Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-09-28

that can tell you much have beer
trying to find some way to reach tho
men / once knew and win them into
more useful lives
He, stopped suddenly, as if no wers
almost afrsdd to 20 on. Rachel did not
venture to suggest anything.
81 have been Il member Of the same
company to which you and Virginia be-
long" continued Rollin, beginning
again. 81 have made the pledge to do
as believe Jesus would do, and il is
in trying to answer this question that
l have been doing my work. "
"That is what do not understand.
Virginia told me about the other. 1t
seems wonderful TO think that you are
trying to keep that pledge with Us. But
what can you do with the clubmen %
"You have asked me direct qucs-
ton. and 1 shall have to answer it
now" replied Rollin. smiling again.
You sec, / asked myself after that
night at the tent, you remembcr"--he
spoke hurriedly, and his voice trembhI
n little-"what purpose | could now
have in my life to redeem it, to satisfy
my Thought Of Christian discipleship.
aud the more thought Of it the moro I
was driven TO place where I krsew I
must take up this cross. Did you ever
think that Of all the neglected beings
in our social system none are quite 50
completely left alone as the fast young
men who fill the clubs and wastss their
time and money az | used to? The
churches hook after the poor. nlgserabies3
creatures like those in the Ractanyo,
they make some effort to reach the
workingmen, they have large con-
stituency among the average salary
earning people, they send money ard
| missionaries to the foreign hcathen, but
the fashionable, dissipated young Zen
around town, the clubmen, are lefe out
of all plans for reaching and Christian
izing, and yet no class of people needs
it more. said to myself Z know,thess
men, their good and bad qualities [
have been one of them l am not fitted
to reach the Rectangle people. b do not
know how. But think / could posSib,v
reach some Of these young men and
boys who have money and time tn
spend. So that is what | have been
trying to do. When 1 asked. as you
did, What would Jesus do p that wa1
my answer. 1t has been also my
cross.
Rollins voice was so low on the last
sentence that Rachel had difficulty in
hearing him above the noise around
them, but she knew what he had said.
She wanted to ask what his methods
were, but she did not know just how to
ask him Her interest in his plans was
laroar thor1 JOpI
was SO different now from the fashion
able young man who had asked her To
be his wife that she could not helm
thinking of him and talking with him
as if he were entirely a new acqnaint-
ance
They had turned off the avenue and
were going up the street to Rachel's
home. 1t was the same street where
Rollin had asked Rachel why she could
not love him. They were both stricken
by a sudden shyness as they went on
Rachel had not forgotten that day. and
Rollin could not forget it. She finally
broke long silence 10y asking him what
she had not found words for before
"In your work for the clubn9en, with
your old acquaintance, what sort Of
| ltttpU4Ch bO tllNs SHC you iAON w
you approach them2 What do they
say p
Rollin was silent when Rachel spoke
He answered sitter a moment:
"Oh, it depends on the man a good
many Of them think l am crank. I
have kept my membership up and am
in good standing in that way. l try to
be wise and not provoke any unneces-
sary criticism, but you would he sur
prised to know how many of the men
have responded TO my appeal. l could
hardly make you believe that only b
few nights ago a dozen men became
honestly and earnestly engaged in
conversation over religious questions.
have had the great JOY of seeing some.
Of the men give up bad habits and be-
gin new life. What would Jesus do ?
keep asking it, The answer comes
slowly for l am feeling my way along.
One thing l have found out--the men
are not fighting shy of me. 1 think
that is a good sign. Another thing-L
have actually interested some of them
in the Rectangle work, and when it is
started up they will give something to
help make it more powerful. and IN
addition to all the rest, l have found
way 70 save some of the young fellows
from going to the bad in gambling"
Rollin spoke with enthusiasm. His
face was TRANSFORMED by his interest in
the subject which had now become q
part Of his real life Rachel again noted
the strong. manly, healthful tone Of
his speech. With it all she knew was
deep, underlying seriousness which felt
the burden of the cross even while car
rying it with JOY. The next time she
spoke it was with swift feeling Of
justice due to Robin and his new life,
do you remember 1 reproached You
once for not having any purpose worth
living for2" she. asked while her beau
tiful face seemed to Rollin more beau
tiful than ever when he had won sutfi-
cient self control to look up. II want
to say feel the need OF saying, in JUS
tice to You now, that honor you for
your courage ard your obedience to
your promise, The life you are living
now is very noble one,
Rollin trembled His agitation wass
greater than he could control RACHEL