Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1900-02-15


ship. OF self denial and actual suffering
Christian Americal Is it 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-
usual
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 DR.. Bruce many years as a
kindly. safe man. but the thought Of
him in the light of sacrifice of this sort
was not familiar 10 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.
1t 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 a visit to one of his new friends
in the district He had walked about
four blocks when he was attracted by q
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 a 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-
licia Sterling came out.
"Felicial' said the bishop. when
did you move into my parish without
my knowledgef"
"How did you find me so soonf
asked Felicia.
"Why. don't you knowf These are
the only clean windows in the block.
II believe they are, replied Felicia,
with laugh that did the bishop good
to hear
"But why have you dared to come to
Chicago without telling me, and how
have you entered my diocese without
my knowledge2" asked the bishop, and
Felicia looked SO like that beautiful.
clean, educated. refined world he once
knew that he might be pardoned for
seeing in her something of the old para
disc, although, to speak truth for the
bishop, he had no desire to go back to
1t again.
"Well, 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 offer
you my services Indeed was just on
my way to see you and ask your advice.
l am settled here for the present with
Mrs Bascom. saleswoman who rents
our three rooms, and with one of Ra-
chel's 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 that
the bishop smiled, "and I am keeping
house for her and at the same time be-
ginning an experiment in pure food for
the masses. am an expert, and have
a plan want you to admire and de-
velop Will you, dear bishop2"
"Indeed I viii, +" 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 with
my messes. You see, thought would
get settled first and work out something
and then come with some real thing to
offer. I'm able to earn my own living
now.
"You are2" The bishop said 1t lit
tie incredulously "How Making those
things2'
Those thingsl" said Felicia, with
show of indignation. 81 would have
you know, sir, that those things are
the best cooked, purest food products in
this whole city
81 don't doubt it, said the bishop
hastily, while his eyes twinkled "Still,
the proof Of the pudding Ytu know
the rest. -
"Come in and try some" exclaimed
Felicia. "You poor bishopl You look
as if You hadn't had good meal for
month.
She insisted on the bishops entering
the little front room where Martha, o
wide awake girl with short curly hair
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 OF
him So often. Sit down here and let me
give you a taste Of the feshpots OF
Egypt, for / believe you have been ac-
tually fasting"
So Felicia and the bishop had an i'm
provised lunch, and the bishop, who, to
tell the truth, had not taken time for
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
cookery
81 thought you would at least say IT
fas as good as the meals you used to
yet at the Auditorium at the big ban
quets, said Felicia slyly.
"'As good asr The Auditorium ban
quets were simply husks compared to
this one Felicia. But you must come
to the settlement. l want you to see |
what we are doing And I am simply |
astonished to find you here earning |
your living this way. l begin to see
what your plan is. You can be Of in
finite help to us. You don't really mean |
that you will live here and help these |
people to know the value of good foodf'
"Indeed l do" Felicia answered |
gravely THAT is my gospel Shall !
not follow it 2"
"Aye, ayel You're right. Bless God
for sense like yours. When left the |
world d'-the bishop smiled at the phrase |
-"they were talking a good deal about |
a. Of