Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. II Timothy ii, 15.
Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. II Timothy ii, 15.
She said that it would be hard for her to face the world with this stigma of shame on her character; that all those bearing any claim to respectability would scorn her.
The Witch told her that God was judge and not the people, and their lives were not altogether blameless.
God is the judge. Psalms lxxv, 7.He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. John viii, 7.
God is the judge. Psalms lxxv, 7.
He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. John viii, 7.
The woman was undecided, but the better mind prevailed and she accompanied the Witch home, and the next day found respectable employment.
And still the good work goes on.
Reader, I am only narrating a small portion of this woman's work which she found as the days went by to be illimitable.Vice versa.If one possessing this mysterious power was inclined to evil rather than good, what a great amount of wickedness might be accomplished through it. God only knows how much of the good and evil that has been done in the world may be attributed to this hidden force.
Was the famed enchantress of the Nile gifted with this secret to a very great extent, and many other characters of history celebrated in their day for the influence they exercised?
The Witch heard of a murder trial that was going on in court and arousing intense interest, owing to the high social standing of all the parties concerned. She acted on impulse to a certain extent and, leaving her birds at home, started at once for the court-house.
On her way there she turned her attention to a case of street pugilism. A crowd of boys, ranging in age from seven to twenty, had congregated. Two small urchins were fighting; their faces were scratched and bleeding, and the crowd was urging them on to do each other more injury.
These young ruffians made a study of wickedness which is more than mischief, and this element is on an increase the world over.
Yea also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil. Ecclesiastes ix, 3.
Yea also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil. Ecclesiastes ix, 3.
No wonder when they have for examples men in high places who take such interest in prize fighting.
It would be more in keeping with their positions if their minds could aspire to something more elevating. They are ready enough to censure the Spaniards for their bull fights, but are themselves not far in advance when they will encourage this barbarous sport which seems to be gaining popularity.
The wicked walk on every side when the vilest men are exalted. Psalms xii, 8.For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed. Isaiah ix, 16.These are the men that devise mischief and give wicked counsel in this city. Ezekiel xi, 2.
The wicked walk on every side when the vilest men are exalted. Psalms xii, 8.
For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed. Isaiah ix, 16.
These are the men that devise mischief and give wicked counsel in this city. Ezekiel xi, 2.
If they would exercise the spiritual nature more and the animal less they could take no pleasure in such brutish doing.
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other. Galatians v, 17.
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other. Galatians v, 17.
Even the Press takes a hand in it, and devotes whole columns of the papers to explaining in minutest detail the movements of the combatants.
Our Witch was wrapped in thought, but did not forget her work, and in a few moments after she appeared among them the shamefaced crowd dispersed.
When the chief witness against the accused was called to give his testimony there was one among the throng of spectators whose eyes never left his face.
He started in a resolute manner, then wavered a little, and finally broke down in the midst of it and confessed his own guilt. He was the murderer.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Exodus xx, 16.Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another. James v, 16.He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Proverbs xxviii, 13.If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. John i, 9.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Exodus xx, 16.
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another. James v, 16.
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Proverbs xxviii, 13.
If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. John i, 9.
There was a hush like the hush of death in the courtroom while he was speaking. When the crowd passed out, a plainly garbed figure went out also unobserved. The Witch had done her work for the day.
She looked on the cars gliding over the electric road. What of this occult power? And what of her own? Eventually would electricity impel the entire universe?
Had this always existed and was yet to be brought out by masterful minds? Was this the connecting link between God and man? Then it was wisely said in ages past:
How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? Proverbs i, 22.The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way before his works of old.When he prepared the heavens I was there; when he set a compass upon the face of the depth. Proverbs vii, 22, 27.He ruleth by his power forever. Psalms lxvi, 7.In the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. Isaiah xxvi, 4.Take hold of my strength. Isaiah xxvii, 5.Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundation of the earth? Isaiah xl, 21, 22.For my people is foolish; they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding; they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. Jeremiah iv, 22.Understand, ye brutish among the people, and ye fools, when will ye be wise? Psalms xciv, 8.O ye simple, understand wisdom; and ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Proverbs viii, 5.Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs ii, 3, 4, 5.He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures. Jeremiah x, 12, 13.The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork.Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.His going forth is from the ends of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it, and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. Psalms xix, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thundereth, the Lord is upon many waters.The voice of the Lord is powerful. Psalms xxix, 3, 4.The thunder of his power who can understand? Job xxvi, 14.With thee is the fountain of life; in thy light shall we see light. Psalms xxxvi, 9.The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk ii, 14.Who is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand. Psalms cvii, 43.
