The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-02-07


present in the company of disciples from
Nazareth Avenue church who faced Dr.
Bruce in that meeting after the morn
ing service. It is also certain that Fe-
3icia had never known such an expert
,ence and never would have thought OF
sharing it with her mother if 1t had not
been for the prayer the evening before
Another fact is also known Of Felicia 8
experience at this time. When she
finally joined her father and Rose at
the table, she seemed unable to tell
them much about the meeting. There
was reluctance to speak Of 1t, as one
might hesitate to attempt description
of wonderful sunset to person who
never talked about anything but the
weather. When that Sunday in the
Sterling mansion was drawing to
close and the soft. warm lights through
cut the dwelling were glowing through
the great windows, in corner OF her
room where the light was obscure Fe-
Ecia kneeled, and when she raised her
face and turned it toward the light 1t
was the face Of a woman who had all
ready defined for herself the greatest
issues of earthly life.
That same evening, after the Sunday
evening service, the Rev. Calvin Bruce,
D.D., of Nazareth Avenue church, was
talking over the events of the day with
his wife They were of one heart and
mind in the matter and faced their new
future with all the faith and courage
of new disciples. Neither was deceived
as to the probable results of the pledge.
to themselves or to the'church.
They had been talking but a little
while when the bell rang, and DR..
Bruce, going to the door, exclaimed as
he opened it: '.It is you. Edwardl
Come in:''
There came into the hall command
ing figure. The bishop was of extraor-
diary height and breadth of shoulder
but of such good proportions that there
was no thought of ungainly or even OF
unusual size. The impression the bishop
made on strangers was first that OF
great health and then of great affection.
He came into the parlor and greeted
AIRS. Bruce. who after a few moments
was called out Of the room. leaving the
two men together.
The bishop sat in deep easy chair
before the open fire. There was just
enough dampness in the early spring of
the year to make an open fire pleasant.
Calvin. you have taken very seri-
GUS step today he finally said, lifting
his large Sark eyes to his old college
classmates face. 81 heard of 1t this
afternoon could not resist the desire
to see you about it tonight.
sIm glad you came. > DR.. Bruce sat
near the bishop AMI laid hand on his
shoulder '1Yoa understand what this
means. Edward? 2
ssI think do-yes; am sure. The
bishop spoke very slowly and thought
fully. He sat with his hands clasped to-
gether. Over his face. marked with
lines of conservation and service and
the love Of men. shadow crept. a
shadow not caused by the freight.
Again he lifted his eyes toward his old
friend
calvin. we have always understood
each other Ever since our paths led us
in different ways in church life we have
walked together in Christian fellow
ship
eft is true. replied DR. Bruce. with
an emotion he made no attempt to con-
ceal or subdue Thank God for it. |
prize your fellowship more than any
mans / have always known what 1t
meant. though it has always been more
than deserve.
The bishop looked affectionately at
his friend. but the shadow still rested
on his face. After pause he spoke
again
The new discipleship means a crisis
cor you in your work If you keep this
pledge to do all things as Jesus woald
do. as know You VIII. it requires no
prophet to predict some remarkable
changes in your parish : The bishop
looked wistfully at Bruce and then con-
tinued In fact. do not see how a
perfect upheaval OF Christianity as we
now know it can be prevented If the
ministry and churches generally take
the Raymond pledge and live it cut.
He paused as if ne were waiting for his
friend to say something, to ask some
question. but Bruce cid not know Of
the fre that was burning in the bishop 9
heart over the very question that Max
well and himself had fought out.
'sNow. in my church. for instance.
continued ,9:a bishoi, 1T woaid bo
rather q dilAi;;c;.lt matter, ! fea1. TO find
very ,asnv s.eo..io vsAo woa!d t@ke q
rleage Ike ee.:at ;;;..::!! Eve II, 70 it 1;.r-
tvrGo,a Is :, lost al,5 VITA Us. Ger Chris
tian;tv lovcs Is casa and co:afa..e too
well 10 t:s;Sc 15.o ally-tl,ii;ls 50 ros3.sh aad
heavy as a cros.:. and Yet what Goes fo.-
lowing Jesus lnean: What is it TO walk
in his steps:
The bishop was soliloquizins now.
and it is d5a3tfcl if be thought Ter me
moment Of his friends presence. For
the first time there flashed into Brace $