The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1901-03-14
his own Christian experience, note, /,

day old.
"Yes, am! What am I? A heatepY,
Louise stamped her foot, as she aways
did when angry. Stuart saw tht her
thought Of the word was not hi. He
remained silent, and Louise turned
about on the piano stool and stuck
few chords fitfully. Then she wheeled
back and said bluntly: what a,e You
going to do? Join the Salvation Ar.
my"
Stuart shrunk back as II from blow,
1t was all so contrary to his experience
that he was entirely unable to shape
his speech as usual. He was silent up.
til Louise repeated her question.
81 shall join the st. Johns church.
And may join the army too. I'm.
derstand people can do that without
belonging to the ranks in one way"
Louise rose to her feet with a look Of
scorn that Stuart could not endure.
well, father ought to be here to ste
all this! He would want to know if
this is Stuart Duncan, his son."
at Is true he would not see the old
Stuart Duncan" replied Stuart with
a noble dignity that even Louise could
not help noticing, but he would find
better one, hope. Louise, dear, | wish
you could understand just what I've
felt. 1t Is impossible for me to look on
very many things as | did once.
want to say this to you now, so that
you will not be surprised at certain
events which may take place in the
| future"
ITO what do you refer? To your
joining the army? l suppose the lead.
er is an attraction just now. hear
Miss Dwight has been sent up to take
charge"
1t was as cruel and harmful fling
as Louise could be guilty of. But she
was stung into bitterness by many
events Of the past few days. and her
selfish. narrow nature had more than
once delighted to make Stuart suffer.
Stuart was pale to his lips. His
Christian experience. his conversion
as he could call it, was not more sa-
cred to his thoughts than the memory
Of the army leader and the thought of
her sacrifice and surrender of all that
most young women count dear.
Louise" he cried, and If he had not
been in the grasp of better strength
here he would have been swept into
one Of his old time bursts Of passion.
Louise, YOU do not know what you
wound. You must not harm my con.
ception of Christ or cast any dishonor
on his work in my forgiven soul. You
have no right"
He spoke on sternly and yet with so
much evident right defense Of his in
ner motives that Louise was frighten-
ed. She might perhaps have asked
Stuart's pardon, but he. fearing to
prolong the conversation. went out Of
the room and in to see Eric. Louise,
after standing idly by the piano few
minutes, ut last went up stairs to her
own room.
Stuart sat down by Eric and asked
the nurse to leave them alone little
while. He was suffering from his in.
terview with Louise, but he wanted to
tell Eric his experience. 1t seemed to
him necessary before Ire went on with
his life another day.
In n few sentences he told Eric his
experience Of the morning. Eric lis
tened In wonder. He was very weak.
He grasped Stuart's hand and pressed
it fcebly when he paused in his nara
tive.
II never had any such leading as
our men call 1t. l joined the army be.
cause believed 1t was the only kind
Of Christianity that can really help
things much"
But how is 1t. Eric? Do you feel
n personal relationship to Christ as a
SaviourW
"Yes. think l do. But it is not so
plain to me as would like"
That is the most astonishing thing
to me-" replied Stuart thoughtfully.
"You know l never had any idea of
ever talking about salvation or q
Saviour. You don't remember. do you,
that we ever talked on this subject be-
foreW
Eric shook his head.
"And yet, nOw," continued Stuart
reverently, II seem to feel as I never
felt or expected to feel less than day
ago. can't explain 1t, Eric. but Christ
seems the most real of all realities in
my life. can put 1t In this way:
Henceforth do not feel able or willing
to do anything without first asking,
Would Christ approve this? Would
he say, DO itY"
Does that apply to your use Of prop
erty and money and the present mine
troubles?" asked Eric bluntly.
"Yes." The answer came with q
positive conviction that thrilled the
pale face on the pillow. "Yes; my
whole life is changed. All my relations
to my fellow men. all my possessions
and their use. all that belongs to my
powers of any kind, seem under tho
law Of this new indwelling. Eric. do
you believe In the fact Of God actually
dwelling in manY
Eric did not reply at once. There
was 4 thoughtful silence