The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-09-14

| any woman ought to exhibit toward
one who had wronged her husband, de-
MED me admittance to his chamber.
| She said, and the words were arrows to
my soul. He may be dying, and the
sight of your face might add to his an
gulsh.' Had it come to this said
to myself, that the man whose labors
had, through Christ, brought me into
His fold, who had consoled my spirit
in terrible bereavement, and who had,
till designing men allenated us,
been to me as a brother-that man
could not die in peace with my face be-
fore him? God pity me- I cried
what have done?' l confessed my
sin to that weak woman and implor-
ed her for Christ's sake, to let me kneel
before His dying servant and receive
his forgiveness. What did I care then
whether the pews by the door were
rented or not? I would gladly have
taken his whole family to my home
forever as my own flesh and blood, but
no such happiness was in store Tor
me.
GAS I entered the room of the blessed
warrior whose arnor was falling from
his limbs, he opened his languld eyes
and sad, Brother Lee, Brother Lee ~
/ bent over him and sobbed out my
story. Then raising his white hand he
be said in a deep Impressive voice,
Touch not mine anointed, and do my
prJp'4e.s no harm = I spoke tenderly
to him, calling my son to tell how ne
had found Christ. But he was uncon-
scious Of all around; the sight of my
face had brought the last pang of earth
to his troubled spirit.
Il kissed his brow and told him how
dear he had been to me. / crayed his
pardon for my unfaithfulness, and prom
ised to care for his widow and fatherless
little ones, but his only reply, murmur-
ed as if IN a troubled dream, Touch not
mine anointed, and do my prophets no
harrn.'
81 stayed by him all night and at
day-break closed his eyes. I offered the
widow house to remain in the remain
der of her days, but like heroine she
said. L freely forgive you. But my
children, who entered deeply into their
fathers anguish, shall never see me so
regardless OF his memory as to take any
thing from those who caused it. He
has left us with his covenant God, and
He will take care of u.s.
"Well, sir, those dying words sounded
In my ears from that coffin and that
grave.
"When I slept Christ stood before
my dream saying, Touch not mine an
ointed, and DO my prophets no HARM
These words followed me till I fully
realized the esteem in which Christ
holds those who haye given up all
Tor His sake, even if they are not per-
feet
"And since that day, sir, have talked
less than before, and have supported
my pastor even it he is not "a very ex-
traordlnary man. My tongue shall
cleaye to the roof of my mouth and my
right hand forget her cunning, before
1 dare put usunder what God has join
ed together. When minister's work
is done In place, believe that God
will show it to him. will not join you,
sir, in the scheme that brought you here
and, moreover, il hear another word
of this from your lips, I shall ask my
brethren to deal with you as with those
who cause divisions. would give all
l own to recall what I did thirty years
ago. Stop where you are, and pray
God, ii perchance the thought of your
heart may be forgiven You"
This decided reply put an end to the
newcomers efforts to ge: minister who
could make more stir, and left him free
to lay out roads and build hotels.
There Is often great power in the lit
tie word ''Ne," but sometimes 1t re-
qsiires ct little courage to speak it
50 Tesolutely as did the silent deacon.
Selected.
ROBBED THE GRAVE.