People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1900-02-22


was. It is certain that she must have
told her mother something of the spir-
itual power that had awed every person
present in the company of disciples from
Nazareth Avenue church who faced DR.
Bruce in that meeting after the morn
ing service 1t is also certain that Fe-
licia had never known such an expert
ence and never would have Thought of
sharing it with her mother if it had not
been for the prayer the evening before
Another fact is also known of Felicia g
experience at this time When she
finally joined her father and Rose at
the table, she seemed unable to tell
them much about the meeting There
was a reluctance to speak of 1t, as one
might hesitate to attempt description
Of a wonderful sunset to person who
never talked about anything but the
weather When that Sunday in the
Sterling mansion was drawing to a
close and the soft, warm lights through
out the dwelling were glowing through
the great windows, in a corner of her
room where the light was obscure Fe-
licia kneeled. and when she raised her
face and turned it toward the light it
was the face Of a woman who had al
ready defined for herself the greatest
issues of earthly life.
That same evening, after the Sunday
evening service, the Rev. Calvin Bruce,
D. D., of Nazareth Avenue church. was
talking over the events of the day with
his wife They were Of one heart and
mind in the matter and faced their new
future with all the faith and courage
of new disciples. Neither was deceived
as to the probable results of the pledge
to themselves or to the church.
They had been talking but little
while when the bell rang, and DR.
Bruce, going to the door, exclaimed as
he opened it; at is you, Edward
Come inr'
There came into the hall command
ing figure, The bishop was of extraor
diary height and breadth of shoulder,
but of such good proportions that there
was no thought Of ungainly or even of
unusual size. The impression the bishop
made on strangers was ccst that of
great health and then of great affection.
He came into the parlor and greeted
Mrs. Bruce, who after a few moments
was called out of the room, leaving the
two men together
The bishop sat in a deep easy chair
before the open fire. There was Just
enough dampness in the early spring of
the year to make an open fire pleasant.
Calvin, you have taken a very seri-
GUS step today" he finally said, lifting
his large dark eyes to his old college
classmates face. 81 heard of it this
afternoon. | could not resist the desire
to see you about it tonight"
'T'm glad you came. Dr.. Bruce sat
near the bishop and laid hand on his
shoulder. "You understand what this
means, EdwardT"
81 think l do-yes; l am sure. The
bishop spoke very slowly and thought
fully. He sat with his hands clasped to-
gether. Over his face, marked with
lines of conservation and service and
the love of men, shadow crept, a
shadow not caused by the freight
Again he lifted his eyes toward his old
friend
Calvin, we have always understood
each other. Ever since our paths led us
in different ways in church life we have
walked together in Christian fellow
ship"
ut is true, replied Dr.. Bruce with
an emotion he made no attempt 10 con-
ceal or subdue. THANK God for it |
prize your fellowship more than any
mans have always known what it
meant, though it has always been more
than / deserve"
The bishop looked affectionately at
his friend, but the shadow still rested
on his face After a pause he spoke
again;
1.-THE new discipleship means a crisis
for you in your work If you keep this
pledge to do all things as Jesus would
do, as | know you will. it requires no
prophet TO predict some remarkable
changes in your parish. " The bishop
looked wistfully at Bruce and then con.
tinued; I'm fact. do not see how a
perfect upheaval Of Christianity as we
now know it can be prevented if the
ministry and churches generally take
the Raymond pledge and live it out.
He paused as if he were waiting for his
friend to say something. to ask some
question, but Bruce did not know Of
the fire that was burning in the bishops
heart over the very question that Max
well and himself had fought out.
Now. in my church. for instance.
continued the bishop, sit would be
rather difficult matter, l fear, to find
very many people who would take a
pledge like that and live up to it Mar
tyrdom is lost art with us. Our Chris
tianity loves its ease and comfort toe
well to take up anything so rough and
heavy as a cross, and yet what does fol
lowing Jesus meant What is it to WALL
in his stepsf"
The bishop was soliloquizing now.
and it is doubtful if he thought for the
moment Of his friends presence. Fol-
the first time there flashed into Bruce
mind a suspicion of the truth. What il
the bishop should throw the weight Of
his great influence on the side of the