The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-02-10

20. Lord. If il We're a prayer instead
Of a sermon, / could write fast enough
and yet. would it ~ a prayer that a
minister of Coda man of faith--should
write? Lord | believe, help thou mine
unbelief!"
Yes, it was hard. The wolf was at the
door. For the past week BethS life
had hung in the balance, and the min
lister was Worn With much watching
and nursing. Even now, when the scale
had turned definitely prayer tipp-
ed he said-in Beth favor. incessant
care and vigil We're required to hold the
advantage rol her. Ard the things she
needed. And he hal no money.
Water raDa.
The Rev. Jonathan had dropped
asleep. 1t was an effort to wake, to
pun himself together He was weak
and so tired
Water. papa"
Yes dear"
IN the coolest corner of the room was
dark gray bundle. Rev Jonathan
Long kneit over it. and from many
unfoidings of blankets and newspaper,
withdrew a stone lar. This contained.
embedded in ice a number of tiny
large mouthed jars-such as come from
concentrated food for inyalids Mr.
Long removed one. re-wrapped the
big jar; and from the little one filled a
feeding cup with cream, which he held
to his daughters lips. coaxing her TO
take the last drop.
The Rev. Jonathan was a graduate
OF Yale He was a graduate, too, in the
school Of small economies, taking equal
,N*t, "a
frigerator arrangement and division of
milk into minute quantities prevented
waste
IN the next room 74ary was sleeping
poor Mary. II was a tiny apartment,
doing duty as study in daytime and
he'd chamber at night. There the Rev.
Jonathan had kept his regular office
hours during the past week. He always
had callers during office hours. He was
not an eloquent preacher but he was Il
popular pastor. People came to him
with their troubles. Yes. he had sat
there listening to the mother, who ask
ed him to pray with her that her child
might be converted; 10 a man whose wife
had n bad temper, or whose business was
going 20 rur. or who wanted to con-
Quer thirst fer strong drink; to
wife whose husband neglected her; TO
a girl unhappy at nome: TO a great,
strong. slothTul fellow who couldn't get
work; to Il woman who showed black
bruises - her face and VINO asked him
to pray thaG she might be able TO for
give the husband. WED had struck her
pray that God sSould help Eer TO be
more patient ard long suffering. He
had talked with them ALL prayed with
them. and tried to establish their faith.
on his knees he would plead:
20. Father. We know that thou lowest
ard watchest over us and our dead ones
and art able to KEEP and save TO the
uttermostA"
And all the While he would hardly
know what lie was saying, his Enstrung
senses falsely interfering him that he
heard Beth's wei for water to tired
mother who, Worn With much watch
ing. had fallen asleep. Then he would
recover himself, AMI with passionate
tervor beseech the Almighty to give
these people the thing they desired
with more passionate fervor stiil-al-
most with aSony-that he would give
the best gift of all-belief in his love
and wisdom--whethec their desire were
granted or not
Papa"
lie was asleep again, the sermon yet
unwritten. He got out another jar OF
cream. gave it to the child. and read
dressed himself to his task.
The Rev Jonathan, as a rule. prepared
his sermons with great care. He would
shut out Interruptions, give himself
up to his subject, compare texts and
authorities, and. keeping the color of
his own sorrows. stl uggles and trials
frs a
carefully thought-our discourse-a good
academic sermon that would not cause
any poor, doubling soul to trembie in
these times OF agnostic questionings
and unbelief lie did not have large
congregations. and hc-could not under
STAND why. when he tried so hard and
cave such coed sound doctrine.
'-ionn, dear" his wife's gentle hand lay
cn his head Il hate to wake Yoa. but it's
nearly time for church. Here's your
breakfast" 1t was ONLY coffee ana rolls
no butter Il wish ] had an egg for you,
Iocr dear.
Iio looked at her with wisJful yearning
and with something of the old lover look
that she always saw in his eyes. She
was very young; she had been little more
than child when they had married. Had
she realized the cross she Yves assuming
in sharing his let? When, later be was
offered n choice between a comfcrSah
country parish and this struggling ely
mission and mad accepted the latter, feel
ing that he followed his Masters guild
ance in working among the poor and the
outcast, she lad sustained his decision.
But again, had she realized what it
would bring upon her?
Mary he said, with sudden hea,.
I'm not going to let you struggle as
you have. I'm not going to let Beth suffer
10. necessaries. I'm g man, able TO make
living for my family. I'm going 10 quit
the ministry. Fp G failure III it,"
20. john darling husn. you're tired
and overwrougrt Finish ycGr breakfast.
now there's dear. so you can hurry Of
to the mission
Il have no sermon ready" he said. u
don't krcw what TO say TO my people"
Just tell them the truth then, John.
Say Beth's been sick and Gods making
her we'll. ana hcw good God is. God wiI
teach you what 10 say. Depend on God
fer your sermon, TO-DAY. John"
God bless you. MGTy.
few minutes later, as looking his
hest N his worn. black suit he kissel