Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-02-03

hand to take the bread from the plate.
Philip gently placed a crumb between
his lips. The sexton. still kneeling.
partook and. bowling his head between
his hands, sobbed. Philip poured out
the wine and said. I'm the name Of the
Lord Jesus. this cup Is the new tesla
ment In his blood shed for all mankind
for the remission Of SINS" He carried
the cup to the lips Of the man and then
gave to the sexton. The smile on the
dying mans face died. The gray
shadow Of the last enemy was project
ed into the room from the setting sun
of deaths approaching twilight. The
son of the old slave master was going
to meet the mother Of the man who
was born into the darkness OF slavery.
but born again into the light OF God.
Perhaps. perhaps, be thought, who
knows but the first news he would
bring to her would be the news Of that
communion? Certain 1t Is that bis
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 II In ben
ediction. And so the shadow deepened.
and at last it was like unto nothing
else known to the SONS Of men on
earth. and the spirit leaped out OF Its
clay tenement with the breath of the
communion wine still on the lips of
the frail. perishable body.
Philip reyerently raised the arm and
laid it on the bed. The sexton rose.
and, while the tears rolled over his
face. be gazed long into the counte-
nance Of the sou Of his old master. NO
division Of race now: no false and self
ish prejudice here. Come. let the
neighbors Of the dead come In to do
the last sad offices to the casket. for
the soul of this disciple Is in the man.
sions Of glory. and 1t shall hunger no
more. neither thirst any more. neither
shall the darkness of death ever again
smite it. for it shall live forever In the
light of that Lamb Of God who gave
himself for the remission Of sins and
the life everlasting.
Philip did what he could on such an
occasion. 1t was not an unusual event
altogether. He had prayed by many
a poor creature in the clutch of the last
enemy, and he was familiar with his
face in the tenements. But this partic-
ular scene had q meaning and left an
impression different from any he had
known before. When finally he was at
liberty to go 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! | can't do that!
am prepared. must preach! I'll get
nap, and then III feel better" he
said. ,,
ip was determined. He slept little.
ate a little lunch. and when the time
Of service came he went up to the
church again. AS his habit was. just
before the hour Of beginning. he went
into the little room at the side Of the
platform to pray by himself. When
he came out and began the service,
no one could have told from his man
ner that he was suffering physically.
Even Mrs. Strong who was watching
him anHiously. felt relieved to see how
quiet and composed be was.
He had commenced his sermon and
had been preaching with great elo-
quence for ten minutes when be felt
strange dizziness and pain In his side
that made him catch his breath and
clutch the side Of the pulpit to keep
from falling. 1t passed away. and be
went on. 1t was only slight hesita-
ton. and no one remarked anything
out Of the way. For five minutes he
spoke with increasing power and feel
ing. The church was filed. 1t was
very quiet. Suddenly. without any
warning. he threw up his arms, uttered
q cry Of half suppressed agony and
then fell over backward. A thrill Of
excitement ran through the audience.
For q moment no one moved; then eV-
cry one rose. The men In the front
pews rushed up to the platform. Mrs.
Strong was already there. Philips
head was raised. Philips old friend,
the surgeon. was in the crowd. and he
at once examined him. He was not
dead. and the doctor at once directed
the proper movement for his removal
from the church. AS he was being car
ried out into the air he revived and
was able to speak.
Take me home" he whispered to
his wife, who hung over him In a ter
ror as great as her love for him at that
moment. 4 carriage was called, and
he was taken home. The doctor re-
manned until Philip was fully con-
sciouS.
1T was very warm, and | was very
tired. and tainted, eh, doctor? First
time ever did such a thing in my life.
am ashamed. | spoiled the service"
Philip uttered this slowly anu feeDly
when at last he had recovered enough
to Enow where he was.
The doctor looked at him suspicious
Iy. You never tainted before, eh?
Well, if l were you would take care
not to faint again. Take good care of
him, Mrs. Strong. He needs rest. Mil
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