The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-02-24

that old business trouble Of mine which
brought so much Of failure and anxiety, so
much OF sorrow and distress, and il be does
suppose they win all be for sending me
adTift.''
81 would not think OF il, James" a soft
voice answered "We have prayed for guild
ance and let us have faith that our prayers
will be answered in the right way and at the
right time"
9sYou are right, little woman, as you al
ways are; but my heart grows faint when
think of you and our boys having to go back
to the sitting air of the city. You can not
tell how l have rejoiced in your rosy cheeks,
and cur children-look at them now as they
sleep; hew different they look from the pale
and sickly babes they were" His voice was
very low and tender as he spoke of his two
little boys, and again the soft voice answered
him.
al know we are all much better here, but
YOU are working for Him and not for us. He
viii provide, and if we must leave here there
will be some other place open for you to do
His work. His promises do not fail and
mans very often do, therefore let us not fail
in our duty"
Your are dear little saint" the minister
said. you always make my faith stronger.
j wonder what our people would say If they
knew You helped me with every sermon
preach to them"
''Oh, you must not tell that, Tor 1t is very
little do, after all"
Our committee now arrived. John Ellis,
in his usual hurried fashion, went at once TO
the object of their visit. His argument was
strong and earnest. In rugged and manly
words he pleaded for progress in the cause OF
the Lord. Progression was the order of the
universe, the law of God. Music was the
voice of the soul, the expression of the heart.
By its magic the sinner was Softened and
wicked thoughts were driven away. 1t APP
psaled TO mans better nature, TO the spirit
which reaches out for something higher and
holier. What charm equalled it? What
subtle spell was so obnoxious to the pow
ers of darkness? Man had been endowed
by his Creator with the genius OF invention
and through that gift he had been enabled
to construct an instrument which could
blend its sweet tones with human voices IN
praise and devotion. Should that instru-
ment be excluded as a thing of evil? 1t
ought not to be, for 1T was the handiwork of
the genius given of God, a monument to the
glory of Heaven. Were not radiant angels
represented in the Holy Scriptures as play
ing on harpS before the very face of the Al
mighty Ruler?'
The good brother had grown almost elo-
quent as he proceeded, and when he had
finished the pastor comDlimented him Tor
his earnestness and zeal. But" said he,
while grant all you say, is 1t not our duty
to ascertain whether there are any conscien-
tiOus Christians who Will stay away from
church if we do as you wish? Should we
not first see the directors again and endeavOr
70 convince them that there is no wrong in
that which produces good?'
"Ob, Brother Andrews" Alice Barnett
cried, II believe there is only one person
who objects. and ] am fearful that he is not
a Christian"
''The man to whom you refer is Brother
Dodge, l am sure and the pastors face
paled a trife. He has given me to under
stand that he will not attend, and that he
will keep his family at home. This grieves
me very much, but believe that it is Gods
will that we should have good music in His
house, and so it shall be as you wish"
John Ellis slapped his hands on his knees
several times IN an energetic way that was
habitual with him when feeling particularly
enthusiastic, and thanked the minister
heartily for his consent. 1T is our duty 10
be progressive in these days" he added,
land l know people better men and
women and better Christians for the music
there is in the world"
You are certainly right, Mr.. Ellis" said
Mrs. Andrews, yet We have to convince
some people that there is religion in music,
or" She said. smiling, sin this case, that
there Is religion in an organ"
The committee soon took their leave, and
upon the faces of the men the success OF
their undertaking was plainly written; but
when Alcott looked into the eyes of the fair
Alice be again saw that troubled expression
douglas" she said, as they fell somewhat
behind their impatient companion, Il am
convinced that that man has a secret, but
what 1t Is can not even imagine. You re-
member he spoke about having his prayers
answered. wonder in what way he expects
the answer TO Gomez
II am sure don't know" laughed Doug
las; perhaps by miracle, as IN the olden
time"
Alice looked skeptical, but said nothing,
and, as there were but three days to wait, she
dismissed the matter from her mind. On
Sunday morning, as she took her place in
church, she glanced at the Elders face and
was shocked at its pallor. He was seated be-
fore the altar, with his back to the choir and
organ, and, as the people kept coming in, his
nervousness increased. At last he arose and
gave out his text: II glad when they
said unto me, let us go into the house of the
Lord" He then read the hymn "Ny Faith
Looks I D TO Thee" Turning to Alice when
he had read the last line he motioned with
his hand for her TO take her place at the
organ. The choir and congregation sang the
hymn through, and Alice was returning to
her seat, when she was startled by hearing
the organ pealing forth the notes of the song,
and, as she believed, without human aid.
Looking toward the pastor she was surprised
10 see him as one TRANSPORTED. His face was
turned upward, and the care and trouble
which had so lately found an abiding place
there were gone, and, instead, there had
come a look OF faith and peace, and as the
organ ceased, after the invisible musician
had played one verse through he arose and
addressed the congregation.
MY friends, was glad when it was said
unto me, Come into the house of the Lord. l."
To-day felt crisis in my life. / have
confession TO make-a confession OF weak
ness and error it may be, but, 1 thank God,
free from any intentional sin. Some years
ago left college expecting to preach the
Gospel of Christ. 1t may be that my faith
was not very strong then, but believed that
| could preach honestly and sincerely and
| in any place that ] chose was mistaken.
After going TO one place and then another
was finally installed in one of the Mission
Churches Of Cincinnati. | was poor man
her, as / am to-day, and the salary Of $500
which received for unremmitting service,
was scarcely adequate, even with the most
rigid economy, for the support OF myself
and family. After a while sickness came
and one Of my children, my only girl, died.
Ny heart, although thought was Chris
tian, rebeIled against the loss of nv beauti-
| full one. j could Dot then say, Thy will be
done for thoupht that IL nv salary had