Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-03-27
NUMBER 13.


steadily upon II for half minute;
then. replacing the sheet. he kneeled
down by the side OF the rude bed and
prayed God for mercy.
20 Lord" he groaned In his remorse,
'1ay not the death Of this man to my
chargew Yet even as he prayed, he
could not drive back the thought which
chased across the prayer: Il am this
mans murderer | issued the order
compelling the Sunday work. ! refused
a week ago to inspect the retorts which
were declared unsafe. on the ground
that II was not my business. | COM
pelled this man TO work under the fear
OF losing his place II he refused TO
work. | compelled him to work on the
one day In which God has commanded
all men to rest. |, Christian by pro-
fessIon. member OF the church. man
OF means-l put this man In deadly
peril upon n Sunday In order that more
money might be made and more hui
man selfishness might be gratihed.
did IL And this man once saved my
life. | am his murderer. and no mur.
derer shall inherit the kingdom OF
God"
SO the wretched man prayed there by
the side OF that cold body. Yet the
world today goes on with men In high
places who have IL In their power to
change the conditions that exact Sun
A.. toko. s-apn thousands ~ uaarv
men and drive the commerce OF the
world across the continent at the cost
Of that priceless thing. the soul OF
man. In order that the owners OF rail-
road stock and the men who get their
salaried living from II may have more
money What. Is IL not true that every
Sunday In this land Of Christian homes
and hearts many and many well fed,
sleek. self satisfied. well dressed man,
with high salary and well established
social position. with luxurious home
and money ID the bank. goes TO church
and sits down In a softly cushioned
pew to listen 20 the preaching or the
gospel. while within hearing distance
freight thunders by upon the road
which declares the dividends that
make that mans wealth posslble2
On those trains are groups OF coal be
grimed human beings who never go In
side a church. who never speak the
name OF God or Christ except In an
oath. who lead lives that are as desti-
tute OF spiritual nourishment as des-
ert OF sand and rocks and who are
compelled TO labor contrary TO Gods
everlasting law OF rest in order that
man may have more TO feed his body
and indulge his passions! Do not tell
US II is necessary labor IL Is labor for
the making Of more money. IL does
not need to be done. The community
could dispense with II, and In the sight
OF God IL Is wicked use OF human
flesh and blood and souls. and the
starved spiritual natures Of these men
will come up at the judgment day be-
fore the men who had IL In their power
TO say. Not a wheel shall turn on
these tracks Sunday even II we don't
make little more money" Money or
souls! Which is worth more In the
thought OF the railroad corporationI
Let the facts make answer.
Mr. Hardy did not know Just how
long he kneeled there In that bare
room At last he arose weariedly and
came out. but his prayer had not re-
freshed bin. The surgeon glanced at
him inquistiyely, but asked no ques-
tions. The sick woman was In a state
Of semIconsciousness Mr. Hardy's
.ook. her sister. sat llStlessly and wota
out by the side of the lounge. The sur
geon rapidly gave directions for the
use Of some medicine and prepared to
go Some OF the neighbOrs called, and
the surgeon let two Of the women come
In. Just as the two men were going
out together. Slr. Hardy still absorbed
In his great desire TO do something Of
Importance for the mother and her
children, his minister Mr.. Jones, ap-
peared.
He looked surprised at seeing Mr..
Hardy. inquired the news Of the doc
tor and at once asked II he could see
the poor widow. The doctor thought Il
would do no harm. Mr. Jones whisper
ed to Mr.. Hardy:
"She was a faithful member Of our
church, you know"
Ir. Hardy did not know IL. TO his
shame, he confessed. This sister OF his
In Christ had been member OF the
same church. and he had not even
known H. II she had happened 10 sit
on the same side OF the building where
le sat, he would probably have wonder
ed who that plain looking person was,
dressed so poorly. But she had al
. ways sat back on the other side. being
one OF a few poor women who had
been attracted into the church and
been comforted by Mr. Jones simple
pIety and prayers.
The minister kneeled down and said
q gentle word TO the woman. Then. as
/ IL In reply TO low voiced request he
began prayer OF remarkable beauty
| and comfort Mr.. Hardy wondered as
he listened that he could even have
thought this man dull in the pulpit
J He sat down aud sobbed as the prayer
went on and took TO himself the conso-
lation Of that heavenly petition. When
Mr. Jones rose. Mr. Hardy still sat
with his bands over his face. The sur
| geon was called out by some one. Then
! the minister. after making arrange
ments with the women who had come
In for the funeral of Scoyllle. started 10
90 out. when Mr. Hardy rose. and they
went away together.
"Mr. Jones'" said Mr.. Hardy as they
walked along. Il have an explanation
and a confession TO make. haven't
time to make II now. but | want to say
/ that have met God face to face with
In the past "a hours. and am con-
scious for the first time In years OF the
intensely selfish life | have lived.
need your prayers and help. And |
! want to serve the church and do my
duty there as have never before done
II. ! have not supported your work as
I should. want you to think OF me
this week as ready TO help In anything
| In my power VIII you accept my apoi-
ogy for my contempt Of your request
week ago1 ! will come into the meet
ing Thursday night and help in any
way possible"
Mr. Jones eyes filed with tears. he
grasped Mr.. Hardy's hand and said
simply: Brother. God bless you! Let