St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-12-13

ready defined for herself the greatest
issues of earthly life
That same evening, after the Sunday
evening service, the Rev. Calvin Bruce,
D. D.. of Nazareth Avenue church, was
talking over the events of the day with
his wife They were of one heart and
mind in the matter and faced their new
future with all the faith and courage
of new disciples Neither was deceived
as to the probable results of the pledge
to themselves or to the church.
They had been talking but little
while when the bell rang, and DIR.
Bruce, going to the door, exclaimed as
he opened it: "It is you, Edward
Come inl"
There came into the hall command
ing figure The bishop was of extraor-
diary height and breadth of shoulder,
but of such good proportions that there
was no thought of ungainly or even of
unusual size. The impression the bishop
made on strangers was first that Of
great health and then of great affection
He came into the parlor and greeted
Mrs. Bruce. who after few moments
was called out of the room. leaving the
two men together.
The bishop sat in deep easy chair
before the open fire. There was just
enough dampness in the early spring of
the year to make an open fire pleasant
calvin, you have taken very seri-
GUS step today" he finally said, lifting
his large dark eyes to his old college
classmates face 81 heard Of it this
afternoon could not resist the desire
to see you about it tonight. y
"I'm glad you came. y DR.. Bruce sat
near the bishop ana laid hand on his
shoulder "You understand what this
means, Edwards"
81 think do-yes; am sure. The
bishop spoke very slowly and thought
fully. He sat with his hands clasped to-
gether. Over his face marked with
lines of conservation and service and
the love of men, a shadow crept, a
shadow not caused by the freight.
Again he lifted his eyes toward his old
frieSd
Calvin, we have always understood
each other Ever since our paths led us
in different ways in church life we have
walked together in Christian fellow.
ship.
at is true, " replied DR.. Bruce, with
an emotion he made no attempt to con-
ceal or subdue THANK God for it. /
prize your fellowship more than any
mans. have always known what it
meant though it has always been more
than | deserve. "
The bishop looked affectionately at
his friend, but the shadow still rested
on his face After q pause he spoke
again;
1.-THE new discipleship means crisis
for you in your work. If you keep this
pledge to do all things as Jesus would
do, as know you will, it requires no
prophet to predict some remarkable
changes in your parish. The bishop
looked wistfully at Bruce and then con-
tinued; "In fact. ! do not see how a
perfect upheaval Of Christianity as we
now know it can be prevented if the
ministry and churches generally take
the Raymond pledge and live it out.
He paused as if he were waiting for his
friend to say something, to ask some
question. but Bruce did not know Of
the fire that was burning in the bishops
heart over the very question that Max.
well and himself had fought out.
"Now, in my church, for instance, >
continued the bishop, sit would be
rather difficult matter, / fear, to find
very many people who would take q
pledge like that and live up to it Mar
tyrdom is lost art with us. Our Chris
tianity loves its ease and comfort toe
well to take up anything so rough and
heavy as cross, and yet what does fol
lowing Jesus mean2 What is it to wall
in his steEs?"
The bishop was soliloduizing now
and it is doubtful if he thought for the
moment of his friends presence. Fol
the first time there flashed into Bruce's
mind a suspicion of the truth. What il
the bishop should throw the weight O
his great influence on the side of tn,
Raymond movement He had the fol
lowing of the most aristocratic, wealthy
fashionable people not only in Chicago
but in several large cities What if tn
bishop should join this new discipleship
The thought was about to be followe,
by the word. DR.. Bruce had reache,
out his hand and, with the familiarit,
of lifelong friendship, had placed it Oh
the bishops shoulder and was about t.
ask him very important question
when they were both startled by tn
violent ringing of the bell Mrs. Bruc
had gone to the door and was talkin
with some one in the hall, There was
loud exclamation, and then, as tn
bishop rose and DR.. Bruce was stepping
toward the curtain that hung befor
the entrance to the parlor, Mrs, Bruc
pushed it aside. Her face was white
and she was trembling.
ITO be continued