Middletown transcript., 1900-02-10


ship, of self denial and actual suffering
Christian AInericaI Is it a reproach
upon the form of our discipleship that
the exhibition Of actual suffering for
Jesus on the part Of those who walk In
his steps always provokes astonishment,
as at the sight of something very un-
usualf
Nazareth Avenue church parted from
its pastor with regret for the most part,
although the regret was modified by
some relief on the part of those who had
refused to take the pledge. DR.. Bruce
carried with him the respect of men
who, entangled in business in such a
way that obedience to the pledge would
have ruined them, still held in their
deeper, better natures genuine admira-
ton for courage and consistency. They
had known DIR. Bruce many years as
kindly, safe man, but the thought OF
him in the light Of sacrifice Of this sort
was not familiar to them. As fast as
they understood it they gave their pas
tor the credit of being absolutely true
to his recent convictions as to what fol-
lowing Jesus meant. Nazareth Avenue
church has never lost the impulse OF
that movement started by DR.. Bruce.
Those who went with him in making
the promise breathed into the church
the very breath of divine life and are
continuing that life giving work at the
present time.
It was fall again, and the city faced
another hard winter. The bishop one
afternoon came out of the settlement
and walked around the block, intending
to go on visit to one Of his new friends
in the district. He had walked about
four blocks when he was attracted by a
shop that looked different from the 9TH
ers The neighborhood was still quite
new to the bishop, and every day he
discovered some strange spot or STUN
bled upon some unexpected humanity.
The place that attracted his notice
was a small house close by Chinese
laundry. There were two windows in
the front, very clean, and that was re-
markable, to begin with. Then inside
the window was a tempting display OF
cookery, with prices attached to the
various articles, that made the bishop
wonder somewhat, for he was familiar
by this time with many facts in the
life Of the people once unknown to him.
AS he stood looking at the windows
the door between them opened. and Fe'
icia Sterling came out.
'Feliciar' said the bishop. "Wher
did you move into my parish without
my knowledgef'
Chow did you find me 50 soonf''
asked Felicia
"Why, don't you knowf These art
the only clean windows in the block. "
81 believe they are, replied Felicia
with laugh that did the bishop good
"But why have you dared to come e
| Chicago without telling me, and how
have you entered my diocese without
my knowledge? 2" asked the bishop, ant
Felicia looked so like that beautiful
clean, educated, refined world he onc'
knew that he might be pardoned fol
seeing in her something of the old para
disc, although, to speak truth for th'
bishop, he had no desire to go back *
1t again.
"Weu, dear bishop" said Felicia
who had always called him so when
ever they had met, 81 know how over
whelmed you were with your work.
did not want to burden you with my
plans, and, besides, am going to offel
you my services. Indeed was just OF
my way to see you and ask your advice
I am settled here for the present will
Mrs. Bascom, saleswoman who rent
our three rooms, and with one of Ra
chels music pupils, who is being helped
to course in violin by Virginia Page
She is from the people" continued Fe
licia, using the words ''from the peo
pie" so gravely and unconsciously tina
the bishop smiled, land am keeping
house for her and at the same time be
ginning an experiment in pure food fol
the masses l am an expert, and / hav'
plan want you to admire and de
velop. Will you, dear bishopf''
"Indeed I will. . replied the bishop
The sight of Felicia and her remarkable
vitality. enthusiasm and evident pur
pose almost bewildered him.
martha can help at the settlement
with her violin, and will help will
my messes. You see. thought woult
get settled first and work out something
and then come with some real thing t.
offer. I'm able to earn my own living
now"
| "You are2" The bishop said it lit
tie incredulously. ''How7 Making thos,
things?''
"'Those thingsI'" 4" said Felicia, with
a show of indignation. II would have
you know. sir, that those things art
the best cooked, purest food products il
this whole city.
ST don't doubt it. said the bishop
hastily. while his eyes twinkled "Still
the proof of the pudding Y,u know
the rest.
"Come in and try some, 4" exclaimed
Felicia "You poor bishopl You lool
as if you hadn't had a good meal for &
month.
She insisted on the bishops entering
the little front room where Martha. 6
wide awake girl with short curly hail
and an unmistakable air of music about
her, was busy with practice.
$50 right on, Martha. This is the
bishop. You have heard me speak oi
him 81 often. Sit down here and let me
give you a taste of the heshpots o1
Egypt. for believe you have been &C
tually fasting"
So Felicia and the bishop had an i'm
provised lunch. and the bishop. who, tc
tell the truth, had not taken time fol
weeks to enjoy his meals, feasted on the
delight of his unexpected discovery and
was able to express his astonishment
and qualification at the quality of the
ii Thought you would at least say II
was as good as the meals you used to
get at the Auditorium at the big ban-
quets," said Felicia slyly.
"'As good asl' The Auditorium ban,
quets were simply husks compared tc
this one, Felicia. But you must come
to the settlement. 1 want you to see
what we are doing And I am simply
astonished to find you here earning
your living this way. begin to see
/ - 1,on of