The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-08-26
A LITTLE HEAVEN.
or How the Kirk Feud Was Adj
juSted.
BY Frank Baird.

a
XIX, got along fairly well with every
member of his church. 1t was on the ques-
ton of where the new manse should be
built that he first broke with a few Of
his people.
He made no efforts to reclaim them; but
waited I'LL the time set by the church
code regarding non-church-goers had
elapsed. and then struck their names from
the communion roll.
Unfortunately, as time went on, the
minister gave offense to numerous others.
He took part in politics, in the grange,
in everything, people said
Year by year the disaffected party grew
and the minister's congregation grew cor
respoudingy less Hard, unkind and bit
ter things began to he said, first on one
side, then on the other.
As in politics there were two parties
the "ins" and the outs" The outs petit
toned presbytery, and were heard sym
pathetcally. This made the ms and the
minister indignant.
The minister and his party attempted
to build a new church., but the others oo-
posed l.. The church, however, was hui I.
Soon after this he presbytery in which
Glenco was situated resolved to send a
student catechist TO the Glenco field. But
a protest came, and b fcre the young
man reached his field of labor he was re-
called.
So things dragged on for several years.
The case was carried from presbyt terry to
synod and from synod 10 general assem-
lily: but still it remained unsettled
Finally. after eleven years of visitations.
and committees, and petitions, and counter
petitions it was resolved by the presby-
terry that. Notwithstanding the opposition
of the minister of the charge, and some of
the people, another student should be sent
to the Glenco field.
The little train was vigorously pushing
its way up the green river valley. There
were not many passengers. In one of
the rear seats quite alone, and seeming to
wish to be that way, was a quiet young
man with q book.
The sun seemed not to have touched him
for months. But though his face was I'M
Drowned it was not sickly one. He lifted
his eyes as the conductor came by. and
they showed them a brilliant black-clear
and deep. This was Horace Murray. stu
dent, who had just completed his second
year in Mount Brown Theological Col
lege
The young man was suddenly inter
rupted. The car door opened sharply and
a voice called:
"Glencol Glenco station next"
Then it shut again with clash.
The train came at length to the plat
form and Murray stepped quickly down.
group Of girls. gigglng and clinging to
each others arms, stood some distance to
his left.
There he is" one whispered. That's
he new minister. I pity i'm
The few men who were present eyed the
stranger suspiciously-men at country sta
lions always do that. Some of them drew
away AS they went Murray heard one
of them say:
IF that's the new preacher he's goin'
10 meet trouble; for John Andrews was
tellin' me the kinks 10 be locked the NOR
row TIL old mans full o fight bout
this"
Murray looked around little nervously.
He saw his trunk tumbled from the bag
gage car in front. AS he went toward ii
the conductor shouted, "'B-o-a-r-d!' and
the train pulled away.
II was scare clear of the platform. when,
from behind the station building, where he
had had to stay with a frightened horse.
there came a large, rough. kindly-faced
old farmer He reached his broad. mus
cular. hard hand and gripped Murray's
thin, white one.
How are ye?" he said; ga'd to see we;
wus fearin We hadn't come
This was Elder Wilson, the leader of the
"discontents" in the Glenco kirk.
Get in" he said TO Murray, AN we'll
drive over home. Tom'll come after var
trunk"
we've heerd NV the trouble, I s'pose,
fore We were sent the elder said AFTER
a time.
4lof some" Murray said. but I didn't
think it was serious"
where wus We brought up|' he
Murray explained that his home was in
the adjoining province.
Il thought ye must be from over the
water, or ye'd have heerd.'
1t Gawned on Murray that the dispute
must be of proportions he had not
dreamed. He had intended to settle the
trouble by belittling 1t; but the elders
last remark gave him doubts as to
whether that method would do
If the trouble wasn't real, people
thought 1t was: and there %as little diff
ference Things must be taken as they
were. Making light of the dispute, Murray
his ignorance.
"Hev We ever preached?'
Murray said yes and explained where.
"Ye'H hev to do er best here or the
peoplen still stick to the OF man, for he's
no bungler in the pulpit"
1t gradually came to the young man
that the Committee of Presbytery had rot
told him the worst. Elder Wilson's words
sent a shudder through him. He was 10
be tried in a way he had not thought of.
He was to stand as a rival of the cd pas
tor day after day, and the old pastor was
no bungler"
The carriage stopped al a small gate in
front of farm house.
sam" Elder Wilson called; come ere /
This is Sam Bloice's." he said to Murray
in lower tone. II want ye to meet
Sam"
In a moment big, hatless man. long
haired and beard d, came from the door,
and on a half -run to he gate The wind
blew his hair atoW wildly
Well" he called as he came, we've
got inn" then TO Murray, at the top Of
mis- voice: "Hae We a gun wi ye?''
Murray confessed he had not. For some
time the three men talked.
Hes been ordered by presbytery to
open the church, and surely will not re-
fuse" Murray SAID. land further, has not
the aunounct ment for a union service Of
all parties been out for tomorrow since
Sunday LAST
Yes" Elder Wilson said, that was the
agreement made with the co mittee. The
church was to be open, and the young
and the old man were to be there. A /
par les greed to that"
They greed; but viii they keep
'greed?" put in sam. II say they won't.
vtas AT tho pnrpar M fo,var