The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1888-07-05

imbusd with physical potency. It was
the sigh of his wife, genAs, patient, IN
complaining, that had stirred him from
his dreams. He rose from his chair.
lie paced up and down the room. He
never sighed. Why should his wife
sighl And why should that sigh pro
duce such inward ill7 Had he said
aught uakiudl Was he not always gen
tic to hor4
His witc's sigh! She was not looking
so young. There were strcaks of gray
in her hair, and her checks were not so
full and round. His wife's sigh! Was
it not her wealth that gave him leisure
and independence Was it not her in
fuencc that had spread his fame' Did
her sigh imply regret at her choice, or
her bitter disappointment
The preacher had a conscience, and it
was making a sharp fight. jacobs con-
test of old with the wrestling angel
finds its parallel in many an inward
struggle of the human soul. The
preachers few minutes of agony seemed
as long as tho hours to tho patriarch,
and he too prevailed, and his heart was
changed, like the name Of his proto-
type.
"I would like to SEQ him so much"
The tones of fresh, strong voice fell
upon his ear as the curtain was drawn
as side and young man entered.
"Ah, DOCTOR could not resist tho
desire to see you. have heard of you
SO often, and your books arc well
thumbe4 at home. have 50 much to
say" His eagerness rang out in every
word.
you know have chosen the ministry
for my vocation. Oh, doctor, feel so
untitled for the task! My doubts arc
not of God, or religion, or the Good
Book, or the lovely traditions and asso-
Citations that blend with the faith. No,
no; my doubts are of myself-my un-
wOrthiness, my littleness, my poverty
of the Spirit What can do to cope
with tho task2 How can [ become a
preacher to humanity? How shall l
drive home the religion divine? How
s. al, impel men to follow the Master}
The work is so sublime and I SO insig-
nifcant. What can | doT
The preacher heard him. 1t seemed
that his features were familiar, and his
voice was not strange.
ooh, doctor, & not care for books
when struggling men and weak women
and tender children are to be up,iftod.
do not wish for fame. do not look
for success, measured by a large co..
gregation. princely salary, al a grow
ing reputation. | would have the
prophets ideal realized in my life. Let
the spirit Of God rest upon me, however
lowIy my portion the spirit of wisdom
and understanding. Let me not judge
after the sight of my eyes, nor reprove
after the hearing of my cars. These
words of Isaiah always occur to me, doc
tor. made them the text Of my grad
uation sermon at the seminary a few
weeks ago. /"
His graduation sermon, " thought the
preacher. 'Why, it was my very text
when graduatcd"
GOA, doctor! doctor!' the young
man cried, as the tears started in hi:
eyes, "pardon my impulsivenes3. I dc
not wish to be faithless to my ideal. 81
many start we'll and fail. want tt
translate that text into life. There i
so much to be done and so few to do it.
Don't you recall those lines from Low
eIlQ
''' The Lord wants reaPers; oh, mount up
Before night comes and says, TOO Late I.
: Stay not for taking scrip or cup
The Master hungers while We waltz
"Those lines-those lines" said the
preacher to himself; 'they were alway:
in my memory. Why do I hear them
now2 Have 1 waited for scrip or cuI
while the Master has hungered"
II know no greater curse, doctor,
continued the young man, with hi
cheeks al atlame with enthusiasm
''than to have my unfuIfled ideal re
buke me as grow old. To have tn
spectre Of the uarealized always aroun,
me; to hear the accusing voice of op
portunity mIsspent and advantages mis-
applied; to feel that l have been dis
loyal and cowardly, and bent only 0
, my own advancement while religion ha
hungered-the thought would drive m
wild. And I have come to you, goo
= sir, for kindly counsel. Tell me wha
l shall do. You sympathize with me
; You too once were young like myself.
"You have come to me-to me-fc
counselw tho preacher exclaimed, ris
ing from his chair and adva0 cling. I'D
you know how taithless l have been t
my youths ideal1 Oh, spare mo-spar
. me"
The preacher awoke. Was it but
revery, after all? Had his youth com
back to accuse him, like in Jean Pat
, Richter's dream?'
Edith! Edithw he exclaimed, teal
ing aside the curtain, and folding hel
; as she came, in a passionate embrace