Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-06-16

this nor that nor the other. The great
question Of the whole world Is selfish.
ness in the heart Of man. The great
command is. Seek ye first the kingdom
Of God If we had done that in this
town. believe such physical disaster
as the one we lament would never have
happened. That is our great need.
eff we 60 home from this meeting
resolved to rebuke our selflshness in
whatever form it Is displeasing to God,
an'' r we begin tomorrow to act out
that resolution in word and deed, we
shall revolutionize this town in its
business. Its politics, its church, Its
schools. its homes. If we simply allow
our emotions to be stirred, our sympa-
thies to be excited to the giving Of q
little money on this occasion, It will do
us and the community little permanent
good. God wants complete trans.
formation in the people Of this nation.
Nothing less than a complete regenera-
tion can save us from destruction. Un-
eonsecrated, selfish money and selfish
education, selfish political power and
selfish genius in art, letters and diplo-
macy will sink us as people into a
gulf Of humiliation. There is no saliva
ton for US except in Jesus Christ. Let
us believe in him and live in him.
81 have said my message. I trust
you have understood 1t. I would not
say otherwise If knew that l shodd
step OF this platform now and stand
before the judgment. seat Of Christ.
God help US all to do our duty! Time
Is short; eternity Is long. Death is
nothing; life Is everything"
Five years after this speech Of Rob-
ert Hardy to the people Of Barton in
the town hall one who was present in
the audience described the sensation
that passed through it when the speak.
er sat down to be like distinct elec.
trio shock which passed from seat to
seat and held the people fixed and
breathless as If they had been smitten
into images of stone.
The effect on the chairman Of the
meeting was the same. he sat motion
less. Then a wave Of emotion gradual
ly stirred the audience, and without q
word Of dismissal they poured out OF
the building and scattered to their
homes.
Robert found George waiting for
him. The father was almost faint
with the reaction from his address.
George gave his arm, and the two
walked home In silence.
We must pass over hastily the events
of the next day in Robert Hardy's life.
The whole town was talking about his
surprising address of the night before.
Some thought he was crazy. Others
regarded him as sincere, but after the
first effect Of his speech had worn of
they criticised him severely for pre-
suming to preach" on such an occa'
sion. Still others were puzzled to ac'
count for the change in the man, for
that a change had taken place could
not be denied. How slow men are to
acknowledge the power Of God In the
human heart! Mr.. Hardy went about
his business very little moved by all
this discussion. He realized that only
two more days remained.
He spent the afternoon and evening
at home. but was interrupted by sew
eral calls. After tea the entire family
gathered in the room where Clara lay.
She still remained unconscious. but liv'
ing. AS Mrs. Hardy was saying some
thing to her husband about his dream
and the events of the day before Clara
suddenly opened her eyes and distinct
ly called out the words:
"Father. what day Is itT
It was like a voice out Of the long
dead past. Mr.. Hardy. sitting By the
side Of the bed. replied quietly. while
his heart beat quickly:
"This is Friday night. dear child
Another question came, uttered In
the same strange voice:
"Father, how many more days are
left for youT'
Tomorrow and Sunday"
The voice came again:
81 shall 90 with you then."
The eyes closed. and the form be-
came motionless, as before.
1t was very quiet In the room at the
close of Robert Hardy's fifth day.
TO BE CONTINUED.