The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1897-02-16

Hs F.siis4z y, Memorable crisis In
his History.

His Fssiisaz Nt Memorable crisis IN
His History.
The last time that saw Mr.. Brooks
70 speak with him was at memorable
CRISIS in his history, writes Elizabeth
Stuart Phelps In McClure's. 1t was
close upon the date OF his acceptance
Of the bishropric OF Massachusetts,; but
this fact was not generally known. The
movement Of his own mind at the time,
while his decision to leave Trinity
church forever was still seething, was
as solemn as prayer. II one had any
doubt OF this. the sight OF 4 e man on
the occs sion to which l refer would
have made II clear to the dullest per
ception. We were at lunch, four OF us
Mr.. Brooks, Dr. Holmes, Mr. Ward
and myself, with friends whose hospi-
tality Is expert In the art Of selecting
the difiicult and delightful number Of
guests which is more than the graces
but less than the muses.. Mr. Brooks
was very quiet at first-almost silent;
and, It seemed to my slight social ex-
perience with him, unprecedently so
Der. But DR.. Holmes conversational
genius soon struck the sparks from
the smoldering fire I'm the preachers
heart aud the two men began to talk
The rest OF us held the breath to lis
ten, as our hostess, with her distln-
guished tact, stirred the fame when she
would: and one of the most remark
able conversations which | ever heard
followed. Mr.. Brooks began to talk
about the duties OF the upper to the
lower classes OF society. and OF the
Christian to the lrreligious. He spoke
rapidly, then earnestly. then eagerly
hotiy, without fear and without re-
proach. like the Christian Bayard that
he was. At the last he pushed on into
monologue-a thing / never heard him
10 before, and no one, not even the
Sing OF Boston conversers. cared to
Interrupt him. To my surprise he
spoke of the salvation army in Ian
guage of deep respect. He honored
'ts work. He prophesied heartily for
.ts future. He spoke contemptuously
IF the nervousness of people OF ease
'boutinfection in clothing brought from
he sweat-shops and from homes whose
horrors but few of US troubled a heart
nation he rebuked the heather OF the
vest end. who cared neither for their
wn souls nor for those of other men.
le scored worldllness Of heart and life
in a lofty denunciation to which II
vas impossible to offer a protesting
yord. He mentioned by name GER
ain fashionable mems club on tho
Back bay. The salvation army" he
cried, ought to be sent there No
body needs them more. They ought to
go right through such place as that
and preach new testament religion"
AT this point DR.. Holmes suggested,
in a subdued voice: But, DR.. Brooks,
such men as those are not going to lis
ten to the salvation army. 1t seems
to me that you are the man to go into
the ---- club and preach Christianity" b"
DR.. Brooks made no reply The rest
OF us took the thought up and urged
him a little. But he fell into a silence
so sad that II was impossible to break
1t. His gaze wandered from us sol
emnly. Was he renewing the conflict
OF soul which must have preceded his
determination to leave the pastorato
of his loved and loving people? Was
he heartsick with his own great ideal
of what a Christian teacher might
achieve and must forever fail to? Was
he thinking Of his limits in the light
Of his aspirations? He talked no more.
In few moments he abruptly and ST.
lently left na