Willmar tribune., 1900-02-28

choice OF this kind, YOU don't do as
you feel inclined to do and accept the
call that pleases you most. Why should
ministers be doing what they ought in
stead Of what they like? You never
please yourself"
"Well, Sarah," replied Philip good
naturedly, this is the way of it, The
church in Elmdale is ia university
town. The atmospher. If the place is
scholastic. You kno;; I passed four
years of student life there With the
exception of the schools, there are not
a thousand people in the village, {,
quiet, sleepy, dull, retired. studious
place. I love the memory OF it.
could go there as the pastor of the
Elmdale church and preach to an au-
dience of college boys eight months in
the year and to about 50 refined, schol-
arly people the rest Of the time.
could indulge my taste for reading and
writing and enjoy a quiet pastorage
there to the end of my days"
''Then, Philip, l don't sec why you
don't reply to their call and tell them
you will accept, and we will move at
once to Elmdale and live and die there.
1t is a beautiful place. and | am sure
we could live very comfortably on the
salary and the vacation. There is no
vacation mentioned in the other call"
But, Oh the other hand" continued
the minister, almost as if he We're alone
and arguing with himself and had not
heard his Wife's words, ION the other
hand, there is Milton. manufacturing
town of 10000 people, mostly opera
tives. 1t is the center of much that be-
longs to the stirring life of the times in
which we live. The labor question is
there in the lives OF those operatives.
There are seven churches of different
denominations. to the best of my
knowledge. ali striving after popularity
and power. There is mach hard, stern
work to be done in Milton by the true
church of Christ, to apply his teachings
to mems needs, and somehow l cannot
! help hearing Il voice say: Philip Strong
go to Milton and work for Christ.
+ Abandon your dream OF Il parish where
you may indulge your love Of scholar
ship in the quiet atmosphere OF a uni
yersity town and plunge into the hard,
isagrceable, but necessary work Of
this age, III the atmosphere of physical
labor, where great questions are being
discussed and the masses are engross.
cd in the terrible struggle for liberty
and home, where physical life thrusts
itself out into society, trampling down
the spiritual and intellectual and de-
Of al, +I,,
CT the lighting powers Of giants of God
to restore in mems souls !; more just
proportion of the value of the life OF
man on EARTH
$50, you see, Sarah," the minister
went on after little pause, 81 want to
go to Elmdale, but the Lord probably
wants me to so to Milton"
Mrs. Strong was silent She had the
utmost faith in her husband that he
would do exactly what he knew he
/ ought to do when once he decided
what it was. Philip Strong was also
silent a moment. At last he said.
"Don't you think so, Sarah?"
II don't see how we can always tell
exactly what the Lord wants us to do
How can you tell that he doesn't want
you to go to Elmdale? Are there not
great opportunities to influence young
student life in a university town? Will
not some one go to Elmuale and be-
come pastor of that church?'
mo doubt there is Il necessary work
to be done there. The only question is.
Am l the one to do it or is the call to
Milton more Imperative? The more |
think of it, the more l am convinced
that l must go to Milton.'
"Then,' said the minister's wife, ris-
ing suddenly and speaking with a
mock seriousness that her husband
fully understood. Il don't see why you
called me up here to decide what you
had evidently settled before you called
me. Do you consider that fair treat
ment. sir? 1t will serve you right if
those biscuits | put in the oven when
you called me are fallen as completely
as Babylon. And l will make you eat
half dozen of them. sir, to punish
you. We cannot afford to waste any
thing these times"
what" cried Philip slyly, mot Oh
1900 year! But I'll eat the biscuits.
They can't possibly be any worse than
those we had Il week after we were
married-the ones we bought from the
bakery. you remember" Philip added
hastily
You saved yourself just in time
Ilen." replied the minister's wife She
,anle close up to the desk and in DIFF
ferent tone said. Phillip, you know
believe in you don't you?"
"Ycs" said Philip simply. 81 am
sure you do. am impulsive and in,-
practical; but. heart and soul and body
and mind. I simply want to do the will
Of God Is it not so?''
II know it u.s." she said, land if you
so to Milton it will be because you
want to do his will more than to please
yourself"
Eyes Then shall answer the letter
tonight?" ~"
"Yes. if you have decided, with my
help, of course" -
"Of course, you foolish creature, you
know I could not settle it without you.
And as for the biscuits"- -.
"As for the biscuits" said the minis
ters wife. ''they will be settled with
out me, too, if l don't go down and see
te them" She hurried down stairs, and