The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1900-04-04

vary church are wasted. What good
have all your sermons done7' II is all
a vain sacrifice, and the end will be de-
feat and misery for you. Add to all
this the fact that this new work viii
call for the best and most Christian la
Dor and that some good Christian man
win take II II 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 a splendid opportuni-
ty," murmured Philip. II wonder why
they happened to pitch on me for the
placer
THAT'S easy enough. Every one
knows that you could fill that chair
better than almost any other man in
the country"
do you mean by every one little
woman OF the name of SarahT asked
Philip. with brief return OF his teas
ing habit.
mo, sir. | mean all the professors
and people In Falrview and all the
thinking people of Milton and every
one who knows you, Philip. Every
one knows that whatever else you lack
II isn't brains"
'TPd like to borrow a few just now,
though, for seem to have lost most Of
mine. Lend me yours, won't you,
Sarah. until | settle this question OF
the callY'
mo. sir. IL you can't settle a plain
question like this with all your brains.
you couldn't do any better with the ad-
ditlon of the little | have"
"Then you really think, do you,
Sarah, that | ought to accept this as
the leading of the spirit of God and
follow without hesitationT
Mrs. Strong replied with almost tear
fulsearnestness:
"Fhilip, II seems to me like the leasi-
Ing Of his hand. Surely you have
shown your willingness and your corr-
age and yeur sacrifice by your work
here. But your methods are distaste-
full, and your preaching has so far
reused only antagonism. Oh, l dread
the thought of this life for you another
day. Ii looks to me like a suicidal pol
icy, with nothing to show for it when
you have gone through with it."
Philip spread the letter out on the
couch, and his face grew more and
more thoughtful as he gazed into the
face of his wife, and his mind went
over the ground of his church expert
ence. If only-he was perhaps think
Ing-if only the good God had not given
him. so sensitive and fine tempered a
spirit of conscientiousness. He almost
envied men of coarse, blunt feelings,
of common ideals of duty and service.
His wife watched him anxiously.
She knew it was a crisis with him.
At last he said:
well, Sarah, l don't know but
you're right. The spirit is willing
but the flesh is weak. The professor
ship would be free from the incessant
worry and anxiety of a parish, and
then | might be just as useful in the
seminary as l am here-who knowsT'
who knows, lndeedT exclaimed
Sarah joyfully. At the same time she
was almost crying. She picked up
the letter and called Philips attention
to the clause which granted him a
year abroad In case he accepted.
Think of that, Philip Your dream
of foreign travel can come true now!'
THAT is"--Philip looked out Of the
window over the dingy roof Of a shed
near by to the gloomy tenements-
that is, supposing decide to accept"
"Supposing! But you almost the same
as said oh, Philip, say you will! Be
reasonable! This is the opportunity Of
a lifetimew
That's true" replied Philip.
"You may not have another such
chance as this as long as you live. You
are young now and with every pros
pect Of success In work Of this kind.
II is new work, of the kind you like.
You will have leisure and means to
carry on important experiments and
influence for life young men entering
the ministry. Surely, Philip, there is
as great opportunity for usefulness
and sacrifice there as anywhere. 1t
must be that the will of God is In this.
1t comes without any seeking on your
part"
"Yes, indeedg Philip spoke with the
only touch of pride he ever exhibited.
1t was pride in the knowledge that he
was absolutely free from self glory or
self seeking.
"Then say you will accept. Say you
will, Philip
The appeal coming from the person
daarast IN him I'm all the world moved
Philip profoundly. He took the letter
from her hand, read 1t over carefully
and again laid 1t down on the couch.
Then he said: