Brookings weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1898-1903, 1900-03-29

INo, sH. i Hedu I'LL Ine prOIeSSOrs
and people in Fairview and all the
thinking people Of Milton and every
one who knows you, Philip. Every
one knows that whatever else you lacl
1t isn't brains"
I'D like to borrow few just now
though, for i seem to have lost most OF
mine. Lend me yours, won't you
Sarah, until | settle this question Of
the callp
mo. sir. Ii you can't settle a plair
question like this with all your brains
you couldn't do any better with the ad
dition Of the little | have"
"Then you really think, do you
Sarah, that | ought to accept this al
the leading of the spirit of God ant
follow without hesitation"
Mrs. Strong replied with almost tear
full earnestness:
Phillip, 1t seems to me like the lead
ing of his hand. Surely you hav,
shown your willingness and your cour
age and your sacrifice by your work
here. But your methods are distaste-
ful, and your preaching has so far
reused only antagonism. Oh, l dread
the thought of this life for you another
Day. 1t looks to me like suicidal pol
Icy, with nothing to show for it when
you have gone through with it."
Philip spread the letter out on the
couch, and his face grew more and
more thoughtful as he gazed into the
face of his wife, and his mind went
over the ground of his church expert
ence. If only-he was perhaps think
ing-if only the good God had not given
him so sensitive and fine tempered a
spirit of conscientiousness. He almost
envied men of coarse, blunt feelings,
of common ideals Of duty and service.
His wife watched him anxiously.
She knew 1t was crisis with him.
At last he said:
well Sarah, don't know but
you're right. The spirit is willing.
but the flesh is weak. The professor
ship would be free from the incessant
worry and anxiety of parish, and
then might be just as useful in the
seminary as | am here-who knowsY'
"Who knows, indeedT exclaimed
Sarah joyfully. At the same time she
was almost crying. She picked up
the letter and called Philips attention
to the clause which granted him a
year abroad in case he accepted.
"Think of that, Philip! Your dream
of foreign travel can come true now"
THAT is"-Philip looked out of the
window over the dingy roof of shed
near by to the gloomy tenements-
"that is, supposing l decide to accept"
"Supposing! But you almost the same
as said Oh, Philip, say you will! Be
reasonable! This is the opportunity of
q lifetimew
"That's true" replied Philip.
"You may not have another such
chance as this as long as you live. You
are young now and with every pros
pect Of success in work Of this kind.
1t is new work, Of the kind you like.
You will have leisure and means to
carry on important experiments and
influence for life young men entering
the ministry. Surely, Philip, there is
as great opportunity for usefulness
and sacrifice there as anywhere. 1t
must be that the will Of God Is in this.
1t comes without any seeking on your
part"
"Yes, indeedw Philip spoke with the
only touch Of pride he ever exhibited.
1t was pride In the knowledge that he
was absolutely free from self glory or
self seeking.
"Then say you will accept. Say you
will, Philip"
The appeal, coming from the person
dearest to him in all the world, moved
Philip profoundly. He took the letter
from her hand. read 1t over carefully
and again laid II down on the couch.
Then he said:
Sarah, must pray over 1t. I need
q little time. You will have reason
Philip paused, as his habit sometimes
was, and at that moment the bell rang,
and Mrs. Strong went down stairs. As
she went along she felt almost per-
suaded that Philip would yield. Some,
thing of his tone seemed to imply that
the struggle in his mind was nearly
ended.
The callers Al the door were three
men who had been to see Philip sew
eral times to talk with him about the
mill troubles and the labor conflict In
general. They wanted to see Philip
Mrs. Strong was anxious about the
condition of Philips health. She asked
the men to come In and went up stairs
again.
"Can you see themf Are you strong
enoughw she asked.
"Yes; tell them to come up. I am
comfortable now."
Philip was resting easily, and after a
careful look at him Mrs. Strong went
down stairs.
To her surprise two Of the men had