The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1899-11-30
Cousin Rachel keeps us posted about IT,

Cousin Hachel keeps MS posted about IL.
"Yes; understand it is resulting in
a great deal of hardship in many cases
For my part. believe DR.. Bruce has
simply provoked IL disturbance here 1t
will result in splitting Nazareth Avenue
church You see if that ism I NJ There
are scores Of people in the church who
are SO situated that they can t take such
pledge and keep it am one Of
them. added Mrs Delano az she went
out with Rose
When Rose reached home. her father
was standing in his usual attitude be-
fore the open fireplace. smoking acigar
"Where is Feliciar' he asked az Rose
came in alone
"She staid to an after meeting" re-
piled Rose shortly. She threw off her
wraps and was going up stairs when
Mr. Sterling called after her
IAN after meeting, What do you
meanr"
"Dr Bruce asked the church to take
the Raymond pledge.
Mr.. Sterling took his cigar out Of his
mouth and twirled it nervously be-
tween his fingers
II didn't expect that Of Dr. Bruce
Did any Of the members stayr'
II don't know didn't" replied
Rose. and she went up stairs. leaving
her father standing in the drawing
Coom
After few minutes he went to the
continued the bishop. "it would be
rather difficult matter, I fear. to hnd
very many people who would take u
Pledge like that and live up to it. Mar
tyrdom is lost art with US. Our Chris.
tianity loves its ease and comfort too
well to take up anything 80 rough and
heavy as cross, and yet what does fol-
lowing Jesus mean9 What is it to walk
in his steps?'
The bishop was soliloquizing now,
and it is doubtful if he thought for the
moment of his friends presence For
the first time there flashed into Bruce's
mind a suspicion Of the truth. What if
the bishop should throw the weight Of
his great influence on the side Of the
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 the
bishop should join this new discipleshipl
The thought was about to be followed
by the word. DR.. Bruce had reached
out his hand and, with the familiarity
of lifelong friendship. had placed it on
the bishops shoulder and was about to
ask him very important question
when they were both startled by the
violent ringing Of the bell Mrs. Bruce
had gone to the door and was talking
with some one in the hall There was a
loud exclamation. and then. as the
bishop rose and DR.. Bruce was stepping
toward the curtain that hung before
the entrance to the parlor. Mrs Bruce
pushed it aside. Her face was white.
and she was trembling
"Oh, Calvinl Such terrible newsl
Mr. Sterling-oh. l cannot tell It'll What
fearful blow to those two girlsl"
"What is itS" Dr. Bruce advanced
with the bishop into the hall and con-
fronted the messenger, a servant from
the Sterlings The man was without
his hat and had evidently run over with
the news. as the doctor lived nearest Of
any friends Of the family.
"Mr. Sterling shot himself. sir. a
few minutes agol He killed himself
in his bedrooml Mrs Sterling
Twill go right over. Edward"-Dr.
Bruce turned to the bishop-'will you
20 with met The Sterlings are old
friends of yours"
The bishop was very pale. but calm.
as always He looked his friend in the
face and answered: "Aye. Calvin. I
will go with You. not only to this house
Of death. but also the whole way Of hu-
man sin and sorrow. please God"
And even in that moment Of horror
at the unexpected news Calvin Bruce
understood what the bishop had prom.
ised to do
To RE CONTINUED.