The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-04-14

1c< some keep for them their
best looks, manners and words; some
60 still farther and keep all their piety
for them. Not bit of it do they use
for themselves or their families; it is
never seen on ordinary occasions. and
so is perhaps all the nicer, and there
is all the more of it for company.
Enough of it there surely is, if not Il
surfeit. The visitor is treated to it
with a liberality like that of the West
ern housewife, who, on being told by
her minister that she might put less
molasses in his tea, insisted that if
she made it all molasses it wouldn't
be too good for him.
1t was Mrs. Simpkins' parlor-a nice,
rehgious-looking parlor, very. A mon-
strous great Bible, bound in fine NOR
occo and gold, with purple ribbon
book-mark, a yard long, dangling white
cruci6xes, lay alone in seeming sacred
ness on the marble centre table. Three
certificates Of life-membership in re-
hgious societies hung in heavy gilt
frames upon the walls. No idle orna-
ments or vain curiosities on the what
not, but Divine songs and sacred
hymns, Baxter's Saints Rest, Taylor's
Holy Living and Dying, Howe's Bless
edness of the Righteous-books of ex-
alted piety, that bear their readers
like angel wings to the very gates of
the beautiful city. Beside them were
choice piles of magazines, labelled
"Guide to Holiness"
The air Of the place was still and
solemn, almost holy. Deacon Wilson
felt that it was while he waited there
for Mrs. Simpkins. He took up num-
ber of the ''Guide to Holiness" and
opened it. Perfect Love-" Heaven
Below" Living Below Our Privilege"
he read in the table Of contents.
"What godly woman Sister Simp-
kins isr' he said to himself, and laid
the magazine in place, feeling himself
so far from holiness that the very titles
of the articles were discouraging to
him.
II am glad there are some good peo-
ple," he added, looking around the
room, at The 'parlor Bible" and the
life memberships. Eyes, Sister Simp-
kins is very devoted woman"
Mrs. Simpkins entered with sweet
and placid countenance. and grave,
subdued manner, like one just leaving
chapel service or closet meditation, and
in low. chastened tones, welcomed the
deacon, and assured him of her high
estimate of the privilege of Christian
communion, of the strength she de-
rived from Christian association, the
comfort from! Christian sympathy.
The deacon had barely time to make
a suitable response, when she in
quired:
"And what is the state of Zion,
deacon? What say the watchmen on
her walls?''
The question was general. and the
deacon was safe in the answer:
Few go in al the gates
"And why? Why is it," exclaimed
Mrs. Simpkins. with an air and tone
of touching sclicitude. "WLy must
we wait go long to see the spirit of
God poured out? Surely the fault is
in ourselves. The church is living far
below her duty and her privilege. Too
many Of us are not yet sanctifed.
wholly sanctifed-one with the Lord.
Too many of US still cling &c tbe world.
still have appetite for the feshpots Of
Egypt. We must come out from the
world, and we must not look back"
"Ohv' groaned the good deacon. 81
feel sometimes that am the Achan in
the camp of Israel, the Jonah that him
ders the ship"
'Do you ever read the Guide to
Holiness?" asked Mrs. Simpkins. when
she had fully delivered her opinions
on the condition and duty of the
church. The deacon confessed that he
had not. "It's an excellent work. dea-
con-" said Mrs. Simpkins. with slightly
increased warmth of manner Il can
recommend it with entire confidence.
I have read it three years. and find it
very spiritual. Perhaps You would
like to read it. Take this last :llm-
ber. If you would
THANK you, sister, rot to-day.
Some other time, perhaps
'The work strenuously urges the
doctrine Of entire sarctiication: that
it is the privilege of all Christians.
What do you think of it, Geacon:"
queried Mrs. Simpkins.
"Oh, I don't know" sighed the good
man. "The command is, BE ye holy
as am holy but, oh. dear! sometimes
I'm afraid 1 haven't even been justi-
fed-that after ali, I shall be a cast
away"
I've need faith, faith to lay hold on
the promises" urged the unwavering
Mrs. Simpkins.
"But my life is so poor. sister,"
groaned the deacon. Il come so far
short in every ything. The thing 1 would
not do, do, and what 1 would, 1 do
not"
II believe it is our privilege to live