Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1901-05-23

EDWARD BLAKE COLLEGE STUDENT.
BY CHARLES M. HELDO
Author Of TN His Steps" rMalcom Kirk" ~The Cucifxiou of Philip Strong"
"Robert Hadys Seven Days"
COPYRIGHT. 1852 IN g. A. BY ADVANCE PUBLISHING co. CHICAGO
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But when the evangelist had finished
his address and the audience had sung
q hymn he announced that the meeting
was open for testimony, and then Ed
ward Blake began to indulge his pet
habit of criticism. In ten minutes all
the good effect of the evangelist's talk
was dissipatsd from Edwards mind.
The president had said a few words.
very sensibly urging in a quiet but
strong manner the points emphasized
by Mr.. Vail. Edward listened to him
with the respect that was deeper in
him every day. But the very next per-
son to rise was one of the students who
was active In the association work. but
a very poor student In classroom work.
Edward INDUCED in a sheer as he con-
trasted the frequency with which
Wheaton failed to make q recitation
compared with his zeal for religion.
Wheaton had an unfortunate habit al
so of going around the college grounds
with a Bible under his arm, and Ed
ward remembered that all the time he
was speaking. 1t did not count any
with Edward that what Wheaton was
saying was true, and it did not occur to
him to give him credit for being sin
cere eve If he was q poor student. 1t
was almost a crime in Edwards eyes
that a student should have a reputa-
ton for being pious and at the same
time be so poor a student that neither
professors nor scholars could respect
his intellectual life. He could not help
despising a type of Christianity which
was so jealous for Christian character
and so Indifferent to physical and men
tai power.
AS one after another of the students
and professors made brief talks or Of
fered prayer Edward grew more and
more critical. He began to compare
his own righteousness with that Of the
different speakers. That one talking
now was a hypocrite, and he had seen
him do questionable things during ex-
animation. That II praying now was
mean and stingy and selfish in his re-
lations to the other students. This Il
was unpopular on account of a disa-
greeable mannerism, and SO on.
1t was unfortunate for Edward that
the principal speakers that evening
were students who in M way and an
other failed to win his respect. And
yet, Edward Blake, are you any better
yourself, Us you sit and sneer at others
and ~complacently review your own
righteousness? HOW much Christian
ity is there In that? Do you really be-
lieve you are making a better world by
sitting outside the universal struggle
and finding fault with those who at
least have humbly been willing to de.
clare their dependence OF a saving
power outside of themselves? And who
are you, strong in your boosted moral.
ity, to take for granted that these men
who are talking and praying here to-
night do not have their inward strug-
giles after the better life?
1t Is not an exaggeration to say that
Edward left the meeting that night
farther away from the personal Chris.
tian life than V e He had set the bar
rier Of his self righteousness against
the appeal of the evangelist to let the
spirit of truth have it's way regardless
of what other souls might do. and as a
result he went away not only indiffer-
ent. but hardened and established in
his moral standard.
Freeda came out ut the door just as
Edward was going down the chapel
steps. and they walked over to the la.
dies hall together.
She had not seer Edward in the
meeting and was somewhat surprised
that he had come. There was no ques-
ton. however. that she was glad.
Il thought you were too busy with
your debate to come" she said, refer.
ring to u little talk they had had at
noon chapel. when Edward had men.
toned how very busy he was prepar-
ing for the coming contest.
81 didn't expect to-" he answered
shortly.
Ibid you enjoy the meeting, NedY
Freeda asked somewhat timidly.
"No. l can't bear Wheaton or
Jaynes."
Freeda was silent a moment.
But Mr.. Vail and the president
spoke well. The meeting was helpful
on the whole. don't you Think"
Edward did not answer. They had
just come to the steps Of the hall and
chopped a minute there.
"Quite a number Of the girls are inter.
ested. think Miss Field and Ida will
join the church next communion"
Ida was Freeda's roommate. and
Miss Field was a senior who had be-
come much interested In Freeda and
was a good friend Of both of the girls
In the lower class.
A group of the girls went up the
steps into the hall and left Freeda and
Edward alone. Freeda hesitated and
then said simply: u wish you would
join the church, Ned. Mother would
be glad. She said in her last letter to
me that 1t never seemed right that she
and l should belong and you not be a
member"
II shall never belong to a church un.
less ! can be better than most church
members l know" said Edward. I'm.
consciously letting Freeda into the Sc.
cret Of his self Righteousness.