Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-02-07


Philip. with q brief return Of his teas
ing habit.
mo. sir. mean all the professors
and people in Fair;;'ew and all the
thinking people of Milton and every
one who knows you, Philip. Every
one knows that whatever else you lack
it isn't brainS.'
I'D like to borrow q few just now,
though. frr seem to have lost most of
mine. Lend me yours. won't you,
Sarah. until settle this question of
the callT'
mo. sir. If you can't settle plain
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 as
the leading of the spirit Of God and
follow without hesitation"
Mrs. Strong replied with almost tear
full earnestness:
philip. II seems to me like the lead
ing of his hand. Surely you have
shown your willingness and your cour'
age and your sacrifice by your work
here. But your methods are distaste-
full, and your preaching has so far
reused only antagonism. Oh, 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 ana
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
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 it 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 he just as useful in the
seminary us l am here-who knows"
'Who knows, indeed?' exclaimed
Sarah joyfully. At the same time she
was almost crying. She picked up
the letter and called Philips attention
20 the clause which granted him
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 decide to accept
"Supposing! But you almost the same
as said Oh. Philip, say you will! Be
reasonable. This is the opportunity of
a lfetime.'
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.
pcct of success in work of this kind.
1t is Few work, of the kind you like.
You will have leisure and means to
carry OH 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 he that the will of God is in this.
1t comes without any seeking on your
part"
Yes. indeed" 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 it over carefully
and again laid it down on the couch
Then he said:
Sarah. | must pray over it. | need
a 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 at the door were three
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 them? Are you strong
enough?" she asked.
Yes; tell them to come up. am
comfortable now"
Philip was resting easily, and after a
careful look ut him Mrs. Strong went
down stairs.
TO her surprise two of the men had
gone. The one who remained eX-
planned that he thought three persons
would excite or tire the minister more
than one. He had staid and would
not trouble Philip very long. But the
business on which he came was of
such an important nature that he felt
obliged to see the minister if he could
do so without danger to him.
So the man went up. and Philip
greeted him with his usual hcartincSS
cXcuSng himself for not rising. Tile