The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-01-23
Through Struggle to Victory
A STORY.
IN SIXTEEN cHAPTERs.-cHAP. XIV
Published by permission of The COngrtgafionalist
THE CRISIS.

Published by permission of The CongrEgati0nalist
THE CRISIS.
Thus, in sunshine and shadow,
two years of my theological course
had passed, and | had entered upon
the first term of my senior year.
Times seemed to grow harder.
There was not much prospect of any
change for the better. | had sold
all the books which had used in
college, my society badge, and
everything else which | could do
without. My mother had done the
same. Every remnant of our form
er station in society had been dis
posed Of, and no one would have
guessed that we ever knew better
fortune. Happily for us we never
saw any of our former friends. Their
presence, under the circumstances,
might have panied us more than
their neglect.
When about ready to go to the
mountains to spend my last long va
catiCn, l had a pressing invitation
to supply the pulpit of a wealthy
church in The city. | went Moth
ing was said in regard to pay, but |
supposed it would be all right
My mother said | had no clothes
suitable to wear in such place.
Mine had been mended SO many
times that they were not decent. [
bought suit on credit, and promis-
ed to pay when l returned, at the
beginning of the term.
When had finished supplying,
and was ready to 60 home, the chair
man of the committee said that they
we're satisfied with my labors-that
there was no money in the treasury,
and that he would send the amount
in few days.
If had gone to tie Crawford
House the proprietor would have
considered it lasting disgrace if he
had sent me home without my pay.
But a rich church would send me
away with the careless remark that
that it should be sent me in few
days, not knowing, and seemingly
not caring, that | had only twenty
three cents in my pocket, and the
fare to my home was 81 70. But
such was the fact. What was to be
done? There was only one person
in the city with whom I was sufic-
iently acquainted with to ask the
loan of money-a young man whom
| had known in college
He was rough, but open handed,
and if he had any money was sure
he would lend it to me. | walked
down to his room, found him alone,
and began to tell him what | wanted
when he blurted out: 81 see it.
They have hired you to come here
and preach, and have not paid you
Confound their mean, stingy, dis
honest souls! I would swear if you
were not a preacher. How much
do you need?" Give dollars" | an
swered. 81 will pay you as soon as
I can get it"
"You mean," said he, "as soon as
this lich church is ready to pay what
they honestly owe you l would
blow them sky high if it were not for
letting them know that you borrowed
money of me The members Of that
church are worth million, at least,
and yet they will cheat a poor theo-
logical student who is trying to earn
money to support his mother and
sister. 1t is not honest. :"
"Not quite so bad as that" | said.
"They do rot suppose l should
have to borrow money to pay my
fare home
"They ought to think about such
things; like to see works and pro-
fession go together" I thanked
him for his kindness and went out.
When | returned from the Crawford
House each year before, l carried
the money which | had earned to
pay the little debts that had accum-
ulated, but when | went back from
that rich church whose pulpit | had
| had to borrow money of an irrelig-
ious acquaintance to purchase my
ticket. | had also to explain to the
tailor, of whom I had purchased my
clothing, why l could not pay him
according to promise. Our provis
ions were exhausted and | had to
ask for more credit at the store.
The rent was due, and several other
bills which troubled me so that it
was difficult to study. | waited
three weeks. Fridays mail brought
an urgent request for me to supply
large church at some distance
the next Sabbath, without fail. l
had spent my last copper. I went
to the old gentleman who owned the
house in which we lived to ask for
another favor. He probably saw
TINT was troubled, for he said:
"Well, John, what's the matter?"
81 had a call to go to--next
Sabbath, and have not single cent