The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-02-14

w N~~N1SS SS>S~~SS~S|S"v'S
'.Yes Let me state my reasons.
ffobably they are the same as yours.
N fact, i am sure they are The
o1nhop paused . moment. then went o..
With increasing feeling:
''Calvin, you know how many years
have been doing the work of my posi-
taon. and you know something Of the
ixstponibility and the care of it. do
not mean to say that my life has been
~ from burden bearing Or sorrow,
Ut have certainly led what the poor
md duperate Of this sinful city would
oau . very comfortable-yes. q very
1axurious-hfe. I have q beautiful
h0use 60 live In. the most expensive
eood clothing and physical pleasures.
lave been able TO 60 abroad at least
donen times and have enjoyed for years
- beautiful companicnship Of art and
1steers and musc and s.n the rest of the
v0y best h,s.o ,isver known what it
H>eant 70 b without money or its
equfvalent and have been unable to
otnoe the question Of late, What have
1S16Hed foR the sake Of Christi Paul
Wes told what great things he must
sn&se for the sake Of his Lord. May
w1G1's position at Raymond is well tax
e when he insists that to walk in the
seep Of Christ means to suffer. Where
- my suffering come inf The petty
triab and annoyances Of my clerical life
are, not worth mentioning as sorrows or
suffering. Compared with Paul or any
q the Christian martyrs or early disci-
ples. have lived q luxurious, sinful
Me. full Of ssse and pleasure. / cannot
eadure this any longer. have that
within me which of late rises in over
whelming condemnation of such fol-
lowing Of JesuA have not been walk
Ing tn his steps Under the present sys-
ten df church and social life see no
escape from this condemnation except
- give the rest Of my life personally to
80 actual physical and soul needs Of
he wretched people in the worst part
of this city,"
The bishop had risen now and walked
sver to the window. The street In front
q tho house was a. light a. day, and
- looked out at the crowds passing.
then turned. and. with passionate ut
tezance that showed how deep the vol
eanio iire In him burned. he exclaimed:
-CAlvin. this h . terrible city In
which we live. Its misery. it's sin. its
ss11xhnsss. appall my heart. and have
struggled for years with the sickening
dResd Of the time when should be
forced to leave the pleasant luxury Of
my ofiicial position to pat my life into
contact with the modern paganism Of
this century. The awful condition of
tho girls In the great department stores.
tho brutal seldshness Of the insolent So
eiety. fashion and wealth that ignores
al the sorrows Of the city, the fearful
cure Of the drink and gambling hell.
the wall Of the unemployed. the hatred
q the church by countless men who sec
IN the church only greet piles of costly
seonc and upholstered furniture and the
minister as a luxurious idler. all the
vast tumult Of this vast torrent of hu-
nanity with its false and its true ideas.
Ii exaggeration Of evils in the church
and its bitterness and shame hat are
the result Of many complex causes-all
his as total fact. in its contrast with
tho easy. comfortable life have lived,
Nils me more and more with a sense of
mingled terror and self accusation.
have heard the words Of Jesus many
times lately. Inasmuch as ye did IL not
unto one OF these least, my brethren,
-ye did 10 not 10 me- And when have
orsonally visited the prisoner or the
d0nperate or the sinful in any way that
has actually carsed me sufferings
Rather i have followed the cnnven-
tional. soft habits of my posi- sion and
Asve lived In the society Of the rich.
refined. aristocratic members of my con-
gregations Where has the suffering
come INT What have I suffered for
Jesus sakeS Do you know. Calvin
tho bishop turned abruptly toward his
friend-"I have been tempted of late
70 lash myself with scourgc. II I had
lived in Martin Luther's time. would
nave barred my back to q self inflicted
torture
DIR. Bruce was very pale. Never had
he seen the bishop OF heard him when
under the influence Of such q passion
There was sudden silence in tho room.
The bishop had sat down again and
bowed his head DIR. Bruce spoke us last
edward. do not need to say that
you have expressed my feelings also.
have been In similar position for
years My life has been one of compar.
atiye luxury. do not. OF course, mean
20 say that have not hard trials and
discouragements and burdens in my
church ministry. but l cannot say that
have suffered any for Jesus That
verse in Peter haunts me. Christ also
suffered for you. leaving You an exam
pie that ye should follow his steps.
have lived in luxury do not know
what it means 10 want. l also have had
my leisure for travel and beautiful com.
panionship. have been surrounded by
soft. easy comforts Of civilization. The
ain and misery of tbis great CITY bovo