The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1899-09-21


liz were abroad. Like Virginia. she
found herself under her present rule Of
couGcct. in complete ontagonism with
her own immediate home circle.
Ms. Winslow waited for Rachel to
20 IN.
"Yoa know the promise made two
weeks ago. motherr''
"LIr MaxwelIs r-omisey'
NO mine. You know what it was.
mo.i"rg"
II suIpuse | do or course all the
church members Iaean to Initiate Christ
and follow him as far as is consistent
with our present d.v surroundings. But
what has that to do with your decision
in the concert company's matterT'
"It has everything to do with 1t.
Ac-cr asking. What would Jesus dog'
ara Going to the source OF authority for
vi. Gom have been obliged 10 say that
d. not believe he would in my case
make that usc oF my voice.
"Whyr Is there anything wrong
abor aach careerr'
"Nu; / don't know that ! cnn say
there is. i"
"Do you presume to sit in judgment
on other peoplc WHO so cut 10 sing in
this wayy Do you presume to say that
they are doing what Christ would not
doY'
Mother. | wish you to understand
me. | Judge no one else | condemn no
other professional singers. simply de-
eide my own course, As look n it, l
have n conviction that Jesus would do
something else.
.'Wnat elseY" Mrs. Winalow had not
vet lost her temper. She did not under
stand the situation or Rachel in the
midst Of it, but she was anxious that
her daughters career should be rs dis
tinguished rs her natural gifts prom
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 Rachel's 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 rs to satisfy my soul that am doing
something better than pleasing fashion
able audiences or making money or even
gratifying my own love OF singing am
going to do something that will satisfy
me when l ask, What would Jesus
dor and am not satisfied and cannot
be when l think Of myself as singing
myself into the career Of concert COM
pany performer -
Rachel spoke with n vigor and ear
nestness that surprised her mother. Mrs
Winslow was angry now, and she never
tried to conceal her feelings
1T is simply absurd Rachel, you
are fanaticl What can you dor
1.-The world has been served by men
and women who have given it other
things that were gifts Why should l.
because am blessed with natural
gift, at once proceed to put market
price on 1t and make all the money
can out Of itS You know. mother. that
you have taught me to think Of mu-
sical career always In the light OF a
financial and social success have been
unable since made my promise two
weeks ago to imagine Jesus joining .
concert company to do what l would
do and live the life would have to live
If Joined it.
Mrs Winslow rose and then sat down
again. With great effort she com-
posed herself
what do you intend to do. then
You have not answered my question.
II shall continue to sing for the time
being In the church l am pledged to
sing there through spring. During the
week am going to sing at the White
Cross meetings down in the Rectangle >
"Whatl Rachel Winslowl Do you
know what you are sayings Do You
know what sort Of people those are
down therei"
Rachel almost quailed before her
mother. For a moment she shrank back
and was silent
IL know very we'll That is the rea-
yon | am going. Mr.. and Mrs Gray
have been working there several weeks
I learned only this morning that they
wanted singers from the churches to
help them in their meetings They use
: tent. 1t Is In part Of the city where
Christian work is most needed shall
offer them my help Mother" Rachel
cried out with the first passionate ut
terance she had yet used. ~ want to do
! ! something that will cost me something
in the way Of sacrifice l know you will
not understand me. But am hungry
: to suffer something. What have we
done all our lives for the suffering. sin
ming side of Raymondf How much
have we denied ourselves or given OF
our personal ease and pleasure to bless
l the place In which we live or initiate
the life Of the Saviour Of the world
Are we always to go on doing as go
: ciety selfshly dictates. moving on its
; narrow little round Of pleasures and
D entertainments and never knowing the
= main Of things that costf"