The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-01-17

have kept my membership mp and am
in good standing in that way l try to
bc wise and not provoke any unneces-
sary criticism. but you would be sur
prised to know how many of the men
have responded to my appeal l could
hardly make you believe that only o
few nights ago dozen men became
honestly and earnestly engaged in
conversation over religious questions.
! have had the great joy of seeing some
Of the men give mp bad habits and be-
gin new life. What would Jesus dor
I keep asking it, The answer comes
slowly, for l am feeling my way along.
One thing have found out-the men
are not fighting shy Of me. I think
that is good sign. Another thing-I
have actually interested some Of them
in the Rectangle work. and when it is
started up they will give something to
help make it more powerful. and, in
addition to all the rest, have found
way to save some of the young fellows
from going to the bad in gambling"
Rollin spoke\ with enthusiasm. His
face was transformed by his interest in
the subject which had now become a
part Of mis- real life. Rachel again noted
the strong. manly. healthful tone Of
his speech. With it all she knew was o
deep. underlying seriousness which felt
the burden Of the cross even while car
rying 1t with Joy. The next time she
spoke it was with > swift feeling Of
justice due to Rollin and his new life.
''Do You remember ! reproached You
once for not having any purpose worth
living fort" she asked, while her beau.
tiful face seemed to Rollin more beau
tiful than ever when he had won suffi.
cieEs self control 70 look up. II want
to say ! feel the need Of saying, in JUS
tice to you now, that I honor you for
your courage ard your obedience to
your promise. The life you are living
now is very noble one"
Rollin trembled. His agitation was
greater than he could control. Rachel
could not help seeing it. They walked
along in silence. At last Rollin said:
81 thank you. It has been more than
/ can tell to hear you say that" He
looked into her face for one moment.
She read his love for her in that look.
but he did not speak.
When they separated. Rachel went
into the house. and. sitting down in
her room. she put her face in her hands
end 90 d to herself: II am beginning
10 know what 1t means to be loved by
. noble man ] shall love Rollin Page.
after all. What am saying, Rachel
Winslow, have You forgotten"-
She rose and walked X and forth.
She was deeply moved. Nevertheless it
was evident to herself that her emotion
was not that of regret or sorrow. Some
how glad, new joy had come to her.
Sho bad entered another circle of OK
pericnce, and later in the day she re-
jciced with very strong and sincere
gladness that her Christian discipleship
found room for this crisis in her feel
ing. 1t was indeed part Of it, for if
she were beginning to love Rollin it
was the Christian man who had won
her heart. The other never would have
moved her to this great change.
And Rolin as he went back treasured
a hope that mad been u stranger to hin
since Rachel had said no that day. l.,
that hope he went ON with his worl; as
the days sped on, and at no time was
he more successful in reaching and saw
ing his old acquaintance than in the
time that followed that chance meeting
with Rachel Winslow.
The summer had gone, and Raymond
was once more facing the rigor of her
winter season. Virginia had been able
to accomplish part Of her plan for
capturing the Rectangle," as she
called it, but the building of houses in
the field. the transforming of its bleak,
bare aspect into an attractive park, all
OF which was included in her plan. was
a work too large to be completed that
fall after she had secured the property.
But million dollars in the hands of a
person who really wants to do with it
as Jesus would ought to accomplish
wonders for humanity in short time.
and Henry Maxwell, going over 70 the
scene of the new work one day after a
noon hour with the shopmen. was
amazed to see how much had been done
outwardly.
Yet he walked home thoughtfully.
and on his way he could not avoid the
question Of the continual problem thrust
into his notice by the saloon. How
much had been done for the Rectangle,
after all Even counting in Virginia's
and Rachel's work and Mr.. Gray's,
where had ii actually counted in any
visible quantityF OF course he said to
himself that the redemptive work begun
and carried on by the Holy Spirit in
his wonderful displays Of power in the
First church and in the tent meetings
had had its effect on the life Of Ray
mond. but as he walked past saloon aft
or saloon and noticed the crowds going
in and coming ont Of them. as he saw
tho wretched dens. as many as ever ap-
parently. as he caught the brutality and