Year: 1874

| Mr.. Seward was n sort of standing medi-
ator Of church difficulties in this county.
Contending parties in those disputes and
| troubles which destroy harmony and
brotherly love in churches would often
mutually seek his mediation, and such
was their confidence in him that each
party would accept his advice and settle
apparently irrecOneilable quarrels and
| difficulties.


! An amusing incident was once the re-
suit of an appeal to him in one of these
church difficulties which had for a long
time threatened the destruction of a Pres
| byterian Church in a neighbOring town.
At last it was decided to submit all these
difficulties to Mr.. Seward, and that his
decision should be entirely conclusive.
He consented to become the umpire for the
parties, gave them patient hearing, and
promised TO send them his decision in
writing. In due time he arrived at a de-
cision. reduced it to writing, and enclosed
it in a letter to one of the leading members
of the church.


At this time Mr.. Seward was the owner
of farm in another pare of the county
which was occupied by tenant, to whom
he wrote at the time be was about to mail
his decision in the case Ofthe church. In
directing the letters the one intended for
i the church was directed to his tenant,
while the other intended for the tenant
was sent to the church. 1t was duly re-
ceived by the proper officer, and the MEM
bers of the CON- ngregation assembled TO hear
the decision of Mr.. Seward which was to
heal all difficulties and dissensions.
After calling the congregation to order,
the Moderator, in appropriate language.
explained the object of the meeting. II
hold in my hand,'' said h., "a paper which
| am about to open and read to this assem-
bly,, which is, have no doubt, the olive
branch that is to restore harmony and
prosperity to this church and cOngrega-
ton. 1t comes from one who, though a
lawyer. loves the Lord and is peacemak-
er" Then breaking open Mr.. Stewards
letter, he read the following:


:" YOu will take particular care of that
old. dangerous black bull, who often at
tacks people when not aware of his pres
ence. and sometimes plunges at them
openly. and you must carefully see to the
repair of the fences, that they are built
high and strong, and also see that the
water in the spring is always kept pure"


There was a mystery about this advice
that greatly puzzled the whole assembly,
who for long time sat in profound silence.
The Moderator stood like one bewildered.
Presently, however, he recovered himself
enough to say:


" Brethren, I-I-don't exactly-that is
to say, II can hardly see how this applies
to our case. Suppose we have a season of
PRAYER over it and ask the Lord for instruc-
ton"


Accordingly the congregation knelt,
while several of the leading members fer
vently addressed the Throne of Grace.
When the people resumed their seats one
of the oldest, most esteemed and piOus
members of the church arose.


Brethren" ;" said he, nothing can eX-
ceed the wisdom of Mr.. Stewards decision.
| have no doubt the Lord directed him
when he wrote it, for it is just what we
need, and l know it will restore peace and
harmony among us. Look at its great
wisdom. The direction to keep the fences
in repair is to admOnish us to take good
heed i'm the admission and government of
the members of this church. We must see
to it that only those who are regenerated
are admitted into our fold. The direction
to keep the spring open and pure means
that we must not let our faith, our love OF
God, and our love for each other get cold
and clOgged, and our daily walk and con-
versation corrupted by the weak and beg
CARLY elements of the world. And we
must, in particular manner, set watch
full guard over the devil-the old, danger
Gus black bull. who often attacks us when
we are not aware of his presence, and who,
with his long horns, plunges at us openly,
and who has made many savage plunges at
this church in particular"


These remarks opened the eyes of all the
people present to the wisdom and enlight-
ened piety of Mr.. Stewards decision. 1t
was unanimously resolved to abide by it.
and peace, good will and prosperity were
restored to the church, brOtherly love took
The place of hatred, and piety increased.
Nearly forty years have passed away since
this remarkable decision was received by
that church. Its organization has been
continued down to the present time with
uninterrupted prosperity.


What effect Mr.. Stewards letter had on
his tenant has never been known.-Bench
and Bar of NelC York.