Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1901-11-29
CHAPTER VII.

darkncsS OF physical night that OPP
pressed her. She thought she realized
with vividness more real than she
had ever before experienced the gulf
that separated her from the young
minister OF Marble Square church.
With almost grim resolve she said 10
herself: Il have dreamed vain
dream. | will give myself up now 10
my career. Whatever ambition have
shall center about the possibilities of
service. lie can never be anything TO
me. 1t would risk all his prospects in
life, even if-even if-he should come
90 care for me" Her heart failed at
the suggestion, for there had been in
timations on the part OF the young
preacher that Barbara could not help
interpreting to mean at least real in
terest in her and her career.
But no, 1t Il not possibe!" she said
positively as She walked on. His life
IL dependent on social conditions that
he must observe For him to ignore
them must mean social loss and pos
sibly social disgrace. The minister of
Marble Square church care for a hired
girl Make her his wife." Barbara
trembled al the thought Of the sacred
word which She hardly whispered 10
her heart. Even if she were as we'll
educated and well equipped for such
position "a any young woman in his
parish, still, nothing could remove the
fact of her actual service. And
service, Barbara bitterly said 10 her
self as she neared home. service is no
longer considered noble thing. 1t is
only beautiful young women like Miss
Dillingham;, who have nothing 10 do,
who have the highest place in society
y girl who is really doing something
withher hands TO make hom" "a sweet
er, more peaceful pot is not regarded
by the world as worth more han any
other cog in necessary machine. So
ciety caunotg give real service any place
in it's worship. II is only the leisure
Of idle wealth and fashion that wins
the love and homage OF the world.
and the church too Barbara CON
tiuucd I'm her mmnloguc, after she
had hidden her mother good night and
gone mp TO her room. The church,
100. Boo It's pride and Naiu2lory is ready
10 join the world in scon Of honest
labor OF ihe hands She recalled all
the real and iJucied Sights and re
buns She had endured I'm the church
and from church people since going
out to- service, and for "a few m uutcs
her heart was hard and bitter toward
all Christian people. But gradually,
as she grew quiet. her passion cooled,
and she said 90 herself i'm short
prayer: Lord. let me not offend by
judging too hastily; and if I am to lose
out of my life INK hearts desire for
love, do not let me grow morosc or
Gliding. Keep me sweet and mcom-
planning How else shall / help to
make a better world9' A few tears
fell as She prayed this prayer and
after a few minutes quiet she felt
more like her natural, eyen-tempered
self.
"If / am going to stay a servant"
she said, with some calling back Of
her former habit. 81 must learn what
God thinks Of service. | shall need
all / can get out Of His word to
strengthen me i'm DAYS to come" She
had made a collection Of her passages
relating to service. and tonight She
added TO it from one Of PauTs let
tiers. dwelling on the words as she
read them aloud: Servants, obey in
all things them that are your mas
tiers according TO the flesh not with
eye service, as men-pleasers, but in
singleness of heart, fearing the Lord
whatsoever We do, work heartily, as
unto the Lord, and not unto men;
knowing that from the Lord We shall
receive the recompense of the inner
Itance; We serve the Lord Christ. For
he that doeth wrong shall receive
again for the wrong that he hath
done; there is no respect of persons.
Masters. render unto your servants
that which is just and equal; know
Ing that We also have a Master in
Heaven"
"Of course" Barbara unused. after
saying the words, "all this was said
TO actual slaves, whose bodies were
bought and sold in the market like