The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1900-10-18
CHAPTER X.

DOhOTHf PROVES HERSELF a HELPAEE1
Next day Malcom Kirk had the me-
ancholy pleasure Of taking Philip Bar
ton out to "The Forks" He had re
covered sufficiently to be moved. an,
Malcom borrowed spring wagon an,
placed him in it comfortably. He com
planned Of feeling queer in his back
and the doctor told Kirk before b.
started that it would not be ut all un
expected IL Barton should be paralyz
ed. 'In fact, Mr.. Kirk, my examina
tion makes It almost certain that tn,
boy will probably never recover SO a.
to use the lower part Of his body. L
seems probable that the wheels Of tn,
hay wagon passed over him after b,
fell out"
The prairie was one vast burned
stretch Of plain, with the road gray
and distinct through it. Philip Barton
lay back on the cot that had been ar
ranged in the wagon box and looked uI
at Malcom with white, strained face
as he drove slowly along over the
smooth, elastic prairie road
At first Malcom drove on silently.
The boy seemed to be quite comforta-
BILE. but unwilling to talk, and during
That is good deal more than did for
you"
Philip had listened intently. But
something in Malcom's manner kent
him silent.
THAT wilderness where l was lost, :"
continued Malcom softly as his early
life before he entered the seminary
came back to him, was the wilder
hess OF sin, and the wild beasts were
my passions, and the friend who saved
me was Jesus Christ, the Saviour Of
the lost, who gave himself a ransom
for many"
There was not n particle Of cant or
attempt at preaching in what Malcom
had said. 1t was so simple, so natural.
that the boy on the cot hardly realized
at first what the minister had said.
When 1t dawned upon him that Nal
com had spoken Of his own conversion,
he closed his eyes, and his face twitch-
ed under his emotion. When he looked
up again, Malcom had turned and was
looking down at him.
DO you mind If we pray here?" said
Malcom.
Philip moved his head, and In his
eyes a look Of expectant wonder grew.
Malcom stopped the horses. The prai-
rle was wide and desolate and black,
not sign Of life anywhere; the Mt.
mosphere was still; the sun shone over
1t all; the town lay distinct in the rear
distance. And somehow 1t seemed as
II Kirk spoke to God close by. He sat
with his hands on his knee and looked
out Into the line Of the horizon.
Father in heaven" he said, 1--WE do
not know what 1t all meant when the
Lord came to this earth and lived and
suffered and died, but we know enough
to feel sure that love for us was what
made him do it-love for sinners. We
are always asking something, Father
but what we want now is what thou
dost want. Save another life-this one
here that is in so much need. His body
has been saved for little while from
physical death. Save his life for all
time, from eternal loss. His mother is
praying for him. All heaven is any.
ious for his salvation. If thou wilt .
show us what more we can do, dear |
Lord, we will do it. But lead him to |
thyself, for we cannot forgive his sins
or keep him from them. Thou canst
do it If he will let thee. For the great
love OF Jesus to us we give thee all we
have, for thine is the kingdom, and
the power, and the glory. Amenw
lie gathered up the lines and went /,
slowly on, and for the next mile not a !
word was said. Then Malcom. hearing |,
the boy move to change his position a
little, turned and looked down at him. !
'Do you believe that, Mr. Kirk?" he !
asked, while his lips Quivcrpi. .
"Whatp
THAT all heaven is anxious for my
why not? The book says there Is /!
Joy III heaven over one sinner that re- |
pcnteth.' Why shouldn't heaven be !
anxious to have us repentw
Il don't know, but
God so loved the world that he !
gave his only begotten Son. He cares |
rs much for you as for any soul on !
EARTH" said Malcom gently.
Philip was silent after that during |
The rest Of the drive. He lay with his !
eyes closed, and Malcom did not think !
It wise to talk any more to him, but a |
continual prayer went out Of his heart !
Tor another sheep gone astray.
When they drove up to the house at |
The Forks" Mrs. Barton came run.
ming out She helped Malcom lift |
Philip into the house, and as the boy !
was being lowered upon q bed he /
up his arms and put them
about. his mothers neck. The Door
woman sank on her knees and with her
lace buried on the breast Of her boy
'obbed out her hearts Joy ut his home |
coming. When Kirk was ready to re-
urn to Conrad, she held his hand, re-
uctant to have him 90.
Heaven bless you, Mr.. Kirk. l owe
ION moro than I can toll Tho 6ro |