The Delawarean. [volume] (Dover, Del.) 1859-1927, 1900-04-14

/ slipped INTO vacant seat ana waiIeu.
MIR. Jones received the note. glanced at
its contents and then rose. There was
a singular emotion in his voice as he
spoke.
81 have just been handed note from
one of our members. Mr. Robert Har-
dy, with the request that | read it
aloud to the church tonight:
To You, My Dear Pastor. and You, My Brothers
and Sisters In Christ:
suppose it is known to most OF you that three
Of my children were the train during the re.
cent accident, and two OF them escaped with but
slight injuries. But my daughter Clara was Sc
rjously injured by the shock, and | am at this
moment seated by her side praying that her
reason may be spared and her possible injuries
prove to be within the region Of cure.
had planned to be with you tonight I
wanted to tell the church OF the change that l
have lately experienced. l do not need to tell
you that for the % years that have been a
member OF the church have been a member only
In name. ! have seldom appeared in any OF the
spiritual or devotional services of the church.
have often sat in attitude OF criticism to the
best preaching. l have been hard man with
those in my employ. | have been cold and even
revengeful toward other members Of this church.
have been a very proud, un-Christian, selfish
man.
In the sight Of God have been an altogether
unworthy member OF the church OF Christ | do not
take any pride to myself in making this confess
sion, but | feel that it is due to you, and some
thing tells me shall have more peace of mind IL
Ispeak to you as | have lately prayed to God.
1t is not necessary, neither have time nor
strength, to tell you how have been brought to
see my selfshness in all its enormity. It is
ttxrL Al
lieve that have misunderstood very largely the
right meaning Of human existence. | want to
pray with you and for you. You will let me say
this also, bearing with me, this may be my
last opportunity to say to you what lies in my
heart: Serve the church of Christ, all you who
have taken upon you its vows. with enthusiasm
and loyalty. Stand by the superintendent of the
Sunday school, attend this week night service
when you can, making it the most important sery
ice of the week. and, than all, live true
simple. loving Christian lives every day.
Ii may seem strange that | am preaching like
this to you who have probably done your duty far
better than | ever did, but | wish to say what
lies deep in my heart to say tonight. Ii there
are any young in the meeting tonight,
want to say TO them, become Christians at the
core. not in name simply, as have been, and
above all, knee down every morning, noon and
night and pray to tind 10 keep you from a selfish
life-such life have lived-forgetful OF
church VOWS of the rights Of the working poor, OF
the brother and sister in Christ. Yes. would
be willing that any Young man might say, 80
Lord. keep me from living selfish and useless
and proud a lite as Robert Hardy once liyed."
For that is the truth No one but God knows
how | have suffered at the thought of the past,
how am suffering at the present moment.
pray that any who are afflicted at this present
time may find peace in him who bore the worlds
sorrows in his great heart of love. II it were
not tor my faith III my Saviour at this time,
should be in despair AS ii is, am suffering
but it is not the suffering which follows an
eclipse Of hope, believe in the eternal life and
in the forgiveness OF sins yea such sins as
mine have been. Forgive so much about myself
1t is necessary under the circumstances. ask
your prayers for me as your petitions go up for
the afflicted and ropentant everywhere. am,
your brother in Christ. ROBERT HARDY.
The impression made by the reading
of this letter was profound. The still
ness that followed was deathlike Then
one of the oldest men in the room rose
and in prayer of great power prayed
for the absent man and thanked God
for his guided strength. The prayer
was followed by others, and then one
and another of the members who had
not been on really good terms with Mr..
Hardy arose and confessed and asked
forgiveness, The hearts of the people
were greatly moved. Mr.. Jones. con-
trary to his usual habit, asked as the
meeting drew to a close if there were
any present who wanted to begin that
Christian life at the core of which Mr..
Hardy spoke.
81 see a number here not protesting
Christians. Are there any who would
like to say that they want to become
Christians and will try to live the
Christ life every dayY
In the pause that followed James
Caxton who had been sitting in the
back seat, felt as If some power within
and without him We're forcing him to
his feet. He grasped his chair as if to
hold himself down. but the Holy Spirit