Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1900-04-23

]
seems wonderful to think that you are
trying to keep that pledge with us. But
what can you do with the clubmen ~
''You have asked me direct ques-
ton, and I shall have to answer it
now,' replied Rollin, smiling again.
''You see, I asked myself after that
night at the tent, you remember he
spoke hurriedly, and his voice trembled
Httle-E'what purpose I could now
have in my life to redeem it, to satisfy
my thought of Christian discipleship,
and the more I thought Of it the more
was driven to a place where I knew I
must take up this cross. Did you ever
| think that Of all the neglected beings
in our social system none are quite so
| completely left alone as the fast young
| men who fill the clubs and waste their
time and money as [ used to? The
churches look after the poor, miserable
creatures like those in the Rectangle,
they make some effort to reach the
workingmen, they have large con-
stituency among the average salary
earning people, they send money and
missionaries to the foreign heather, but
the fashionable, dissipated young men
around town, the clubmen, are left out
of all plans for reaching and Christian
izing, and yet no class of people needs
it more. I said to myself: L know these
men, their good and bad qualities I
have been one of them. I am not fitted
to reach the Rectangle people. / do not
know how. But [ think [ could possibly
reach some of these young men and
boys who have money and time to
r
trying to do. When I asked as you
did, What would Jesus do?' that was
my answer. Tt has been also my
cross. "
Rollin' voice was so low on the last
sentence that Rachel had difficulty in
hearing him above the noise around
them, but she knew what he had said.
She wanted to ask what his methods
were, but she did not know just how to
ask him. Her interest in his plans was
larger than mere curiosity. Rollin Page
was so different now from the fashion
able young man who had asked her to
be his wife that she could not help
thinking of him and talking with him
as if he were entirely a new acquaint-
ance.
They had turned off the avenue and
were going up the street to Rachel's
home. It was the same street where
Rollin had asked Rachel why she could
by sudden shyness as they went on
Rachel had not forgotten that day, and
Rollin could not forget it. She finally
broke long silence by asking him what
she had not found words for before.
Gin your work for the clubmen, with
your old acquaintance, what sort of
reception do they give you? How do
you approach them? What do they
say?"
Rollin was silent when Rachel spoke.
He answered after a moment:
''Oh, it depends on the man. A good
many of them think 1 am a crank. I
have kept my membership up and am
in good standing in that way. I try to
be wise and not provoke any unneces-
sary criticism, but you would be sur
prised to know how many of the men
have responded to my appeal. I could
hardly make you believe that only
few nights ago a dozen men became
honestly and earnestly engaged in a
conversation over religious questions.
I have had the great joy of seeing some
of the men give up bad habits and be-
gin a new life. What would Jesus do p
I keep asking it. The answer comes
slowly, for l am feeling my way along.
One thing have found out-the men
are not fighting shy of me. I think
that is a good sign. Another thing-I
have actually interested some of them
in the Rectangle work, and when it is
u. H..
help make it more powerful, and, in
addition to all the rest, I have found a
way to save some of the young fellows
from going to the bad in gambling
Rollin spoke with enthusiasm. His
face was transformed by his interest in
the subject which had now become a
part of his real life. Rachel again noted
the strong, manly, healthful tone of
his speech. With it all she knew was
deep, underlying seriousness which felt
the burden of the cross even while car
rying it with joy. The next time she
spoke it was with a swift feeling of
justice due to Rollin and his new life
''Do you remember reproached you
once for not having any purpose worth
living for?' she asked, while her beau
tiful face seemed to Rollin more beau
tiful than ever when he had won suffi-
cient self control to look up. 81 want
to say feel the need of saying, in JUS
tice to you now, that I honor you for
your courage and your obedience to
your promise. The life you are living
now is very noble one"
Rollin trembled. His agitation was
greater than he could control. Rachel
could not help seeing it. They walked
along in silence. At last Rollin said:
ST thank you. It has been more than
I can tell to hear you say that He