Year: 1872




The 0utcast.


Who would take her 10, reckless eirl.
with strong tendencies towards evil, weak de-
sires for good, and plentiful stock Of ignor.
ance Ii would not be safe or right TO place
her 10 families Of little children, or. indeed,
in any family where she could tempt or be
tempted. People thought her hopeless, and
she knew IL she wondered sometimes, with
dull curiosity, whether they we're right or
not she would have stopped wondering long
ago, it she had not remembered her Sunday
school teacher.


Miss Ray had taught that girl in the Mis-
sion Sunday school for years, and she cou a
not let her drift away into the horrible life
before her, without doing all in her power 10
hold her back. Again aud again she had
warned and advised poor Sarah and her
strong faithful kindness bad long been hold
ing her waywsrd pupil from degradation.


But now a crisis had come. Sarah had
been turned out of the mill for disregard Of
rules, and no door opened for her. She could
not stay at home unless she had work What
should she DOT Would she 20 to work if
place could be found for her


Yes, I'd CO." said she, with hard, sui
len look, "but you know nobodyd have me-"


"wait two days said Miss Ray, sand
I'll sec what can be DONE" and she sent the
despairug girl away with ray Of hope in
her heart, and sat down to think.
There we're not many families in town who
could well take such person, still, in the
great need of "help," there was hope that
good place might be found for her if the rea.
son Tor an effort were given. The lady rap
IDLY made list, aud set out TO try.


long walk was necessary to reach the
hrst place, but il was so much the most hope
tul that the walk was at once resolved upon.
There were here only two maiden sisters,
Christian people, who might so easily teach
this poor child good ways of working, and
easily keep her out Of the temptation threat.
enng her, that Miss Ray felt almost sure
that they could see the hand of Providence
IN the suggestion, and welcome her poor stray
sheep into their quiet fold.


Introducing her errand in this hopeful
spirit, she was met with prompt and re.
proachful refusal.


4" | couldn't think of it, Miss Ray" said
the elder. "We must take care of our own
character. You know they say Birds Of
feather flock together"


"Such family too" added the other sis
ter. They all drink, and the older girl is
disreputable, aud the boys have been in Jail
ever so many times, and they do say" aud
then followed flood of gossip that sent the
unhappy visitor TO the door for escape.


Miss Ray drew q long breath as she walked
down the street. Well" said she to her.
self didn't know that there was anything
bad that those Herndons wouldn't do, but
know that some of that food Of accusation is
not true and as for my character, don't
think it can need scaifolding built round it,"
and her cheeks burned as she remembered
the significant way in which the ladies' had
advised her " not to 60 to the Herndons any
more"


We have not time to follow our friend
through the frutless efforts Of the day.
Some refused politely, some kindly. some ab.
ruptly, but all refused to take such girl
into any relations to their own daily lives.
The disappointed visitor went home with
headache and a heart-ache, but the rext day
found her ready to start again. Not very
hopefully, this time, the search began all
the best places had been tried, and only one
available house remained. There the family
were composed Of ladies, il is true, but there
were several of them, and an ignorant ser.
want would give great deal of trouble to the
mistress Of the house.


With some nervousness Miss Ray began
her oft-repeated story, and encouraged by the
sympathy with which il was received, told of
the sad condition of Sarah Herndon, and the
.hance Of saving her.


| dou't know about her." said Mrs.
Crandell, quietly. "Do you think she would
really try to do as well as she knows how 7"


:" think she would" replied her friend,
q" but | must tell you that she does not know
how to do much"


| shouldn't expect puch," was the re-
ply; " have had just such girls before. |
will take her on trial, il she will come now.
1t is Ohrist's work"


Miss Ray assured her that she would see
about her coming, and took her leave. Per-
haps she left little abruptly, for there was
lump in her throat, and u shining in her
eyes BESIDES she had to go down to tell
Sarah Of the good home waiting for her, and
hasten her preparation for it,


Sarah Herndon did not spend her life in
that cultured, Christian home but she dill
stay till the dull, sullen look had ightened
on her face, and she had almost ceased to
wonder whether the people were right, who
thought hers hopeless case. Then two chill
drcn joined the family, aud, as Sarah had not
yet improved so much as to be a safe compsn-
ion for them, she was sent away. But, COM
ing from respectable home, she found an.
other aud is no more an outcast.


Sarah may 20 to destruction yet the abyss
is always open to such as she, and it may
swallow her up but. sometime, after what
ever life of sin and shame she will know that
TWO good women held out helping hands to
her in her need, because of Christ, the Mer-
ciful, and she will think, "How good He
must be to all who suffer and SIM"


Mrs Crandel had trial with that GIRL"
her ueighbors said, aud she thought SO too,
but she took it deliberately, willing to do the
work which the Master put into her hands.
for His sake.


What do you suppose Christ thinks about
the character of the women who rejected his
poor. and the women who helped them 7


Sometime we shall hear what he thinks.