Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-04-07

In the Cheerful Warmth of the Fire
1 Bega My Work.
Brett. 1t had happened that in the
early days of Amy's illness 1 had spo-
ken Of the strength of her spirit as be-
ing able to sustain her body in the
coming emergency. This had resulted
in a somewhat aimless discussion, dur
ing which the physician had presented
the stock arguments OF materialism.
1t was uncomfortable to me that I
should have been influenced by reason
ing not only baseless, but dismally IA
miliar. l could have said every word
that he uttered and could have given
him volume and page for his authority.
New views might have affected me,
surely not the old and the outworn.
We had required to the subject many
times, having been much together in
those days. and as l thought upon 1T
in the library that morning the convic-
ton was forced upon me that in some
mysterious way the man had under
mined my faith, The thought excited
resentment in me, and, though he was
not present. I sat there a long while
arguing with him, for | could state his
view at least as we'll as he could. I
think, indeed. that my triumph was
not quite so complete as it would have
been if he personally had supported his
side of the question 1t was a profit
less exercise. and | was none the bet
ter for it.
Amy continued to improve. We were
able to converse together, to renew
Il plans, to speak cautiously of the
peril that had passed. In those days
l had once more the view of her W
sweet, simple and perfect faith.
Though she had felt herself going
down into the valley of the shadow,
she had seen no final parting. She
could have said good night to me be-
fore the long darkness with as COM
plete a confidence as eve on an even
ing with the next sun six hours dis
tant.
The relapse occurred upon the 10Th,
We felt no great alarm at first. !
counted upon the strength which she
had shown upon the former occasion
and was far more hopeful, being able
to devote myself to the duties of my
calling with some approach to the at
tention which they deserved. spent
less time than formerly at her house,
knowing that she regretted my aban-
doning of my work, and it was be-
cause of a word from her that / gave
the afternoon of Tuesday following
the date mentioned above to the pre-
paration of my Easter ermon
l was aware of my unfitness for this
task. No man less than myself was
qualified to show the light to others,
for it had gone out in my hands so re-
Gently, leaving me in darkness. l
HOptu, uONSNci, U uCIfNt SDUlt ptI-
sonal benefit from the work. 1t was my
intention to meet more boldly in this
sermon the arguments which / had
learned o regard with a new abhor-
renee. That they are REPUTABLE is be-
yond a doubt.
/ spent an hour fr~uitlessly in my
study, and then upon a sudden inspir-
alton went up to the room which was
my mothers and which since her
death, has not been in use. | kindled
a cheerful onen fire and drew a table
near to~it.
| had not told any one where was
going, but the omission did not impress
me. | did not. dream that they could
fail to know that I was in the house
or could call my name without my
hearing.
In the cheerful warmth Of the fire l
began my work. ] set up first a logic
al scheme upon which the discourse
should be based, but it was no sooner
done than my mind wandered away
from it | found myself considering a