The true northerner., 1900-06-13

anu III we Dttll tDiupIfOW W utt Out
that resolution In wo~d and deed. we
shall revolutionize this town in Its
business. It's politics. it's church. Its
schools. It's homes. IL we simply allow
our emotions 10 be stirred, our sympa-
thies 10 be excited 70 the giving of a
little money on this occasion. IL will do
us and the community little permanent
good. God wants n complete trans
formation In the people OF this nation.
Nothing less than a complete regenera-
tion can save us from destruction. Un-
consecrated, selfish money and selfish
education, selfish political power and
selfish genius In art, letters and diplo-
macy Will sink us as a people into n
gulf of annihilation. There is no saliva
tion for us except In Jesus Christ. Let
us believe in him and live'in him.
IL have said my message. l trust
you have understood It, | would not
say otherwise If l knew that | should
step off 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 1t when the speak
er sat down to be like a distinct cleo
tric 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 wave Of emotion gradual
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 off
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'
1t was like n 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 you?
Tomorrow and Sunday"
The voice came again:
IL shall 60 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.