Waterbury Democrat., 1901-02-23
Christian Stewardship.
BY CHARLES M. SHELDON,

.N 1 Christian Stewardship ! BY CHARLES M. SHELDON,
 . Author of Tn His Stops" The Oruci-
 hxGn HnrSra Gr Fhahp SeYen sf5o2s bops noi o1eF
 com Kirk" Etc. 2
 COPYRIGHT, 1896, BY cosaREsATIoEAI .- AND SUNDAY SCHOOL PUBLBHISa SOCIETY. [ SO-:-.eei10e:-ssooss-00-t:o9s-so0 It was at the close of the collection that Hhena spoke. As long as he lived Stuart will never forget the feelin. with which he listened nor the i'm. pression made upon the rough, uncul- tured audience. Where had this young woman, reared in the hothouse atmos- phere of society, trained to it's artificial politeness and refinement, caught the spirit which knows how to speak to the people of the street and the mine and the coarse toll of humble homes? Certain it was she had caught it, and the old storage room, with its audience of stolid, hardened, rough men and women, was the scene of strange victory of spirit over spirit. TShena's NClCe " Us sl NOIloC11 LII llCip. Al HeiS very clear and strong for such little body. It penetrated into the souls of | the people But it was what she said that held them bound like captives to her will. She spoke simply, lovingly, with true enthusiasm, of the great love of God in sending his Son into the world. It was not preaching; It was q message of one saved soul to others who were still in peril. She spoke only a few minutes, and as she closed she asked those who were under conviction to come forward and kneel by the platform.
 At once an old man stumbled out h. to the aisle. He was partly under the influence of liquor, and if 1t had not been for the friendly pushes of the peo- pie on either side of the aisle as he tumbled up first against one, then against another, it is doubtful if he would have succeeded in getting as far as the platform. He did reach it, how ever, and knealed down after fashsG 2, resting his head and arms on the Ef : form at Rhena's feet. Instantly, i@ < ice that thrilled every ear ill ns.;A raau, Rhena started the song: | - Return, o warderer, return.
 | , And seek ycur Fathers face! Those kew desires that iIi you burn | Were kinded by his grace. '. Eaturn, wanderer, return! IE ;. He hears your humble sigh. :. He gees your softened spirit nour1 x When no one else is nigh. Return, o wanderer, return! h. 1 Your Saviour bids you live; | Come to his cross, and you will learn :: How freely he'll forgive
 1 Each time the army came in with the chorus:
 l Oh, you must be lover of the Lord Or you can't go to heaven when you die!
 The contrast between the absolutely cultivated tone of the song in the verses aed the noisy, drum accompa- nied rattle of the chorus was startling to Stuart. He winced at it every time. 1 Rhena did not seem in the least dis 1 turLed. She smiled at the enthusiastic swing of the arm that beat the big drum and nodded her head in time to the rush of the chorus as it was also caught up by the audience.
 ! Several persons went forward and knelt during this song. At its conclu- sion the major. who seemed in com mand this evening, called for testimo- nies. They came, brief and simple, from nearly every member of the army on the platform and were listened to in perfect silence, which was sometimes followed by clapping of hands in the audience or by the rest of the army. The testimonies generally consisted of a brief statement, something like this: Two months ago 1 found Jesus right here in this room, praise be his name! He is very precious to my soul.'
 The Lord spoke to me from the cross just three weeks ago tonight, and I gave him my heart. Halleluiah!'
 II was a drunken, worthless sinner a year ago. Now I am redeemed, washed in the blood of the Lamb, and I am not ashamed to tesify of his sal vation."
 Before I was converted and joined the army I was known as 'Scaly Joe. the whisky soak Now I'm a new man; haven't had nip for more'n a month, and my name is Joseph now, and don't you forget it! Amen" One of the late converts among the
 women came forward, and in trem- bling voice, with tears running down her cheeks, she said, while the laughter raised by "Scaly Joe's" testimony sud denly ceased:
 q was an outcast on Gods earth
 only q short time ago. The army found
 me and told me of the love of Jesus.
 I'm redeemed and my sins all washed
 away in the precious blood. Glory be
 to his name.'
 Now to Stuart, as he sat there lis
 tening to all this, a great torrent of
 feeling came It rose in him like a
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