The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-06-22

CHAPTER l.
The senior class in the theological
seminary at Hermon had just had it's
picture taken by the photographer, and
the members were still grouped about
the steps of the chapel.
There's one thing the photographer
forgot" said a short, red faced man
who sat in the middle of the group.
HE didn't think to say, Look pleas
ant, now, il you please"
HE didn't need to. We all look so,
anyhow" The man who spoke sat
Immediately behind the first speaker
and had his hands on the others shOul-
ders.
"I'm sure we don't feel very pleas
ant. l mean, we are not pleased to
think this Is almost the last time we
shall be together as a class" said a
tall, delicate. pale faced man who was
standing up at the top of the steps
with his back against the door.
He spoke in d quiet, low voice, and
there was a hush after he spoke. There
is as much sentiment among theologic-
al students as among any average
number of professional men. In some
directions there is more than among
the like number of law or medical stu
dents.
After a moment of silence some one
began to ask questions about the fu-
ture prospects of the class. The red
faced. jolly looking young man in the
center was going to take church in
northern Vermont. The man just be-
hind him had received call as assist,
ant pastor of an institutional church in
Philadelphia. The delicate featured
student up by the chapel door was go,
ing to teach school a year and find a
church as soon as he had paid off his
college debts.
Every member Of the class had spo
ken of his prospects except one. This
one sat on the extreme edge of the
group. as if he had purposely choser
to be as inconspicuous as possible ir
the picture. A stranger carelessly
walking by would have instantly judg
ed him to be the homeliest, least in
teresting man in the class. He ha(
dull brown hair. very heavy and stiff
pale blue eyes. a rather large mouth
| the lips of which. however, were firm
and full of character, high cheek bone!
and an unusually high forehead. Hi
arms and legs were very long, and hi
| general attitude, as he sat on the edg'
| of the steps, was almost strikingly
| awkward.
| Here's Kirk; hasn't said wore
| yet" cried the little man who hat
first spoken. what are you going t.
do, KirkY
Every member Of the class turnet
and looked at the figure sitting on tn
edge of the group. 1t was noticeable
that while several of the class smile'
at the question, What are you goini
to do?' there was no disrespect in tn
smile, and on every mans face wa
look of real interest. amounting t
an excited curiosity.
Malcolm Kirk smiled slightly as b.
looked up. He did not look at an
| member of the class in particular, bu
seemed to include them all in a friend
ly interest that was affectionate an
gentle.
81 don't know. am waiting for
call. rve had one and accepted it, bu
need another before l can 60 t
work."
Everybody stared. The man up b
the chapel door had look in his ey
as If he understood what Kirk mean
but no one else seemed to catch hi
meaning.
"My first call was from the Lore
several years ago. feel perfectly sa
isfied with it. He wants me to preacl
But so far none of the churches seem
to agree with him. At least none {
them has asked me to preach. So II
waiting for my second CALL"
He spoke without the least touch {
irreverence or even humor. The in
preston made on the class was fee
ing Of honest perplexity concerning tt
future prospects of Malcom Kirk.
; 81 don't see." said the man who W;
to be the assistant pastor Of the inst
tutional church in Philadelphia, "wt
Kirk hasn't had call to lars
brains than all the rest Of us put t
gether. think it is shame IL
churches should pass by such a ms
and''-
ITS easy enough to see the reason
Kirk spoke without the shadow of al
irritation in his manner. You fellow
know as well as do that brains und
hair like mine don't count with Il
average city congregation" He laug
q ed good naturedly. and the class join,
Il him. Then some one said:
"Why don't you dye it black, Kirk
u 81 can't afford to-" he replied gray
|. ly. "That isn't the only reason l dol
get a CALL I'm too awkward in t
pulpit. Did l tell anybody the la
time preached in the Third church
Concord l knocked a vase Of flowe
OF the pulpit with my elbow, and VIII
1t fell on the floor it walked up eve
officer in the church? OF course ne
:. er could expect to get call from th
< church"
/ Everybody laughed, and Kirk DIRE
one Of his feet up under him and smil
a little. At the same time no one cot
detect a trace of i'll humor or lack
seriousness in his tone or manner. T
first impression Malcom Kirk made
people was that of downright sinceri