How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? Proverbs i, 22.
The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way before his works of old.
When he prepared the heavens I was there; when he set a compass upon the face of the depth. Proverbs vii, 22, 27.
He ruleth by his power forever. Psalms lxvi, 7.
In the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. Isaiah xxvi, 4.
Take hold of my strength. Isaiah xxvii, 5.
Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundation of the earth? Isaiah xl, 21, 22.
For my people is foolish; they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding; they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. Jeremiah iv, 22.
Understand, ye brutish among the people, and ye fools, when will ye be wise? Psalms xciv, 8.
O ye simple, understand wisdom; and ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Proverbs viii, 5.
Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs ii, 3, 4, 5.
He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.
When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures. Jeremiah x, 12, 13.
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork.
Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.
Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
His going forth is from the ends of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it, and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. Psalms xix, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thundereth, the Lord is upon many waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful. Psalms xxix, 3, 4.
The thunder of his power who can understand? Job xxvi, 14.
With thee is the fountain of life; in thy light shall we see light. Psalms xxxvi, 9.
The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk ii, 14.
Who is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand. Psalms cvii, 43.
At the resurrection, when the Lamb of God will rule the world as the center of gravitation like the sun, who among us can study mischief in secret when mind meets mind in one common thoroughfare of thought which cannot be divided by land or sea?
As the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. Matthew xxiv, 27.And the city hath no creed of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it; for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. Revelation xxi, 23.The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee; but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself; for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light. Isaiah lx, 19, 20.There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. Acts xxiv, 15.As the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. John v, 21.Ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves.And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live. Ezekiel xxxvii, 13, 14.The dead men shall live together; with my dead body shall they arise.Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust; for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. Isaiah xxvi, 19.
As the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. Matthew xxiv, 27.
And the city hath no creed of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it; for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. Revelation xxi, 23.
The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee; but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself; for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light. Isaiah lx, 19, 20.
There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. Acts xxiv, 15.
As the Father raiseth up the dead and quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. John v, 21.
Ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves.
And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live. Ezekiel xxxvii, 13, 14.
The dead men shall live together; with my dead body shall they arise.
Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust; for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. Isaiah xxvi, 19.
One morning when near a handsome residence the Witch stopped at the sound of a musical instrument. The music ceased and a lady of forty or thereabout answered her ring.
She was surrounded with every luxury, but our Witch soon learned that here, too, was trouble. Yes, another mismated couple.
The lady said that her husband and herself had never lived very happily together after the first few months of married life; and recently another woman had come between them, and her husband, desirous of a separation, was about to commence proceedings for a divorce from her. As for herself it mattered little, but for the sake of her children she had rather it would not be.
Presently the husband came. He was a fine-looking man of pleasing address and unless appearance was deceiving he would do very well if started on the right track.
Here was more work for the ever busy brain.
Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. Ecclesiastes vii, 29.Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed; how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me? Jeremiah ii, 21.
Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. Ecclesiastes vii, 29.
Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed; how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me? Jeremiah ii, 21.
He sat down facing the Witch, and after a little time was conscious of a new train of thoughts. His better spirit moved. Would it not be as well to live the remainder of his life with the mother of his children whom he dearly loved?
What therefore God hath joined together let not man put asunder. Matthew xix, 6.
What therefore God hath joined together let not man put asunder. Matthew xix, 6.
Contract marriage is most suitable for the present age. That leaves the contracting parties on a grade with the cattle and admits of their changing companions whenever and as often as they like without breaking God's holy vows.
