The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-06-08
NUMBER 46.

mercy. l believe my prayer has been
answered.
81 am conscious that some here pres
ent may think that what have said
has been in poor taste; that It has been
an affront to the object of the meeting
or an insult to the feelings of those
In order that the people may know
that l am sincere in all have said I
will say that have placed in the bank
the sum of $4,000 to be used a. the
committee may deem wisest and best
In the education of children In be-
reaved homes or in any way that shall
be for the best good of those In need.
This money Is Gods. l have robbed
him and my brother man all these
years. Whatever restitution I can
make in the next few days desire to
make.
"But the great question with us all,
my friends. is not this particular disas-
ter. That will in time take its place a.
one event out Of thousands In the daily
life of this world. The great event Of
existence is not death; 1t is life. And
the great question of the world Il not
the tariff nor the silver question nor
the labor question nor temperance nor
this nor that nor the other. The great
question of the whole world is selfish
| ness In the heart of man. The great
command is, Seek ye first the kingdom
Of God If we had done that in this
town. believe such physical disaster
as the one we lament would never have
happened. That is our great need
"If we go home from this meeting
| resolved to rebuke our selfishness In
| whatever form 1t is displeasing to God,
and If we begin tomorrow to act out
that resolution In word and deed, we
shall revolutionize this town In its
business, its politics, its church, its
schools, its homes. II we simply allow
our emotions to be stirred, our sympa-
thies to be excited to the giving OF O.
little money on this occasion, It viii do.
us and the community little permanent
good. God wants O complete trans-
formation in the people Of this nation
Nothing less than complete regenera-I
ton can save us from destruction. On
lconsecrated, selfish money and selfish
education, selfish political power and
selfish genius in art, letters and diplo-
macy will sink us as a people into q
gulf of annihilation. There is no saliva
ton for us except In Jesus Christ Let
us believe in him and live In him.
II have said my message. I trust
you have understood it. would not
say otherwise If knew that I should
step off this platform now and stand
before the judgment seat Of Christ
God help us all to do our dutyI Time
is short; eternity is long. Death ID
nothing; life is everything"
Five years after this speech Of Rob
ert Hardy to the people Of Barton In
the town hall one who was present in
the audience described the sensation
that passed through It when the speak
er sat down to be like distinct elec-
trio shock which passed from seat to
seat and held the people fixed and
breathless as If they had been smitten
into. images of stone.
The effect ON the chairman OF the
meeting was the same. He sat motion
less. Then wave of emotion gradual
| ly stirred the audience, and without q
word of dismissal they poured out OF
the building and scattered to their
homes.
Robert found George waiting for
him. The father was almost faint
with the reaction from his address.
George gave his arm, and the two
walked home in silence.
We must pass over hastily the events
of the next day In Robert Hardy's life
The whole town was talking about his
surprising address of the night before
! ! Some thought hel was crazy. Others
, regarded him as sincere, but after the
first effect of his speech had worn o1
/. they criticised him severely for pre-
suming to preach" on such an occa
sion. Still others were puzzled to &C
! count for the change in the man, FOL
that a change had taken place could
not be denied. How slow men are t
acknowledge the power of GOD In thu
human heart! MIR. Hardy went abou
his business very little moved by al
this discussion. He realized that ONLY
!, two more days remained.
He spent the afternoon and evening
= at home, but was interrupted by sew
= = eral calls. After tea the entire famil!
gathered in the room where Clara lay
:, She still remained unconscious, but liv
ing. As Mrs. Hardy was saying some
thing to her husband about his dream
? and the events of the day before Clar'
, = suddenly opened her eyes and distinct
Il ly called out the words:
"Father, what day is itr'
c 1t was like voice out Of the Ion
e dead past. Mr.. Hardy. sitting by tn
e side of the bed. replied quietly. Will
n his heart beat quickly:
l. "This is Friday night, dear child"
d Another question came, uttered
(! the same strange voice:
IT Father, how many more days al
left for you?"
b Tomorrow and Sunday"
n The voice came again:
If 81 shall go with you then"
10 The eyes closed. and the form b'
Is came motionless, as before.
10 1t was very quiet in the room at tt
t. close of Robert Hardy's fifth day.
Is CTO BE CONTINUEDJ