Middletown transcript., 1899-12-23

ed the interview. 81 nave det L.. 10
to go out with the company. / have
/ good reason for it. y
Mrs. Winslow was large. handsom
woman, fond of much company. ambi
tious for distinct place in society ant
devoted, according to her definitions o
success, to the success of her children
Her youngest boy, Lewis. ten year
younger than Rachel was ready tt
graduate from a military academy il
the summer. Meanwhile she and Rache
were at home together Rachel father
like Virginia's, had died while the fam
lily were abroad. Like Virginia, she
found herself, under her present rule oi
conduct. in complete antagonism with
her own immediate home circle.
Mrs. Winslow waited for Rachel tc
go on.
tYou know the promise made two
weeks ago, mother?''
"Mr. Maxwell's promisef''
mo, mine You know what it was,
mother2"
II suppose do. Of course all the
church members mean to initiate Christ
and follow him as far as is consistent
with our present day surroundings. But
what has that to do with your decision
in the concert company's matter2''
''It has everything to do with it.
After asking, What would Jesus do 2
and going to the source Of authority for
wisdom have been obliged to say that
do not believe he would in my case
make that use OF my voice .
"Whyf Is there anything wrong
about such career ?"
mo; I don't know that I can say
there is
''Do you presume to sit in Judgment
on other people who go out to sing in
this way1 Do you presume to say that
they are doing what Christ would not
DOR
Mother, 1 wish you to understand
me. | judge no one else. I condemn no
other professional singers. simply de-
eide my own course. As I look at it, /
have conviction that Jesus would do
something else. !"
"What elsef' Mrs. Winslow had not
yet lost her temper She did not urdnr-
stand the situation or Rachel in the
midst Of it. but she was anxious that
her daughters career should be as dis
tinguished as her natural gifts FROM
ised, and she felt confident that when
the present unusual RELIGIOUS excite
ment in the First church had PASSED
away Rachel would go on with her
public life according to the wishes Of
the family. She was totally unprepared
for Racheps next remark.
"What2 Something that will serve
mankind where it most needs the serv-
ice of song. Mother have made up
my mind to use my voice in some way
so as to satisfy my soul that am doing
something better than pleasing fashion
able aT fences or making money or even (
gratifying my own love of singing. am
going to do something that will satisfy |
me when | ask. What would Jesus /
dor and am not satisfied and cannot K
be when | think Of myself as singing 4
myself into the career of concert COM
pany performer. J" /
RachA spoke with vigor and ear
nestne:s that surprised her mother Mrs
was angry now, and she never
Tried to conceal her feelings. +
at is simply absurdl Rachel. you
IRE fanaticl What can you dor
'sThe world has been served by men I
Ind women who have given it other
'hings that were gifts. Why should |,
because | am blessed with a natural I
lift. at oEce proceed to put a market /
rice on it and make all the money | /
an out of it You know nother. that /
'ou have taught me to think of mu-
ical career always in the light of a
financial and social success have heen
Inable sil.ce made my promise two
weeks ago to imagine Jesus Joining a
'oncsrt company IL 20 IA: | would
10 and live the life v.oald h.. We to live
+ joined it. =
Mrs Winslow rose and then sat down
gain With great einort she com-
,osed herself
What do you intend to do, then
iou have MT answered my question.
II shall continue to sing for the time
ling in the church | am pledged to
ing there through spring During the
week am going to sim at the White
ross meetinys down in the Rectangle.
''Whatl Rachel Winslow Do you
now what you are sayingf Do you I
.lQw what sort Of people those are
awn theref'' y
Rachel almost quailed before her
l,ther For moment she shrank back
I'D was silent
Il know very well That is the rea- a
IN | am going l.r and Mrs Gray n
ave been working there several weeks
learned only this morning that they :
'anted SINGERS from the churches to i,
clip them in their meetings They use Il
tent It is in part of the city where !
hristian WORK is most needed / shall .
fer them my help Mother. . Rachel 4
.ied ont with the first passionate ut o
rance she had ret used. ~ want to do fc
'mething that will cost me something
/ the way of sacrifice. know You will
Dt understand me But am hungry
suffer something What have we u
one all our lives for the suffering, sin.
ng side OF Raymond How much
I've we denied ourselves or given Of
If personal ease and pleasure to bless
% place in which we live or initiate
q life Of the Saviour Of the world7
re we always to go on doing as so
ETY. selfshly dictates, moving on its
Irrow little round of pleasures and
tertainments and never knowing the
in Of things that cost2''
"Are you preaching at mef" asked
rs Winslow slowly. Rachel under 81
BOD her mother words.
No: am preaching at myself, she
piled gently. She paused moment N
II she thought her mother would say u
mething more and then went ont Of
9 room When she reached her own
om. she felt that 50 far as her moth
was concerned. she could expect no
mpathy or even fair understanding 40
I'M her SCI