News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1901-05-29
His Brothers
Keeper
-
By REV. CHARLES NJ.
s H E L DO N
Concluded ]

dll THESE Inherent IlluSS VIII really
help the people. Now, here, for in
stance, is the space we have left for
the Salvation Army hall. l admit it
looks beautiful on paper, and it will no
doubt look fine when it is done in wood
and stone, but will the army feel at
home in it? Will they be able in there
TO reach the very people who now come
unto the old hall?"
"Why, you critical SOUL what do you
want us to do-make a specimen army
hall like the old shanty we have a.
READY and knock out dozen panes Of
glass and stuff miners hats and the
defunct remnants of old clothes into
the holes to make the place appear
hOmelike and attractiveY
'There's q good deal of sense in what
your wife says, just the same" said
Andrew. "If the Salvation Army gets
to be too refined, it won't be the Saliva
fion Army any more, and it won't do
the army's work"
"Christ wore good clothes, didn't
hep asked Eric bluntly.
Everybody was silent minute. They
all knew what he meant. And still, if
the army stood for a distinct way of
Reaching humanity, who could tell what
the result might be if that special way
was to be disturbed?
Don't worry about that" Stuart
finally said with much homely sense
in his thought of the future eff 60
ing into a decent, we'll lighted, warm
ed and seated room is going to destroy
the army's usefulness. We'll turn it out
into the old barracks again. Rhena
and have discussed that a good deal
ITS the only thing we ever disagreed
over and we don't really disagree
over that"
"These kindergarten rooms on this
side Of the building are going to be
Anodelsr' cried Andrew with enthu-
Siasm. He had suggested these rooms
and had superintendent the plans and
specifications.
That's the right ideaw cried Eric.
Sim like the doctor in thinking a good
many of the older folks among US are
fools or numskulls. But in the chill
drep lies the hope of the entire labor
question if they have the right start"
They were all bending over the table
now. discussing the numerous features
of the hall with it's almost bewildering
multitude of appliances. There were
10 be a model reading room and Ii
brary: several rooms for social gather
dngs and various amusements; bath
r30ms and gymnasium; a picture gal
Aery; a room fitted up expressly for the
use of a lantern and photography, and
other rooms where classes could be
gathered if the time ever came when
1T seemed wise to reach out with the
helping hand farther than they saw
the way clear yet.
There's one thing we haven't reck-
Oned upon much" said Eric almost
moodily at last. "What use can all
these people make of the various new
things that you are going to give them.
If, after all, they have TO spend the
bigger part Of their lives, in the day
time at least, underground? And who
rs going to say that all these fine things
thrust into the mems minds will not
produce a discomfort that will result in
time in greater misery than the condi-
tion they are now IMP
why, you old pessimist would you
say 10 the human race. Don't smell
that flower today, because you know
You may not have any tomorrow and
shat wifi make you discontinued? Be
cause a mans life is devoid of all pleas
ant things, shall we keep him in that
condition, for fear he may grow dis
Contented by knowing something bet
ter?"
That's rightw exclaimed Rhena, her
eyes flashing. Eric knows better than
TO talk that way Think what these
men have missed all their lives! Sure
Nv it will be very little for some OF
them to enjoy. the best we can do
And as TO the time they are under
ground, Stuart, put your brains tC
work to bring about a condition of la
lbor so that the men can have more
aeisure and see more of Gods eartl
when the sun shines on it,"
"Hear, hearW cried Andrew. "'BrinG
me- says Aladdin to the slave of the
Ramp, 80 golden dishes full of pearls
and as many more full of diamonds
what she asks is apparently impos
sible now" responded Stuart, 'bu
why should it always be so? Why
should so many thousands of human
beings dig in the ground, in the dark
In constant and deadly peril shut on
from most Of the pleasures Of the earth
i'm order that other men like me ma!
have a more comfortable timeW
Because they don't know how to d.
anything else and would not If the.
eould," said Eric bluntly.
"You don't know that, Eric. You onl
think so because they never have don
anything else"
''Well, some one must do mining
Humanity needs iron for its civiliza
sion, and how is it going to get 1t
SOME of us don't go down into th
earth aud dig it out? Shall we TAX
turns around? Suppose we try that
All 20 down this week, and next An
drew will take my place while preac
for him, and the next week Stuar
cam
Eyes, that would be q fine plan,
said Rhena. "NeXt you would be want