Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-02-07
CHAPTER XVII.

The letter which Philip had received
and which his wife now read was as
follows:
Rev. Philip Strong. Pastor Calvary Church. Mil
ton:
Dear Sir and Brother-The seminary at Fairview
has long been contemplating the addition to its
nrofessorship Of chair of sociology. The lack OF
funds and the absolute necessity OF sufficient en-
downcnt for such chair have made 1t impoSsi-
bile hitherto for the trustees to make any dehnlte
move in this direction. A recent legacy, Of ~mch
YOU have doubtless heard, has made the founding
of this new professorshp possible. And now the
trustees by unanimous vote have united upon you
as the man best fitted to fill this chair OF socioo.
cy We have heard Of your work in Milton anu
know OF it personally. We assured you are
the man for this place. We therefore tender you
most heartily the position OF professor OF sociolo
Cy at Fairvicw seminary at a salary OF S2,oOo
year and preliminary years absence, either
abroad or in this country. before you begin actual
labors with the seminary.
With this formal call the part OF the. trustees
goes the most earnest desire the part OF all the
professors OF the summary who remember you IN
your marked undergraduate success as student
here You will meet with the most loving well
conc and the Summary will he greatly strength
ened BY your presence in this new department.
We are in behalf Of the seminary, very cordially
yours. ihE TRUSTEES
Here followed their names, familiar
to both Philip and his wife.
There was moment Of astoniShed
silence. and then Sarah said:
We'll. Philip. that's what l call the
finger of Providence"
do you call it the finger of Provi-
dence because it points the way you
want to go?" asked Philip. with q
smile. But his face instantly grew So
ber He was evidently very much eX-
cited by the call to Fairview. 1t had
come ut q time when he was in con-
dition to be very much moved by it.
Yes. Philip" replied his wife as she
smoothed back his hair from his fore
head. lit is very plain to me that you
have done all that any one can do here
in Milton. and this call comes just in
time. You are worn out. The church
Is opposed to your methods. You need
rest and n change. and. besides,
this is the very work that you have al
ways had liking for"
Philip said nothing for moment.
His mind was in whirl Of emotion.
Finally he said: Yes: would enjoy
such professorship. 1t is a very
tempting call. | feel drawn toward it.
And yet"-he hesitated-''I don't know
that ought to leave Milton just now"
Mrs. Strong was provoked. Philip
Strong. you have lived this kind of life
long enough. All your efforts in Cal
vary church are wasted. What good
have all your sermons done? 1t is all
vain sacrifice. and the end will be de-
feat and misery for you. Add to all
this the fact that this new work will
call for the best and most Christian Ia
Dor and that some good Christian man
will take it If you don't-and don't
see. Philip. how you can possibly think
of such a thing as refusing this oppor.
tunity."
1T certainly is splendid opportuni-
ty." murmured Philip. Il wonder why
they happened to pitch on me for the
place."
That's easy enough. Every ono
knows that you could fill that chair