Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-03-08

no one knows that more sadly than your
minister, but at length, even in this life,
your happiness will come out of your
grief or difficulty, the word Will be
spoken, the key handed you, and in the
illumination of your content the path he
hind you will be made plain. In that
light how ungrateiul our mUrmurings,
how wicked our rebelliOnl Let us strive
for that perfect submissiveness which
shall finally be rewarded by the peace
that passeth all understanding"
His audience could not make the per-
sOual application; they only saw that his
elOquence had from some source gained
higher note.
Even Rose only marveled at her broth
er 8 words, which seemed TO her inspired.
She hal often heard him preach since her
arrival, but to night he seemed to weave
a spell about her. she listened notion
less, and when he lad done released her
self from its influence with a sigh of
pleasure.
AS Mr. Keator came down the pulpit
stairs she endeavored TO catch his eye,
and when she had succeeded gave him
look of restrained joy and pride. He
came to her at once aud they went ont to-
gether. In the courtyard without, among
the choir houses, they stood in the snow
watching the brethren and sisters emerge
from the church, each with a lighted
waxen taper in his hand singing, "Hark
the Herald Angels Sing" OMendelssohn's
music. The candles illumined the snow
in patches and threw their moving shad-
ows on it's glittering surface. The groups
dividing and making avenues OF light
among the gray old buildings sang as
they went to their several chOirs, and
they heard the sound fading and then die
quite away, save in the sisters house
from within, which the clear r, joicing So
pranOs we're borne unanimously as they
stood listening in the darkness:
"Hark the Herald Angels sing,
Glory to the new born King"
Rose took her brothers. arm and they
walked Slowly home. Occasional can
dies in the hands Of the married brethren
went pickering down the freshy-whiten-
ed street. In the keen air the FOOTBALLS of
the two Cut the new-lallen snow with q
sharp, cruuching sound which went
echOng down the silent road. Mr. kea-
tor paused to button his WglI-WOrn great
coat about him. The numerous charities
and good works Of the church to which he
loved TO give from his slender stipend
kept sim poor, and his own clothing was
the l:st 1liBg which he considered.
Rose mad cHdeayorc1 TO induce aim 70
buy a new great coat when they We're in
Philadelphia, but he had gently refused.
This does very we'll" ne had said; but
he told himself that he could not afford
both the fresh household decorations and
the coat, and it was not in his heart to
deny her the innocent purchases she had
planned.
As he folded the garment more tightly
about his slim ii cure and grasped his
crutch he drew her arm closely within
mis-.
John, do you often preach like that?"
she asked.
Il don't know. Did it help yOu2'
YES, and 1t must have helped others.
That Is the kind of sermon, | fancy,
which reaches everyone Did you see old
Sister Zelda lean over and SHAKE hands
with me at the end? She wanted me to
thank you for 1t. 1t seemed 20 speak to
every day needs. Where did you learn SO
much about them, brother? Not in your
musty library p
No, in my musty heart. it has not
grown so old yet that it hasn't some
human weaknesses Of its own"
'Wasit 'rmOn of eXperienceW
'Did you detect the personal cast?'
She glanced at him curiOusly in the
darkness.
''PoOr John! You have not passed
through all the struggles that you pic
turedT'
81 am afraid it was more or less auto
biography. And do you know, Rose
what the light was that came to teach me
the sin OF murmuring and brought me
cOntentY'
Chow can l guess?"
sit was the little maid beside me, dear
You can't imagine how reDellious | was
before you came"
"YOu overrate her; but don't under
stand, brother"
Mr.. KeatOr was silent moment. The
sTrrr
his staff and lantern crying, as he biz
them merry Christmas:
Hear. brethren, near!
The hour Of mipe Is GOMEZ
KeeA pure oh hear!
And Chasten every hOme;"
and just then the church clock struck,
She caught glimpse OF his face as the
| lanterns rays smOte II. Memory haC
seized upon him and the anguished LOOK
upon his narrow-drawn Visage alm0s
frightened her.
"Why, john" sac exclaimed, "wha
are you thinking Of? What trouble.
yOur
"NOthing in the present, dear; some
thing that Is quite past, hope"
Don't tell me unless you Wish.o
They were passing a window out oil
which the light Of a thousand frcfiie:
seemed to burn and twinkle. A gather.
ing Of children rOmped about the shining
tree laden with bOu-bOns and bright
cOlOred balls, stars aud flags, golden wal.
nuts, tissue baskets and some of Roses
own lace candy stockings. At one side
was a model Of Herrnbut, the mother Mo,
ravian settlement, in moss and paste
board. An avenue Of lime trees Joined il
with BerthOldsdOrf, on the left and lying
under the same messy mountain. Near
the window was miniature Bethlehem
with a copiOus heaven of stars amid
which the angels swan in glare Of
light. Below were the shepherds, the
little White houses, and in the centre the
inn and the open manger holding the
Christ child. Over all in an illumined
sCmi-circle one read the legend: Unto
Won child is born; unto you a son is
given" 1t was very simple art, but the
mother sat in the midst of these Joyous
tableauX uchiae the hsrpsichord softly
and glanc:ns ever h4I shoulder at her
children's happiness, and TIE pretty scene
was such picture Of love aud peace as
any beaO!leT must have been ladder for.
Mr.. kelt09 turned away with an uH-
spoken Joy in his heart, and Rose fam
cied she saw a new Intelligence leaning
from his eyes as if he had Just given a
messenger grateful audience.
mo, Rose" he said, as they walked
On. i want 10 tGll SOus W ia Tue AIT lQiI
of the Christmas message how should |
be at rest cOncealing it? That is what
gives the confessional its hold" he
unused. Eyes, yes, the feeling that some
how av0wal shifts share OF the wrong
by making IL so far public, the sense that
in q way forgiveness is begun, the sight
of a visible pardOner standing as vicar to
tae 1nseeable. All-pard0ner-yes yes,
all that has its comfort for infirm human
nature. / can't tell you how / feel that
tonight. Such constant hustle goes on
in my head. It's impossible to be sure
that even now | have found tho end. 1t
seems sO-these Christmas sights and
sounds. But don't know. | want to
get it before myself
They were in front Of their door and he
pushed her gently IN while he went on:
"And vet ] hope that it is not only that
poor, selfish purpose. L teel that owe il
to you. For it is you, Rose, who brought
the light. l have told You that
Rose silently let him take her shawl
and outer cap and went with him to the
library. She seated herself upon the
hasSOck at his feet while he took his
usual chair. He did nOtlight a candle, but
stirred the fading embers and threw fresh
wood on the andirons. For some mo-
ments he leaned back in his chair giving
rein to his melancholy memory; then ne
took one of her hands in his and began
his story in a low voice.
She sat staring for q time into the IRE