moment of silence, then the min
lister spoke. Let us hear from
Brother Smull," he said.
A covert smile lurked in Silas Bon.
ny's eyes and twitched the corners of
his mouth, as he remembered the Dea-
cons peaceful slumber during the SER
mon.
But the good brother was not to be
caught mapping second time. Clear
ing his throat and expanding with i'm
portance, he rose to his feet
swell, brethren, for my part, be-
lieve it is our duty to get rid of these
devilish traits, that is-um-er-I mean
the traits of the devil these sinful
, traits" be ended confusedly, almost up
set by the Mortified looks that assailed
him.
: Brother Bonny was smiling in ear
: nest now, and the Deacon experienced
, most unchristianlike desire to kick
+ him, but satisfied himself by looking
} him straight in the eye and saying:
GAS we are so blind to our own faults
and imperfections, why wouldn't it be
: good idea to point out each others
J failings? In brotherly and Christian
, like way, you understand with 8
! comprehensive wave of his hands.
= = Nettled by the Deacon's self-satis6ed
a air and covert intimation, Brother
g Benny could not forbear casting 6
d stone; for though neighbors and broth
: grudge between them which flashed
5 into life at the least friction.
g 81 do not agree with our brothe
that it might be well to point out eacf
: others faults. The Bible says: judge
not, lest We be Judged and l fail t.
see the benefit of being picked Il
pieces by one who is as deep in thu
mud as we are in the mire," he finished
with more candor than charity.
Here the preacher arose and said:
dearly beloved, here is food TO
thought, and as duty compels me T.
leave you at once, in order to I'll
another engagement, trust you will
give this subject your grave consider
alton at your class meeting which con
venes Immediately after this service
AT my next regular appointment wit
you hope to hear favorable repor
of your labors."