And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receive it with good will at your hand.Because the Lord hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously; yet is she thy companion and the wife of thy covenant.And did not he make one? yet had he the residue of the spirit.Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.For the Lord, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away. Malachi ii, 13, 14, 15, 16.If a man put away his wife and she go from him, and become another man's, shall not that land be greatly polluted? Jeremiah iii, 1.
And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receive it with good will at your hand.
Because the Lord hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously; yet is she thy companion and the wife of thy covenant.
And did not he make one? yet had he the residue of the spirit.
Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.
For the Lord, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away. Malachi ii, 13, 14, 15, 16.
If a man put away his wife and she go from him, and become another man's, shall not that land be greatly polluted? Jeremiah iii, 1.
When a marriage is solemnized by the word of God, then no law on earth is justifiable for breaking it; and when a couple truly love each other what but death can separate them? For misfortune of any kind only binds the tie of sympathy more closely.
If this tie was not so easily broken more persons would consider whom they were marrying and what they were marrying for, and if less deception was practiced beforehand, there would be fewer marriages which prove such dismal failures.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? Jeremiah xvii, 9.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? Jeremiah xvii, 9.
We will be done with all this in the resurrection.
In the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. Matthew xxii, 30.
In the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. Matthew xxii, 30.
When the Witch left this pair she was happy in the thought that they would live together on better terms, and be like a re-united family.
Later in the day our Witch was in another part of the city; while walking through an alley, she saw a Chinaman carrying a large basket full of clean clothes that he was returning to the owners. The Witch also noticed several half-grown boys and heard one of them remark:
"Say we take a shot at that heathen."
So with one accord they commenced pelting him with everything available. Their victim tried to defend himself to the best of his ability, but the half dozen boys pounced on him, and in the fracas the clothes were upset into the street.
It was hard to tell how far they would carry their vicious work, which they considered a capital joke, when some one appeared among them who was also at work. Very soon they all left off, not knowing why. The Witch stood near while he gathered up the clothes, which necessarily must be washed over again.
Then she tried to solve in her mind this Chinese problem:
These Mongolians are in a measure obnoxious, but as a rule are peaceable and industrious, which is more than can be said of many other people.
They have few opportunities for making a living in their own over-populous country, but perhaps when they have become more thoroughly Christianized, the race will be less prolific, which would be beneficial to their own nation and others.
Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth. Psalms xcvi, 10.
Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth. Psalms xcvi, 10.
For the more a man leans to divinity the less he cleaves to his animal nature; and what is true of the Chinese applies to other densely populated countries.
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. Romans viii, 5.Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Romans vi, 12.For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever. John ii, 16, 17.
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. Romans viii, 5.
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Romans vi, 12.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever. John ii, 16, 17.
Her mind reverted to an incident which she witnessed in a cemetery. It was the Sabbath and she was walking about in there as she often did on this day, for what more forcible sermon can be delivered than a thinking mind can feel while moving about among the dead?
After a time she was conscious of a disturbance of some kind going on at one corner of the enclosure. A promiscuous crowd had gathered and ere long there came a Chinese funeral train and stopped at the open grave.
Then the crowd mocked them, and by this time it was evident that they had gathered there to have sport at the expense of the mourners.
The children were cutting up all manner of antics, and the parents stood by highly amused at the proceedings. It was almost impossible to conduct the burial rites on account of the confusion made by the mob.
To be sure it was a peculiar ceremony, but some respect ought to have been due the feelings of these sorrowing ones at such a time. These children were wholly undisciplined in the matter of right and wrong; their behavior was like so many young savages.
What were their parents teaching them? To selfishly enjoy the discomfort of others, and this was all, never trying to encourage the finer and better feelings in their natures.
Our Witch did not wait till the ceremony was over. Thoroughly disgusted with human nature, she left the cemetery.
She thought still less of it that night when awakened from sleep by a gang of boisterous picnickers who, full of liquor, were returning home from a day of revelry. Women's and men's voices mingled together in singing vile songs.
How wholly depraved are some natures, and how necessary that these lewd minds should be purified by a closer communion with more spiritual intellects!
