The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1897-12-24

walls were adorned with paper sadly
discolored and falling away in places;
the bare, smoky ceiling was traversed
by numerous cracks; the paint on the
woodwork, of dismal hue to start with,
showed the ravages of time; the carpet
was wretchedly shabby.
Mr.. Goodman gaZed at all this and
sighed, as he had often done before.
81 could write better sermons in a
decent study, am positive" he said to
himself. This room certainly is de-
pressing. 1t does seem that the church
might paint and paper it. The ex-
pense would be small. Then there is
the carpet; but if that remained 1
should have to 'look-u and not down.
Well, that is what l must do anyway"
and with a faint smile he turned again
to the work before him.
Just then there was a little tap at the
door, and he rose and opened it.
Good morning, Mr.. Goodman" said
Miss Hope Arnold who stood outside
the study door, looking fresh and
bright as the morning itself. Shall
disturb you? Mrs. Goodman said she
thought you wouldn't be fairly at work
yet, and told me to come right up"
Meanwhile the young girl had enter
ed the room at the minister's invita-
ton and seated herself with compre-
hensive glance at her surroundings.
Il wished to consult you, Mr.. Good
man." she continued about some of
our Christian Endeavor work, but
first of all, want to tell you how much
good your sermon last Sunday morn
ing did me. l thank you for it. 1t
was just what l needed"
Il am very happy to hear you say
SO, Miss Hope" replied the minister
with a flush of pleasure, land 1 thank
you for telling me-" but the visitor
little guessed how much good in turn
she had done her pastor.
When they had finished their talk ON
Christian Endeavor work, and Hope
had risen to go, she exclaimed i'm
pulsively: so this is our minister's
study! l have never been in it before.
Really l should think the church could
afford to paper it, at least"
at would be a great improvement
certainly" responded Mr.. Goodman,
smiling.
at ought to be DONE" she declared
in decided tones, land it shall be-" she
mentally added.
When his caller had gone, Mr. Good
man, greatly cheered and encouraged,
and the next Sunday mornings dis
course was generally pronounced one
OF his best
Mr. Goodman was all that his name
implied, but, though an earnest preach
er, he was not brilliant nor eloquent,
and the large churches with corre-
spending salaries were not for him.
And as there were several small peo-
pie at the parsonage to be fed, clothed
and otherwise cared for, there was no
money for superfluities, or for many
other things not generally reckoned as
such.
Mrs Goodman, fortunately, was a
CHEEKY, efficient little woman, with a
wonderful knack for compelling a dol
lar to do more than full duty, and in
every way she was true helpmeet to
her husband.
On leaving the parsonage Hope hast
ened to the Office of her uncle. one of
the trustees of the church, and in
quired whether the pastors study could
not be repapered and painted, but he
shook his head.
She did not give up, however, by any
means, and at the next meeting of the
Christian Endeavor Society she pre-
scented the case.
NOW, 0hc odlu, piOpOoc lHdI VIC
rejuvenate that study as Christmas
present to our pastor. l have made
some inquiries, and find that it can be
done at small expense.
Mr.. Ball, who is a member of our
church, would furnish and put on good
paper for four dollars. A neat mating
for the floor would not cost over four
dollars more. Fred Johnson "a young
painter, and a member of the C. E.
Society will kindly attend to the
woodwork without charge. So you see
that the actual expense of the under
taking need not exceed eight dollars,
though some other changes and ad-
ditions might be made to good advant-
age"
Much to her delight, Hopes plan met
with general approval, and then arose
discussion as to the best method Of
raising the money to carry it out.
Finally Ellen Berry, one of the most
active members, said: There are so
many oyster suppers, sociables and
things of that sort, let us try some
thing different Suppose each mem
Der becomes personally responsible for
fifty cents"
After little discussion this plan was
unanimously adopted, and the meeting
adjourned.