Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1900-09-23
CHAPTER III.
By Charles M. Sheldon.

ewn father and mother and wife and children and yxzethren and sisters-yea, and his own life also She cannot be my disciple *E* And whosoeve. forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
 When Rachel Winslow and Virginia Page separated after the meeting at ths First church on Sunday, they agreed to continue their conversation the next day. Virginia asked Rachel to come and lunch with her at noon, and Rachel accordingly rang the bell at the Page mansion about half past Il. Virginia herself met her, and the two were soon talking earnestly.
 1.-The fact is, Rachel was saying after they had been talking few min- utes q cannot reconcile it with my judgment of what he would do. I can not tell another person what to do, but feel that 1 ought not to accept this offer ;
 What will you do, then?" asked Virginia, with great interest.
 .sI don know yet, but have decid- cd to refuse this offer ?
 Rachel picked up a letter that had been lying in her lap and ran over it's contents again. It was a letter from --tshe manager of 8 comic opera offerfag her place with a large travelling com pany for the season. The salary was very large figure. and the prospect held out by the manager was fattering He had heard Rachel sing that Sunday morning when the stranger had inter- aEa.5 4 1. impressed. There was money in that voice, and 1t ought to be used in comic opera, so said the letter, and the man ager wanted reply as soon as possible
 There's no virtue in saying No to this offer when I have the other one, 2 Rachel went on thoughtfully 'sThat's harder to decide. but I've made up my mind. To tell the truth, Virginia, r III completely convinced in the first case that Jesus would never use any talent like good voice just to make money. But. now take this concert offer. Here is a reputable company to travel with an impersonator and yiolinist and male quartet, all people of good repu- tation. m asked to go as one of the company and sing leading soprano. The salary q mentioned it, d;dn ?1 is to be guaranteed $200 month for the season. Bnt I don feel satisfied that Jesus would go. What do you think P
 You mustn't ask me to decide for yon, = replied Virginia, with sad s smile. .sI believe MT Maxwell was z right when he said we must each one of us decide according to the judgment fe1+ %1 I, l am having harder time than you are, dear, to decide what he would do
 Are you P Rachel asked She rose and walked over to the window and looked out Virginia came and stood by her. The street was crowded with life, and the two young women looked at it silently for 9 moment Suddenly Virginia broke out as Rachel had never heard her before.
 Rachel, what does all this contrast in conditions mean to you as you ask this question of what Jesus would do2 It maddens me to think that the society in which have been brought up, the same to which we are both said to be- long, is satisfied, year after year, to go on dressing and eating and having a good time. giving and receiving enter tainments, spending it's money on houses and luxuries and occasionally, to ease it's conscience, donating, with out any personal sacrifice, little money to charity have been edu- caaed, as you have, in one of the most expensive schools of America, launched into society as an heiress, supposed to be in very enviable position m per fectly we'll I can travel or stay at home, can do as please, can gratify almost any want or desire. and yet when I honestly try to imagine Jesus living the life I have lived and am ex- pected to live and doing for the rest of my life what thousands of other rich people do am under condemnation for being one of the most wicked, selfish, useless creatures in the world. I have not looked out of this window for weeks without feeling of horror toward my self as see the humanity that pours by this house.
 Virginia turned away and walked up and down the room. Rachel watched her and could not repress the rising tide of her own growing definition of disci- p1eship Of what Christian use was her own talent of song? Was the best she could do to sell her talent for so much month. go on concert company tour, dress beautifully, enjoy the ex- citement of public applause and gain reputation as great singer? Was that what Jesus would do?
 She was not morbid She was in sound health. was conscious of great E powers us a singer and knew that if she went out into public life she could make a great deal of money and become well known. It is doubtful if she over estimated her ability to accomplish all she thought herself capable of. And Virginia what she had just said smote