The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-07-24

the bottom of the whisky business in
any state, whether it has a prohibitory
statute or not, is the incentive of great
financial returns for a very little real
labor and also the human passion for
drink, two things which Kirk says
must be recognized by the temperance
people and always reckoned upon in
the problem of temperance.
at remains therefore to be said that
so far as Kirk and his wife are con-
cerned the contest they began here,
the battle they entered for victory over
the world, still goes on. Is there a
place in the world where a Christian
may cease from fighting the good fight
of the faith? But am profoundly
touched by the extent of overcoming
to be seen in this place. l have been
unable to silence the question, What If
every minister as he entered a new
place, no matter how small or diff
cult, entered it with a passion like
Kinks to redeem the lost part of it
and bring it back to God? l know
this much is true Of the work done
here There has been no unusual eX-
citement and no extraordinary means
! employed to produce the astonishing
results. There is no question that Kirk
has certain qualities that have helped
him. His voice is. as it always was, a
fine instrument. He knows how to
talk to people, and he writes uncom-
monty well. But, on the other hand.
he is still awkward, homely of appear
ance and by no means always at his
best. He loves people. He longs, as
Paul did, for the salvation of the
world. And there lies the secret of his
work. 1t is nothing which other men
may not also have.
| 81 don't know a minister in our
churches anywhere who might not
claim all that Malcom Kirk and his
wife have claimed. They have over
come the world by means of their love,
by following the plain path of duty at
the cost of suffering, by not pleasing
themselves. They are still engaged in
the struggle. 1t will never cease this
side of death and paradise. But l wish
that every pastor and every church
might come here and see what has been
done and what the future seems GER
| tain to record. The most malignant
forces of evil have evidently arrayed
| themselves against Kirk and his wife,
and so far these two have overcome
them all. Heaven has won the victory
| out here, and do not know why it
should not do so everywhere. Do we
want the world to be saved? Do we
have a passion to save it? Do we put
the kingdom first? If we did, should
we not see the results everywhere that
we see here? | shall return home from
my visit to Malcolm Kirk with that
question sounding in my heart"
There was one brief allusion in this
letter which meant even more than
Wilson knew 1t was his allusion to
what he called Malcom Kinks ''pe-
culiar habits of generosity" lndi-
rectly these led to events which have
to do with this history of the human
conflict against sin and involved In
that growing conflict all the members
of Kinks family.
A few days after Wilson's departure
Faith and her mother were sitting to-
gether in the common room," as Faith
called it. the room that the family
used for dining and sitting room to
gether. Dorothy was sewing, and
Faith was helping her with some work
ON the boys suits.
1t was about II o'clock in the morn
ing, and Malcom Kirk was up stairs
in his study. The boys were at school
and Faith. who had finished the higf
school, had been stay ing at home fol
two years helping her mother.
"Mother, how does Gilbert manage
to tear his coat across the back Iikt
that?' asked Faith, holding up thai
garment and looking at it with grave
astonishment.
Dorothy could not help smiling, al
though the next instant she sighed
little.
'He said one of the boys pushed hin
against a wire fence last Saturda.
while they were out fishing near 'Th'
Forks"
"Well. the boy that did it ought to b.
made to wear it after | have mendet
it. That would be making the punish
ment fit the crime,'" said Faith a
she stabbed the back of the coat will
big needle and began turning owe
the basket to find some thread.
I'm sorry Gilbert hasn't bette
;2suit," said Dorothy gravely. "He mus
try to get along with it this fall, any
way. Mend it as carefully as you can
: Faith"
"Yes, ma'am," replied Faith. 81 an
| 10 ind w
silk. At the same time, mother, don
you think white silk on. black back
ground would be a warning to Gilbel
not to get his coat torn again?'
Mrs. Kirk laughed. and before sh
could answer tie bell rang.
Faith put asi lie the work and wen
to the door.
) ''Can see NJ. KirkY' asked voic
5 that Dorothy recognized at once.
NO" said Faith decidedly. "Fathe
: is in his study writing. and he ough
l. not to be disturbed"
0 But he told lne to call today, and
want to see him very much
"Did he tell you to call this morr
{ ing?"
: "Well-no-he said today. But
couldn't come at any other time"
There was silence moment Will
tE Faith stood holding the door uncertain
o Iy, but still resOlutely blocking the el
l trance.
Malcolm Kirk came out Of his stud
e at the top of the upper hall. SIS tn.
Mr.. Barnes, Faith? Tell him to com
up"
e Faith at once stepped aside, and
o shabby looking man came in. AS h