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

he seldom now went into the woods to
gather q lWers, and his herbarium was
thickly Oyerlaid with dust. He sum
mOned the bret rem and sisters more fire.
quently 10 the SpreeheH, and in this form
OF private spiritual confession encouraged
aud admOnisaed them fervently. As he
grew moIe rigorous with himself he I'm
consciously set up more infeXible staud-
srds for them, and the Young sisters
would sometimes return TO their choir
houses atteTOne Of these Intimate CONVEX
satlens with their pastor wondering what
nad made Mr.. Keatnr 50 strict OF late.
The numerous fstivais and anniversa-
ries OF the church he became more than
commonly eager to have duly celebrated.
BEGINNING with the Kinder Stund or
onlldren's meeting, each choir had its
special days set apart, anC at different
times IN every week each had its services.
Conrad began 10 assist him in some
parts OF this WORK, but Mr.. KeatOr did
az much as pOss bic himself. The yearly
/ Gennin Fest, the anniversary OF the con-
. atcrau0H CT tie church, the Feast OF the
Elders. the House Fessts, in celebration
Of the conservation Of the various choir
houses, tIe Bretbr6n's, WidOws' and SIS
ters' Feast, Jugs tner with the regular feast,
and festivals OF the English Church
properly afforded occupation for more
than one minister. Dir. keatOr, however.
Only allowed Conrad help upon the plea
Of hind of preliminary training for MIN.
He asserted that he eeded no help, and
IN proof OF thIs required more Of his
strength than 10 could give. His pale face
be came unnatuTaliY cOloTless; his euer-
~ grew more and more a matter Of will.
and the Advent season found him much
broken both IN body and mind. The cd
ers urged him to take a vacation and
. found him UNEXPECTEDLY willing. He
would 20 70 New York, he said. He was
expecting the arrival Of young lady by
vessel which would soon be due. An un-
certain smile went about among tee eld-
ers at this announcement, and Elder Rel
del who, in his capacity of admirer OF
! COEstance's voice was accustomed still
20 maintain is superiority when music
was discussed, said:
What you say, Brother Reator, makes
our errand easier. We do not think of
marriage among the brethren as they do
Ia the world outside, and as we are all
{ brothers together in Christ'-Eider Rel
del hesitated q moment and looked at his
fnger-nails while MT. keatOr wondered
with a sick feeling about his heart what
was cOmIns-''Wc are working for the
same end, and-yOu tell him, Brother
Berg" he entreated, helplessly, sitting
down.
May" said the elder, ''it is rather yo1r
/ Office"
well. you see It's this way, Brother
I KestOr," continued Eidel Il. idel, desper-
at-iy. HE Il Ir.d cheeks grew more red
I than usual, aud tae lines of his good
ndtured face ia which mCrfImeEt sat at
/ other times were fun ot perplexity, 1--WE
| would iIka to see YOU well married, that
/ is an" He wiped bis forehead. Cos
J course, VITA proper submission Of tue
I question To the Lord by lot and the APP
/ prevail of the oOuach, for 1t is wisely said
] that the minister's m irgiage Is of public
I importance and nOt-'nOt 10 be entered
| into Uuadvisedly OF lightly'" be con-
I Cluded, with a sense Of relief in finding
/ she sentence ready made 10 his hands.
I'VE do not presume 10 advise said
I Elder Weiss; "we merely suggest
/ Elder Enylcha-t, who had sat quietly
! listening, interpOsed with;
You must not misunderstood Us,
! brother; we have no call 10 make or Md
I die in the matter. We know that. But
AS brethren together we have taken
! thought for you. You have not seemed
/ we'll of ldte-lnl perhapS-We do not
{ mean TO Dry, brOther-nOt thoroughly hap
/ py. You have no head IN your hOuseh Id,
aud you remember the scripture words,
4 IN is not gObd for man % live alone"
Bother B1ry, who felt easier, although
. Nr. Ksator said nothing, but simply
looked rather quizZically from one TO the
O-ner as hey spoke, said that they nuget
I TO add that hIs marriage would be Tor the
Churcu's advantage also.
That looks as If we had been saying
one word for you and two for ourselves,
ne owned, with his broad, cOmplalsant
smile. But we do not mean that. 1t
would he Tor our good that you should
take discreet woman to yourself. That
is true; but much more for your own.
would not 20 to speak Of my own expert
I enCe-n
Brother Berg INDUCED a mysterious
smile and watched himself tWirl has
/ thumbs.
The other elders smiled with him, for
! Mrs. Berg was VIGOROUSLY the ruler Of
! her mud husband. Mr.. keator rubbed his
shaveu chin and tapped With his crutch
I the hearth before which he sat IN deep
! IeatheTn chair. The embarrassment Of the
group Yisibly renewed itself while they
waited for him % speak.
II thank you for your interest, broth
ers," be said, at length, gently. "What
you have said shall receive my attention.
! Ii is tGir to tell you that it has already en-
gagged a share Of It. | have not been I'M
mindful OF the prOpriety of marrying.
| You are right, l think, in believing that
a minister's power for good is multiplied
| when he takes 4 proper wife, and TO that
| end, as you have delicately reirained from
! saving. the church advises early mar
! risges among her Clergy. You will bel eve
! that [ have always fet this, but Cir
! CumstanCes in whIch-my dear brethren,
may I not ask for some time 10 consider
your suggestiOng 1t comes somewhat IN
expected ly-upon my return
Then the young woman whom you are
to meet'-hes itated Elder Berg.
"Is my sister. | ought to have told you
that. She has been fOF some years al
school in England. L hope to have her
I with me permanently now"
! The elders made their ordinations and
congratulations and took their departure.
But Mr.. KeatOr remained for a long time
in the chair before the fire, refisCtngSyith
au accusing sense upon the incident. He
/ wondered whether the elders represented
the general desire Of his congregation. Ii
they did he ielt that it brought what sud-
denly seemed 70 him his paltering with MS
feelings 10 an issue. He must either give
I up the smallest thought of Constance or
mis- pastOTate. II his congregation
I wished a married min;ster-and surely it
/ was a fair desire-whO was he that he
! should oppose themY The test Of himself
[ which he was making for moment
/ seemed fantastic, but Immediately all his
I finer senses rose 90 protest its reasonable
I ness. Yet somehow il must be brought to
/ an end. IN other words, he must put
| Constance wholly out of his thought, and
/ As he stated this TO himself be grOaned in
conscious meekneSs At the memory OF 0er
! DEAFNESS and the impOssibility OF an act
! that alienated her. The harassed minister
| rose imDetUOusly, and kneeling beside his
chair prayed ferYently for strength.
XIX.
/ The coming of Rose KeatOr brought
I about many changes. She did not look
I like a revOlutiOnist with her fiaXen hair
| and blue eyes set in her bright face. But
/ from the moment she entered her broth
/ er's plain house she began, 4 ; people from
! alaT viii, 70 try tu'Iss by aer Standards,
| and when they faiIe1 ~ these maijenly
| measures she St GcTseJ t. CHE about
I the proper correspondence. Sle observed
/ TO herself at once, for instance, that her
/ brothers home was essentially the home
/ Of a bachelor.
"POOr brOtherl" sheeXclaimed, sis this
/ the way you have been liVingI"
Il don't know what you mean, dear,
I but ] think Benicia has changed nothing
! on account Of your arrival"
] "Unpapered walls, uncarpeted floors,
\ books ana newspapers eyerywhere," she
/ went on, recOunting the enOrmities to
I herself. docs B5nicia ever dustg"
| Not here. l should never find anything.
/ I'm afraid of her"
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