The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1901-10-25
CHAPTER VIII-Continued

hiSI VI All 10 Jne service OF n mousse
servant; yet Barbara felt quite sure,
as she read, that, if Paul had been
questioned about it, he would have
said that the teaching applied just as
well to house-ministration as to min
istration anywhere else. This is the
passage which she read: "Giving no
occasion of stumbling in anything,
that our ministration be not blamed;
but in everything commencing our
selves, as ministers of God, in much
patience, in Affections, in necessities,
in distresses, in strifes, in imprison-
ments, in tumults, in labors, in
watchings, in HASTINGS; in pureness,
IN knowledge, in long-suffering, in
kindness, in the Holy Ghost, in love
unfeigned, in the word of truth, in
the power of God; by the armor of
righteousness on the right hand and
on the left, by glory and dishonor, by
evil report and good report; as de-
ceivers, and yet true; as unknown,
and yet well known; as dying, and
behold we live; as chastened, and not
killed; as sorrowful, yet always re-
joicing; as poor, yet making many
rich; as having nothing, and yet pos
sessing all things"
''Have / been minister of God?
shed tears over little things as I
have tried to minister to the needs
of this house,! Surely at its very
worst I have not endured the hard
ships that Paul speaks of. I know
he is speaking of preachers, probably,
of missionaries of the cross. But
am sure he means that anyone who
ministers to the real needs of life
is minister of Cod And, if L have
really been a minister of God, how
little I have realized its meaning!"
Help me, my Father" Barbara
breathed her prayer, ''help me in the
thankfulness for the great joy of my
life to live as a servant of Thine.
Through all these possible hardships
may l learn to keep close to Thee.
Help me to bless other lives and give
them encouragement and true
thought of ministry. 1t is all so
wonderful, my Father! Thou hast
led me in ways so unforeseen by my
poor selfishness. 1t is all too won
derful to me. Oh Thou Great but low
ing God, 1 thank Thee. In the name
of Him who has redeemed me.
Amen"
1t was the next day that Barbara
had call from Mrs. Vane.
The old lady had met Mr.. Morton;
and, reading his happiness in his
whole person, she asked him bluntly
to tell her all about it.
'My DEAR" she cried as she kissed
Barbara on both cheeks and shed a
tear out of her sharp eyes, softened
by her love for Barbara, II congratu-
late you both! 1t is wonderful; but
knew all the time that he loved you
and would have you and 1 knew that
you would give ySurself to him. 1t
is all as il should be. The Marble
Square church is a great institution,
but it is not so great as love. 1 want
you to be married at my house. Nor
ton is one of my boys. 1 knew him
as child, and / love him as a son."
81 don't think mother would allow
me to go away from her, even to
you," Barbara answered, smiling and
blushing until she looked like pic
ture, Mrs. Vane and Mrs. Ward both
thought as they stood looking at her.
eve have arranged to be married at
mothers"
That's best; yes, that's best!"
The old lady nodded approvingly.
mo church display, no show, no
cheap or vulgar Haunting of self on
the occasion of the most sacred ex-
perience in girls life. / always said
Ralph Morton deserved the best
woman on earth for a wife and he's
getting her. The good God bless you
both!" And the impulsive old lady
kissed Barbara again; and, when Bar
bara went back to her work she re-
manned some time with Mrs. Ward,
talking over the great event; for it
was truly great to Barbara and Nor
ten and his friends, and indeed to all
Marble Square parish.
For, when the news of the minis
ter's engagement became known in
Crawford, as it did in a very short
time, because he made no secret of it,
there was CONSERVATION in Marble
Square church and in society gener-
ally.
as it true?" Mrs. Rice solemnly
asked Mrs. Wilson the first time they
met after the news became known,
sis it really true that Mr.. Morton is
going to marry, Mrs. Wards hired
girl? 1t is simply awful. 1t cannot
be-"
"I'm afraid it is" Mrs. Wilson an
swered, clasping her hands with
tragic gesture as if some terrible ca
lamity had taken place. 81 had the
information direct from Mrs. Vane,
who had it direct from Mr.. Morton
himself"
"It will break up Marble Square
church, that is all" Mrs. Rice said,
decidedly. "A thing like that is too
serious a social departure for even
Mr.. Morton TO make. AS muchs as
people like and admire him, not even
his great talents can excuse such
great social blunder."
"They say" Mrs. Wilson suggested
in hesitating manner, "that the girl
is really we'll educated, and not just
an ordinary hired girl You know
Mrs. Ward has told US something