Wichita eagle., 1888-04-29
TIE NEW PREACHER.

same height, and offered the same hands.
But others who can read between the
lines, and are thankful for the gift, de-
clare that it was new preacher. He had
gone through some experience. His soul
had changed. He bad been born again.
The preacher sat in his coy study in
the afternoon hours. 1t was his den"
where he was secure from all Interrupt
ton, and furnished with the luxury Of a
| Sybarite. Soft rugs upon the floor, hand
some vases On the low bookcases that en-
Circled the walls, rare etchings upon the
easel, costly engravings on every side,
| cabinet of coins in one corner, and poem
! in marble in another-it was no wonder
| that he felt a thrill of self-satisfaction as
he glanced in every direction. And his
sense of comfort was heightened by the
I roll of proof sheets on his desk-his latest
work almost ready for publication. There
was long row of volumes since his oc-
cupancy of the pulpit, but this was TO be
his browning effort, and to increase still
| further his fame.
| There were the books, the creations of
his genius, Oh a long shelf ali by them
selves. The critics spoke highly of them;
the public bought them; the learned world
acknowledged Iucu ueIlG. IAiStoiy, OioS
raphy, criticism, were his special fields.
But his mind was so versatile that he
could produce novels as well; and his
poems had also rapid sale. AS a popu-
lar lecturer he always commanded large
audience. His travels to the east and his
discovery of the missing tractate of st.
Theodosius had gained him the doctorate
from three Old World universities.
Yes, he had been singularly successful,
and that. too, without STOPPING to any
mean tricks. He was above sycophancy
and self-advertising. He had made his
way by hard pushing, by resolute work,
by sheer stamina, he was wont to say.
Not two decades in the pulpit, he had
long outstripped preachers of his class in
the seminary, and lett them and older
graduates far behind. He was known as
the eminent, the distinguished and he en-
ioyed the luxury of fame as only men of
his character can. He had never done
low action; he had never driven over an
adversary, but his talent and genius made
a track for themselves from the very
start
1t must be confessed that the preacher,
who was never idle, but always a miracle
of industry, had one solitary failing-per
haps there were others-he loved to dwell
upon his success, and go over in memory
each step in his advancement. That after
noon he was just in such MOOD, and his
pride was attaining fever heat
"James!'' 1t was the voice of his wife
as she drew aside the heavy curtain that
shut off the eden" from the hall of the
parsonage.
'sWell?' came ouerulous tone from
the preacher, disturbed in his revery.
1.-The boy is here whom you wished to
see''
What boy?" he asked, in an impatient
tone.
Don't you remember? The boy for
whom you were to secure a situation.
You cannot, surely, have forgotten it,"
There was shade Of pain in her voice.
''Oh let him come tomorrow, Edith; l
cannot be bothered now. I have my
thoughts busy enough with other matters.
Let him come-say, this day next week"
''But, James, with gentle remon-
STRANGE in her tone-''James his mother
is destitute; she must have money"
Il cannot help it. Why am / always
troubled by that class of, people? 1t
would tax the patience of Job or the purse
of Crcnsus Let him come next week; do
you hear?'
as she turned away and babe the boy
come the following week. Then seeing
him to the door, she gave him trif1e for
present needs.
The preacher resumed his reTerie but
found it difficult to regain his selfsatis-
faction. His nature was keenly sensitive,
and the slightest cause would often pro-
duce the intensest jar. And now what
had snapped asurder his pleasant fancies?
What had YeXed him at the moment of
his exhilaration?
1t was his wife's sigh-low, tremulous,
scarcely audible-which had penetrated
his soul and ranked there. as II imbued
with physical potency. 1t was the sigh
of his wife, gentle patient, uncomplain-
ing, that had stirred him from his dreams.
He rose from his chair. He paced up and
down the room. He never sighed Why
should his wife sigh And why should
that sigh produce such inward III? Had
he said aught unkinds Was he not al
ways gentle 10 her?
His wife's sighl She was not looking
so young There were streaks of gray ia
her hair, and her cheeks were not SO full /
and round. His wife's sigh Was 1t not !
her wealth that gave him leisure and in
dependence Was il not her influence
that had spread his feme' DID her sigh |
imply regret al her choice, or her bitter |
disappointment
The preacher had conscience, and it I
was making sharp fight Jacobs con /
test OF old with the wrestling angel finds 4
its parallel in many al inward struggle Of /
the human soul. The preachers few 4
minutes of agony seemed as long a. the I
hours to the patriarch, and he too pre- (
vailed. and his heart was changed, Ike the 4
name OF his prototype.
Il would Ike 70 see him so much3'
The tones Of a fresh. strong voice fell upon 4
his ear as the curtain was Drawn asice ,
and a young man entered
'Ah, doctor, could not resist the de,
sire to see you. have heard Of you so
often. and YOUR books are well thunbed 4
ST home / have 50 much TO say" rs
eageTness rang ont in every word
'tYoa know / have chosen the ministry
for my vocation oh, doctor, feel 50
untitled for the task Ny doubts are not
OF God, OF religion or the Good Book, or
the lovely traditions SIC associations TIA.
blend with tie faith No, no; Eny doubts
are OF nayself-uly unyorthiness, n1T lit
tieness. my poverty Of the spirit What
can Go 10 cope with the task How can
I became & preacher 20 humanity? How
shall / drive hoEzc the religion c-vIEset
How shall in2sl men 70 lcllox AZ 1ss-