Newark post., 1912-02-21
(Replinted by Request

y
mon lay finished on his desk, and
in the early twilight, well salts
fed, he turned an easy chair to-
ward the open fire and settled
himself to rest. But the mind
never rests, and soon he was bus
lily engaged in counting up the
successes and blessings OF the last
twelve months.
1T has been an uncommonly
satisfactory year, he mused,
but an uncomonly busy one. Let
me see: | have preached at least
one hundred sermons and touched
on every vital question OF the
day
"No, you haven't said a de-
cided voice beside him. Turning
in surprise, he saw sweet Great
ure, angelic in appearance, who
certainly did not look capable OF
contradicting a man so fatty.
"Why, what's this? Who are
you?'
Il am an angel Of mercy
"Eh! Anybody in need or dy-
ing? Did you want me?'
''Plenty Of people are i'll need
and plenty dying, but for none OF
these am | here; but | want you;
get ready for we have a long jour
ney before us.
But 'tis chilly out. I'm tired
and tomorrow after the service
we dine at Judge L's,' remon-
stratcd the man OF God.
Are you d Christian?' asked
the angel.
Most certainly! Why don't
you know that | am minister OF
the gospel. pastor Of st. Lukes !"
YES; and did you not say that
YOU had touched upon every vital
question during the year?'
Il did -
Sir, some of us angels of mercy
have hovered over your pulpit
every Sabbath during that time,
and while you have been dillgent
along some lines, you have never
mentioned in either prayer or ser
mon one Of the most vital themes
in the world. >
4Astoundcd. the good man could
only stare and muttcr:
- NJ hat can ,rpll mean
"Come with me and | will show
You. 1t would do no good for me
to talk. Seeing is believing"
Impelled against his will. the
minister made ready and accom-
panied his guide, who, strangely
enough, conducted him straight
to large livery stable. With
supernatural sight he beheld, as
he passed from stall to stall, the
deformities and diseases that
made life a torture for the major
ity of the poor horses there con
fined. Some were groanlng with
toothache, aggravated by having
Il bit in the mouth all day long;
some could not eat, though well
nigh famished, on account of torn
and bleeding mouths, sore throats
induced by long dusty drives
without water, irregular teeth,
and other ills. Others held up
their feet and moaned with pain.
Shoes put on at haphazard--in
most cases their feet cut to fit the
shoe---cramped them till the pain
was unbearable; nails were ruth
Iessly driven into the quick !;
these, and one poor fellow with Il
hoof half torn off, had been
driven by any and every one who
could pay for their hire.
"And nobody to speak a word
in our defense and we cant speak
for ourselves" walled one, whose
neck was swollen in knots from
the use of the over-drawn check
rein.
And yet there is a class of
people calling themselves Chris
tians, who pretend to give their
lives to helping the helpless and
doing good" said another. who
Shivered so that he could hardly
make himself heard. Here I've
endured untold torture all sum
mer from flies and singing in
sects, my master having cut off
my tail and name, and now they
have clipped all the hair on my
body, and, O, I'm so cold!'
"What did he clip YOU for?'
asked another.
"Style! My mistress is very
devout young woman, and they We
been decorating the church for
New Year 5 services tomorrow
and | had to stand in the wind
my head drawn clear baclI-and