The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1900-07-12

projected into the room.
rs sinking rapidly. He was conscious,
weyer, and At Philips quiet question
nccrning his peace with God Il smile
ssed over his face and he moved his
bs. Philip understood him. \ sud
IN thought occurred to Philip. He
ened the basket, took out the bread
ID wine, set them on the small table
ID said:
.pisciple of Jesus, would you like to
hrtake of the blessed communion
ce more before you see the King in
5 glory"
The CLEAN OF satisfaction in the
ans eyes told Philip enough. The
xtou said in n low voice, "Ilc be-
hged to the southern EpiscopaI
urch in Virginia" Something in the
stful look Of the sexton gave Philip
inspiration for what followed.
Brother" he said, turning to the
xton, what is to hinder your bap-
IN and partaking Of the communion?
Is, this is Christs church wherever
true disciples are
Then the sexton brought basin of
ater, and as he kneeled down by the
BE of the bed Philip baptized him
bth the words: 81 baptize thee,
pnry, my brother, disciple Of Jesus,
no the name of the Father and of
e Son and of the Holy Ghost.
men"
Amen" murmured the man on the
ID.
And Philip, still standing as he was.
wed his head, saying, blessed Lord
sus, accept these children of thine,
ess this new disciple. and unite our
arts in love for thee and thy king
I'M as we remember thee now in this
rvce."
He took the bread and said: "'Take,
t. This is my body, broken for YOU
the name of the Master, who said
ese words, eat, remembering his love
u.s."
The dying man could not lift his
nd to take the bread from the plate.
lilip gently pla, IA crumb between
Is lips. The sexton, still kneeling.
took and, bowling his head between
hands, sobbed. Philip poured out
wine and said, "In the name Of the
I'd Jesus, this cup Is the new tesla
lent in his blood shed for all mankind
br the remission of sins" He carried
be cup to the lips Of the man and then
I've to the sexton. The smile on the
ing mans face died. The gray
adow of the last enemy was project
into the room from the setting sun
deaths approaching twilight. The
| IN of the old slave master was going
meet the mother of the man who
| hS born into the darkness OF slavery,
J ut born again into the light of God.
Perhaps, perhaps, he thought, who
knows but the first news he would
bring to her would be the news OF that
communion? Certain it IS that his
hand moved vaguely over the blanket.
1t slipped over the edge Of the bed
and fell upon the bowed head OF the
sexton and remained there as if in ben
ediction. And SO the shadow deepened
and ut last it was like unto nothing
else known to the sons of men on
earth, and the spirit leapcd out OF It's
|clay tenement with the breath or the
communion wine still on the lips of
the frail, perishable body.
Philip rcverently raised the arm ana
laid it on the bed. The sexton rose
and, while the tears rolled over his
face. he gazed long into the countc'
nance of the sou Of his old master. Nc
division of race now; no false and self
ish prejudice here. Come, let the
neighbors of the dead come in to dc
the last sad offices to the casket, FOL
the soul of this disciple Is in the man
sions of glory, and it shall hunger nc
more, neither thirst any more, neither
sail the darkness of death ever again
saite 1t, for it shall live forever In the
iig,t of that Lamb of God who gave
hlnself for the remission Of sins and
the Efe everlasting.
Philip did what he could on such ar
OCCASION. 1t was not an unusual event
altogether. He had prayed by many
poor creature in the clutch Of the las,
enemy, and he was familiar with his
lace In the tenements. But this partic
ular scene had a meaning and left nj
impression different from any he had
known before. When finally he was al
liberty to 60 home for little rest be
fore the evening service, he found him
self more than usually tired and sor
rowful. Mrs. Strong noticed 1t as he
came in. She made him lie down and
urged him to give up his evening serv
Ice.
mo. no, Sarah! I can't do that!
am prepared. must preach! I'll gel
a nap, and then Ill feel BETTER" he
said.
Mrs. Strong shook her head, but Phil
Up was determined. He slept q little
ate a little lunch, ana when the time
OF service came he went up to the
church again. As his habit was, just
before the hour Of beginning. he vsn'