When there are seven days in a week and our King only exacts from us the Sabbath it does seem as if He is entitled to that, but where people are confined to employment every day in the week but one, it is hardly probable that the kind Father would object to their having an outing on their one day of liberty out of a week of unremitting toil, if they would conduct themselves properly.
Not in rioting and drunkenness; not in chambering and wantonness. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof. Romans xiii, 13, 14.My Sabbaths they greatly polluted.I am the Lord your God; walk in my statutes, and hallow my Sabbaths. Ezekiel xx, 13.Thus saith the Lord, keep ye judgment, and do justice.Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. Isaiah lvi, 1, 2.If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Isaiah lviii, 13, 14.
Not in rioting and drunkenness; not in chambering and wantonness. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof. Romans xiii, 13, 14.
My Sabbaths they greatly polluted.
I am the Lord your God; walk in my statutes, and hallow my Sabbaths. Ezekiel xx, 13.
Thus saith the Lord, keep ye judgment, and do justice.
Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. Isaiah lvi, 1, 2.
If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Isaiah lviii, 13, 14.
But ere long a few cannot monopolize all the comforts, nor the masses be obliged to struggle hard every hour for the bare necessities of life, for who can defraud his neighbor when all minds will be a unit? and if honesty was practiced to the letter, the good things of life would not be so unequally divided.
The profit of the earth is for all. Ecclesiastes v, 9.Yet ye say, the way of the Lord is not equal. Is not my way equal? Are not your ways unequal? Ezekiel xviii, 25.For every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest, every one dealeth falsely. Jeremiah viii, 10.Their tongue is an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit; one speaketh peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in heart he layeth wait. Jeremiah ix, 8.As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit; therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. Jeremiah v, 27.Behold these are the ungodly who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. Psalms lxxiii, 12.Thus saith the Lord, execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor; and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow. Jeremiah xxii, 3.Be renewed in the spirit of your mind; putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor; for we are members one of another. Ephesians iv, 23, 25.That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us. John xvii, 21.Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Psalms cxxxiii, 1.
The profit of the earth is for all. Ecclesiastes v, 9.
Yet ye say, the way of the Lord is not equal. Is not my way equal? Are not your ways unequal? Ezekiel xviii, 25.
For every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest, every one dealeth falsely. Jeremiah viii, 10.
Their tongue is an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit; one speaketh peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in heart he layeth wait. Jeremiah ix, 8.
As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit; therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. Jeremiah v, 27.
Behold these are the ungodly who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. Psalms lxxiii, 12.
Thus saith the Lord, execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor; and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow. Jeremiah xxii, 3.
Be renewed in the spirit of your mind; putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor; for we are members one of another. Ephesians iv, 23, 25.
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us. John xvii, 21.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Psalms cxxxiii, 1.
Ever on the alert to do good the Witch stopped at a rickety tenement, with nothing to recommend it but a climbing rose-bush, set out by some flower-loving tenant a number of years before, and which twined its long branches in full bloom over one end of the dilapidated structure; it was an illustration of extremes meeting, this perfectly beautiful rose-bush and the unsightly old porch. The landlady did not care to buy a bird, and none of the occupants of her rooms were at home during the day, except one, who poor boy, was always in, and a visitor would be sure to cheer him up a bit, though it would be useless to try and sell a bird there. She led the way up a flight of stairs to the room where a little cripple was amusing himself with a few marbles that he was rolling about on the table by which he was sitting.
He was delighted with the birds, but knew that his sister could not afford to buy him one. He said she was employed up town in a store, naming the business block of a well-known and very wealthy merchant, and he could not go out and play like other boys, and the days seemed very long sometimes.
Yes, thought our Witch, a day must be a long time to this poor weakling with little to amuse him.
She gave him his choice of the birds, and after promising to bring it back in the evening with a new cage which she would buy for him, the Witch took her leave.
A little way down the street in advance of her was a heavy wagon drawn by one patient horse that looked as though it might have seen better days, but now one could numerate every rib in its worn frame.
