Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-04-24

CHAPTER VIII.

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CHAPTER VIII.
Robert finished most Of the work,
| toiliay as never In all his life before,
and started for home at G. On the way
he made inquiries concerning George,
but nobody had seen him since the
evening before When he reached the
house. he founl hat his wife. utterly
worn out. had lain down for little
sleep. and Alice was caring for the pa.
tients with calm courage and quiet
cbcerfulness that revealed the girls
| strong. self reliant character. Clara's
condition had not changed. She still
lay as II sleeping. Alice reported that
once In the afternoon she had moved
her lips and distinctly called for water.
| Mr.. Hardy and Bess sat down to the
supper table by themselves, and Bess
| again told how she had been saved
from even scratch In that terrible
fail. II was indeed remarkable that
the child did not seem to suffer even
| from the general shock and reaction
from the disaster.
After brief meal Mr.. Hardy went
up stairs TO Clara again. His chief
anxiety now was for her. He believed
that IL the doctors fears were realized
| she would become insane. IL was not
| possible that person Of her tempera.
ment and passion could be otherwise In
case she should come TO consciousness
OF her condition.
AS the evening wore on Mr.. Hardy
felt that his duty lay In his own home
for that night. and he would have to
see his minister some other time. He
thought Of the prayer meeting with
regret and sat by the bed Of tine u,r
conscious girl wondering how II was
| possible that for all these years gone
10y be had been so Indifferent to one Of
the best and most precious opportu-
mites for growing In spiritual man
hood. He heard the bell ring for serv.
Ice, and when II stopped he sat with
bis face In his hands praying.
The prayer meeting In Mr.. Jones'
church was generally very quiet af-
fair. A good many people In the church.
especially those who came to the meet
Ing only occasionally. thought II was
stupid. But IL was noticeable fact
that those who attended regularly
were the ones who did the most work
In the church and the ones who grew
stronger and sweeter In the Christian
life. There was usually no regular sub
ject given out There was very little
talking done. From beginning to close
It was nearly all prayer. Mr.. Jones
did not feel afraid Of the long pauses.
He believed modern American life to
be so full Of nervousness and hurry
that II would not hurt any one to sit
still and think minute or two.
That was the reason - many people
called Mr.. Jones' prayer meetings dull.
because they were not rushing all the
time with sensational or exciting re-
marks and Incidents. Mr.. Jones didn't
believe that was what prayer meet.
Ing was for, and be planned for II &C
cordingly. But this particular evening
was an exception. The great railroad
accident SO near them had stirred the
entire community to its sympathetic
depths. Several families In Mr.. Jones'
church had been sufferers. As II by
tacit consent there was an unusually
large gathering at the church. and the
subject was Of necessity the recent
disaster.
1t was a spontaneous meeting. The
minister briefly opened with the ex-
pressed desire that God would bless
the suffering. prepare the dying and
comfort the living. and almost instant
ly service Of prayer began. which
was like a food In Its continuous out.
pouring. The people seemed urged by
some irresistible feeling to relieve the
pent up strain Of the Gag In prayer.
and such prayers had not been heard
In that church for many years.
A similar scene was witnessed near
the White River Junction railroad dis
aster In 1887 In church near the acci-
dent. The entire morning service was
given up TO prayer. which seemed the
only healthy relief to people suffering
from an overwhelming horror.
II was during the first panse that oc-
Cured that James Carton opened the
door and gave note to some one In the
back seat with request that Il be sent
up to Mr.. Jones. He then turned as II
to go out, but hesitated. came back and
slipped into a vacant seat and waited.
Mr.. Jones received the note. glanced at
its contents and then rose. There was
a singular emotion In his voice as he
spoke.
81 have Just been handed note from
one Of our members. Mr.. Robert Har-
dy, with the request that I read It
aloud to the church tonight:
To You. Ny Dear Pastor. and You. Ny Brothers
and Sisters In Christ:
suppose Il " known TO most OF you that three
Of my children were on the train during the re-
cent accident. asd two Of them escaped with but
slight injuries But my daughter Clara was &C.
r;ousiy injured by the shock, and am at this
moment seated by her side praying that her
reason may bs spared and her possible injuries
prove to be within the region sf cure.
I had planned to be with you tonight.
wanted TO tell the church OF the change that
have lately experienced. do not need to tell
you that for the 25 years that l have been
member Of the church have been member only
In name. have seldom appeared In any OF the
spiritual or devotional services Of the church
have often sat In an attitude Of criticism to the
best preaching. have been q hard man with
4 hsy. hacr1 rnld md ven
reyengcful toward other members Of this church.
I have been q very proud. un-Christian. sesdsh
man.
In the sight OF God I have been an altogether
unworth, member OF the church Of Christ. do not
tsA. any pride to myself In making this confes-
siou. but feel that 1t II due to you. and some.
thing tells me shall have more peace Of mind II
speak to ycu a. have lately prayed to God
Il ID not necessary. neither have ] time nor
strength. to tell you how have been brought to
zee my seleshnes In al its enormity. 1t u
enough IL say to you that most sincerely BE-
deyc that have misunderstood very largely the
light meaning Of human existencs. I want to
pray with you and for you You viii let me ~
this also, bearing with me. a. this may be my
last opportunity to say 10 you what lies In my
heart: Serve the church Of Christ, al you who
have taken upon you it vows. with enthusiasm
and loyalty Stand BY the superintendent Of the
Sunday school. attend this week night service
when you can. making Il ths most important ssfv'
| Ice Of the week. and. more than oil. live tras.
dmple. loving Christian lives every day.
Il may seem strange that an preaching like
this to you Who have probably done your duty isf
better than ever did. but vtsh to ~ what
lies deep In my heart to ~ tonight. II there
are any young men n the meeting tonight,
want to say to then. become Chfistians at ths
core. not In name simply. . J hsvs bssa. and.