St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-09-13


he cannot be nv disciple. = . And whatsoever
forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my
disciple
When Rachel Winslow and Virginia
Page separated after the meeting at the
First church on Sunday, they agreed to
continue their conversation the next
day. Virginia asked Rachel to come
and lunch with her at noon, and Rachel
accordingly rang the bell at the Page
mansion about half past H. Virginia
herself met her. and the two were soon
talking earnestly.
1.-The fact is, Rachel was saying
after they had been talking few min
utes, Il cannot reconcile it with my
Judgment of what he would do. | can
not tell another person what to do, but
/ feel that ought not to accept this
offer.
"What will you do, them" asked
Virginia, with great interest.
Il don know yet, but have decid-
ed to refuse this offer.
Rachel picked up letter that had
been lying in her lap and ran over its
contents again. 1t was a letter from
the manager of comic opera offering
her place with large travelling COM
pany for the season. The salary was a
very large fisure and the prospect held
out by the manager was flattering He
had heard Rachel sing that Sunday
morning when the stranger had inter
rupted the service. He had been much
impressed. There was money in that
voice, and it ought to be used in comic
opera, so said the letter, and the man
ager wanted reply as soon as possible.
"There's no virtue in saying No to
this offer when / have the other one, "
Rachel went on thoughtfully. "That's
harder TO decide, but I've made up my
mind. To tell the truth, Virginia, IN
completely convinced in the first case
that Jesus would never use any talent
like a good voice just to make money.
But, now, take this concert offer, Here
is reputable company to travel with
an impersonator and violinist and a
male quartet all people Of good repu-
tation. I'm asked to go as one of the
company and sing leading soprano. The
salary Il mentioned it, didn't ~ is to
be guaranteed-$200 month for the
season But l don't feel satisfied that
Jesus would go. What do you think q
"You mustn't ask me to decide for
you, replied Virginia, with a sad
smile. 81 believe Mr. Maxwell was
right when he said we must each one
of us decide according to the judgment
we felt for ourselves to be Christlike
/ am having harder time than YOU
are, dear, to decide what he would do. u
care your Rachel asked She rose
and walked over to the window and
looked out. Virginia came and stood
by her The street was crowded will
life, and the two young women looked
at it silently for moment Suddenly
Virginia broke out as Rachel had never
heard her before.
"Rachel what does all this contrast
in conditions mean to you as you ash
this question of what Jesus would do
1t maddens me to think that the society
in which have been brought up, thu
same to which we are both said to be
long, is satisfied, year after year, to g
on dressing and eating and having {
good time giving and receiving enter
tainments, spending its money OF
houses and Injuries and occasionally
to ease its conscience, donating, with
out any personal sacrifice, httl
money to charity. l have been edu
Gated, as you have, in one of the mos
expensive schools of America, launche,
into society as an heiress, supposed t.
be in very enviable position. I'm per
fectly well, can travel or stay a
home, can do as please, can gratif
almost any want or desire, and We
when | honestly try to imagine Jesu
living the life have lived and am eS
pected to live and doing for the rest @
my life what thousands of other ric
people do | am under condemnation 70
being one of the most wicked, selfish
useless creatures in the world. / hav
rot looked out of this window for week
without feeling of horror toward my
self as | see the humanity that pours b
this house.
Virginia turned away and walked u
and down the room. Rachel watche
her and could not repress the rising It'd
of her own growing definition of disc
pleship. OF what Christian use was he
own talent of song? Was the best 81
could do to sell her talent for so muc
a month, go on concert company
tour, dress beautifully, enjoy the e7
citement of public applause and gain
reputation as a great singer Was thu
what Jesus would do2
She was not morbid. She was
sound health was conscious of gre;
powers as singer and knew that if 81
went out into public life she coul
make a great deal of money and becon
well known. 1t is doubtful if she owe
estimated her ability to accomplish a
she thought herself capable Of All
Virginia-what she had just said smo
Rachel with great force because of IL
similar position in which the tv
friends found themselves
Lunch was announced, and the
went out and were joined by Virginia
grandmother, Nine. Page, a handsom
stately woman of 85 and Virginia
brother, Rollin, a young man wi
spent most of his time at one of Il