The driver was beating the poor animal unmercifully. It doubtless had a history, and if allowed speech would tell of a gradual decline, of careful nourishment and little to do in its prime, but when strength and beauty began to wane, of a harder life, and now in old age when attention was most needful, must fall in line with the great majority of overworked, under-fed beasts of burden, and some day when no longer able to hold up the harness, would be taken out and shot.
Our Witch could hear in her mind's ear the rebuke of old:
What have I done unto thee, that thou has smitten me these three times? Numbers xxii, 28.
What have I done unto thee, that thou has smitten me these three times? Numbers xxii, 28.
She watched the man intently for a few seconds, and then his arm dropped to his side. Why this sudden sympathy so foreign to his hardened nature?
The All-seeing Eye must often look down in tenderest pity on this ill-treated animal creation, which is more deserving of His regard than these inhuman beings, who by their cruelty place themselves far below a level with the lower animals.
The Lord is good to all; and His tender mercies are over all His works. Psalms cxlv, 9.Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father is also merciful. Luke vi, 36.The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. Proverbs xi, 17.
The Lord is good to all; and His tender mercies are over all His works. Psalms cxlv, 9.
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father is also merciful. Luke vi, 36.
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. Proverbs xi, 17.
Surely the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is one of the noblest organizations of modern times, and for good work stands second to no religious denomination that has ever existed, or ever will exist.
Her next stopping place was not in a rookery part of the city, but was where wealth abounds. It was just before the noon hour when she entered the palatial home of a many times millionaire and was ushered into the library where he was busy with some papers. "Would you care to buy a bird, sir?"
"I have no time to talk with you this morning, madam." He looked at her uneasily, and mentally resolved to administer a reproof to the servant for allowing these tramping peddlers to enter the house.
The magnetic power was again brought into requisition.
The Witch might have used this influence for her own financial advantage, but was too conscientious for that, and furthermore money was not her aim in life.
Gradually there came stealing into this rich man's brain new thoughts; was he doing right with his boundless wealth? He could not understand why he was just waking up to the fact that he had not.
How many needy ones had he passed by?
Withhold not good to them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Proverbs iii, 27.
Withhold not good to them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Proverbs iii, 27.
To endow some charitable institution at his death, as a monument to his own memory, would hardly atone for neglected duty. Would God hold him responsible for this neglect and bar him from the Kingdom?
Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. Daniel v, 27.Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbor's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work. Thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness. Jeremiah xxii, 13, 17.Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasures together for the last days. Behold the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. James v, 2, 3, 4.Who so stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. Proverbs xxi, 13.Let not the rich man glory in his riches. Jeremiah ix, 23.Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord's wrath. Zephaniah i, 18.Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy. That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute. I Timothy vi, 17, 18.He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoreth Him hath mercy on the poor. Proverbs xiv, 31.As a partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool. Jeremiah xvii, 11.
Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. Daniel v, 27.
Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbor's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work. Thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness. Jeremiah xxii, 13, 17.
Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasures together for the last days. Behold the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. James v, 2, 3, 4.
Who so stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. Proverbs xxi, 13.
Let not the rich man glory in his riches. Jeremiah ix, 23.
Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord's wrath. Zephaniah i, 18.
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy. That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute. I Timothy vi, 17, 18.
He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoreth Him hath mercy on the poor. Proverbs xiv, 31.
As a partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool. Jeremiah xvii, 11.
Faithful to her promise, the Witch purchased a cage, and early in the evening returned to the cripple's abode and was joyfully greeted.
"O, but you are a good lady to think of me, only a cripple boy!"
She felt that it was indeed more blessed to give than to receive (Acts XX, 35) when one could do God a service at the same time.
As ye have done it unto the least of these ye have done it unto Me. Matthew xxv, 40.He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth to the Lord. Proverbs xix, 17.
As ye have done it unto the least of these ye have done it unto Me. Matthew xxv, 40.
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth to the Lord. Proverbs xix, 17.
In a short time the sister came. His face brightened up with pleasure when he told her of the present he had received; now he would have a companion all through the long days.
