The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1888-05-10

uuSut uuhiuut N"' ho AN' o.
tie to herl
Hi, wito's sighi She was not looking
so young. There were streaks Of gray
in her hair, and hor cheeks were not so
full and round. His wife's sighl Was
it not her wealth that gave him leisure
and independence Was 1t not her in
fluence that had spread his famci Did
her sigh imply regret at her choice, or
her bitter disappointment
The preacher had conscience, and it
was making 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 the hours to the patriarch,
and ho too prevailed, and his heart was
changed, like the name of his proto-
type.
81 would like to sec him so muchp
The tones of fresh, strong voice fell
upon his ear as the curtain was drawn
aside and young man entered.
"Ah, doctor, could not resist the
desire to see you. have heard of you
so often, and your books are we'll
thumbed at home. have so much to
say" His eagerness rang out in every
word.
"You know l have chosen the ministry
for my vocation. Oh, doctor, feel so
untitled for the task! My doubts are
not of God, or religion, or the Good
Book, or tho lovely traditions and asso.
Citations that blend with the faith. No,
no; my doubts are of myself-my un-
worthincss, my littleness, my poverty
of the Spirit. What can do to cope
with the taskl How can I become a
preacher to humanity2 How shall I
drive home the religion divinea How
shall l impel men to follow the Masterl
The work is so sublime and so insig-
nifcant. What can do2'
The preacher heard him. It seemed
that his features were familiar, and his
voice was not strange.
''Oh, doctor, do not care for books
when struggling mon and weak women
and tender children are to be uplifted.
l do not wish for fame. do not look
for success, measured by large con.
gregation, princely salary, and grow.
ing reputation. l would have the
prophets ideal realized in my life. Let
the spirit of God rest upon me, however
lowly my portion the spirit of wisdom
and understanding. Let me not judge
after the sight of my eyes, nor reprovt
after the hearing of my ears. These
words of Isaiah always occur to me, doc
tor. made them the text of my grad
uation sermon at tho seminary few
weeks ago. l."
"His graduation sermon, thought the
preacher. "Why, it was my very tex,
when graduated
ooh, doctor! doctorr' the young
man cried, as tho tears started in hi
eyes, "pardon my impulsiveness. d'
not wish to be faithless to my ideal. ST.
many start we'll and fail. Iwant t,
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
ell2
"'The Lord wants reapers; oh, mount up
Before night comes and says, "Too Late!
Stay not for taking scrip or cup
The Master hungers while ye watt"
"Those lines-those lines" said tn,
preacher to himself; "they were Away
in my memory. Why do hear then
now3 Have l waited for scrip or cul
while the Master has hungered2"
Il know no greater curse, doctor,
continued the young man, with hi
cheeks al afame with enthusiasm
"than to have my unfulflled ideal re
buke me as grow old. To have tn
spectre of the unrealized always aroun
me; to hear the accusing voice of op
portunity mlsspent and advantages mis-
applied; to feel that I have been dis
loyal and cowardly, and bent only o
my own advancement while religion ha
hungered-the thought would drive m
wild. And l have come to you, goo
sir, for kindly counsel. Tell me whs
I shall do. You sympathize with me
You too once were young like myself.
"You have come to me-to me-fc
counselT" the preacher exclaimed, ris
ing from his chair and advan cling. cd
you know how taithless l have been t
my youths ideala Oh, spare me-spar
me-
The preacher awoke. Was it but
revery, after alll Had his youth com
back to accuse him, like in Jean PAT
Richter's dream2'
Eultu! Eultu! ue eAciaimou, eeai
ing aside the curtain, and folding hel
as she came, in passionate embrace
Edith Edithl you shall never sig
again. 1t is still day for us. 1t is nc
too late, thank God!'
!. He told her of his wrestling spirit an
his victory. And when the next Sal
bath dawned he preached as he nev,
had preached before. People noted th
difference; he felt it; and with the see
OF humility planted anew in his sou
his work grew to lovelier and more eI
during proportions. j lHarper's Bazaar.
: | 4 al Eox:1.oni Inn