She was also in a happy mood. The head of the firm where she worked had raised the salary of all his employes, and she was very thankful for her good luck because of her brother who needed more books and toys, for the poor child had to amuse himself the best he could during the day. The Witch returned home. She saw the progress of her work many times after in this millionaire's acts of benevolence which were so liberal as to excite press comment.
Blessed is he that considereth the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. Psalms xli, 1.
Blessed is he that considereth the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. Psalms xli, 1.
Our Witch read of the doings in the old world and was sorry that distance and sea prevented this influence from being brought to bear upon some of the crowned heads, who, born to almost absolute power, showed no mercy to a religious sect, who according to Holy Writ are the chosen people of God. But one alone cannot revolutionize the earth, unless that one be omnipotent.
Some day this persecution must come to an end.
For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land, and the stranger shall be joined with them. Isaiah xiv, 1.Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel. Amos iv, 12.The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly. Zephaniah i, 14.Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand. Joel, ii, 1.But of that day and hour no man, no not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Watch, therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Matthew xxiv, 36, 42.Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the Lord, which I speak unto thee, so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live. Jeremiah xxxviii, 20.Return ye now every one from his evil way and make your ways and your doings good. Jeremiah xviii, 11.And to wait for his Son from heaven whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. 1 Thessalonians i, 10.Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts iv, 12.There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans viii, 1.Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you;Cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double minded. James iv, 8.Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelation iii, 20.I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely. Hosea xiv, 4.Repent ye, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you. Acts iii, 19, 20.If ye thoroughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbor;If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt;Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever. Obey my voice and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people. Jeremiah vii, 5, 6, 7, 23.Therefore, turn thou to thy God; keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually. Hosea xii, 6.Depart from evil and do good, and dwell for evermore. Psalms xxxvii, 27.The redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head; they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. Isaiah li, 11.And it shall come to pass that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem. When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. Isaiah iv, 3, 4.Behold, I come quickly. And the Spirit and the bride say, come; and let him that heareth say, come; and let him that is athirst come; and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation xxii, 7, 17.
For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land, and the stranger shall be joined with them. Isaiah xiv, 1.
Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel. Amos iv, 12.
The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly. Zephaniah i, 14.
Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand. Joel, ii, 1.
But of that day and hour no man, no not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Watch, therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Matthew xxiv, 36, 42.
Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the Lord, which I speak unto thee, so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live. Jeremiah xxxviii, 20.
Return ye now every one from his evil way and make your ways and your doings good. Jeremiah xviii, 11.
And to wait for his Son from heaven whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. 1 Thessalonians i, 10.
Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts iv, 12.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans viii, 1.
Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you;
Cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double minded. James iv, 8.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelation iii, 20.
I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely. Hosea xiv, 4.
Repent ye, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you. Acts iii, 19, 20.
If ye thoroughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbor;
If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt;
Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever. Obey my voice and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people. Jeremiah vii, 5, 6, 7, 23.
Therefore, turn thou to thy God; keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually. Hosea xii, 6.
Depart from evil and do good, and dwell for evermore. Psalms xxxvii, 27.
The redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head; they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. Isaiah li, 11.
And it shall come to pass that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem. When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. Isaiah iv, 3, 4.
Behold, I come quickly. And the Spirit and the bride say, come; and let him that heareth say, come; and let him that is athirst come; and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation xxii, 7, 17.
The Witch did not go about her work the next day, nor the next, for somehow she contracted a severe cold which completely prostrated her, and then pneumonia clutched her throat.
One morning, when the first golden rays of the sun glanced over the sleeping city, they rested in benediction on her death bed. A neighbor, whom in time past she had befriended, was at her side.
She knew that the end was near.
Will this influence stop here? or will it go on and on through all the ages to come?
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. Revelation xiv, 13.
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. Revelation xiv, 13.
Transcriber's Note:Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note. Irregularities and inconsistencies in the text have been retained as printed.The Table of Contents was not present in the original text and has been produced for the reader's convenience.
Transcriber's Note:
Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note. Irregularities and inconsistencies in the text have been retained as printed.
The Table of Contents was not present in the original text and has been produced for the reader's convenience.