Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-07-31
went up the steps.

was very noisy, laughing and talking
very loud, and the president was stand
Ing very close to Edward as he said q
few simple words of greeting.
you're going home this summer. I
understand, Blakew
Eyes, sir. I've sold my route and ex.
pect to buy another one in the fall.
Mother needs me on the farm this sum-
mer."
he moved away as another group
was coming up, and the president lean
ed his tall form over and said in a low
tone that only Edward could hear:
my boy, l have been praying for
you all this year that you might be
Christ's man. l want to see you start
right next fall. Better begin tonight.
Goodby, and God bless you"
Edward moved on and spent the rest
OF the evening with the other students.
About 10 o'clock he went out with
Freeda, and as it had cleared up they
strolled around the familiar walk past
the library and out upon the middle
campus. Freeda had refused several
other invitations from the students to
go with group down on the hill walk.
She preferred being with Edward on
this last day Of the term.
They walked quite long way with
out speaking, and then Freeda began
to talk about their three years in col
lege. Edward was more silent than
usual at first, but afterward became
quite laxative. he grew confidential
and told Freeda something about his
feelings for Miss Seton. Freeda could
not give him much consolation, al.
though she said she thought Ida admir-.
ed Edward greatly.
what was the president saying to
your? Freeda asked as they finally
turned back to the library walk and
went on toward the ladies' hall.
He asked me about my summer
plans. You know I've sold the route
to Rawlins in order to get Barnes
route. It's nearer college and prac-
tically as good as the avenue route"
Il mean what ~ was saying to you
as he leaned over and spoke to you all
alone? was just coming up and had
to wait minute"
He spoke to me about being Chris
tian. That's the third person who has
spoken to me about that today"
Freeda was silent a moment, and
then she said quietly: LET me be the
fourth person, Ned. Why aren't you a
Christian? I've had a good many anx-
ious thoughts about you this year.
Mother would be SO glad too. Some
times l think it's the only thing you
need to make you perfect"
"'One thing thou lackest,' eh?" said
Edward, with unaccustomed levity,
and then he lapsed into silence, which
was unbroken until they reached the
ladies' hall.
AS he said good night to Freeda he
added, Il don't want to disappoint you
and mother, Freeda."
II hope you won't, Ned" she replied
gently as she went up the steps.
He walked slowly back to his room
and went in and for few minutes sat
down by his window in darkness,
thinking over the events Of the day.
Then he got up and lighted his lamp.
AS he turned from the table he hap
pened to think of his letter box that he
had not looked into since noon.
He went over to the door and found
one letter there. He was glad it was
from his mother. He sat down at the
table at once and opened the letter.
His mother did not write to him very
often. She was not college bred wo-
man and had lived life of hard phys.
ical labor, but there was no one in all
the world who had more influence
over Edward, and he always read her
letters with reverence and respect
that he never felt for any other person.
The letter contained a short account
Of affairs on the farm, then went on to
speak of Edwards uncle and aunt and
finally referred to Edwards and FREQ
da's college course:
It has been = Joy to me. Edward, to think o.
you and Freeda receiving an education. In yen
last letter you spoke Of feeling Of regret youl
part that was shaving 30 hard on the farm, while
you and your sister were having such IN easy
| time in college, but you ought to know. dear son.
dde of the love l have for you You may be
wondering why I am writing this letter now, &c
near your home coming and at time while you
must be 70 busy, at commencement time, but
two nights ago as lay awake, toward morning
had an experience that prompted this letter.
| seemed to hear a voice say to me: "YoSr sor
Edward is q good boy. truthful, honest. unselfst
in most things, tree from coarse vices. but he II
not a professed disciple Of Christ and has neve,
q Qfo6 ~ fhn nj
One thing he lacks, and that is the greatest Of
al. He needs to repent and believe In order tt
be saved"
You know l am not imaginative in the least
and I simply believe that what heard was thl
Spirit speaking to me In your behalf. And could
not resist the feeling that ought to write you
and urge you to give yourself to Christ. WIZ
should you stand outside the kingdom, my son.
looking on At the struggle Of the ages and posi-
bly, criticising it because you feel as good an,
one2 Give your heart to him who gave US all
Enter the kingdom like a little child. Edward
You have 4 great work to do in Gods world, Il
he shall spare you. You wrote in your last lettel
| that you might decide to give up being 4 doctor
and become q public speaker and write for 4 iv
ing. It makes little difference to me what par
ticular thing you do in the world, but it maker
| al the difference in the world whether you
Christian or not. That is the main thing afte1
~. 0eeA Auot TIC AAn8uonus my son. you sue
| coed in all worldly affairs and know all knowl
edge and do not know and love God supremely, II
will not profit you anything.
You do not doubt my 1--we for you, do you
Why should you doubt Tho love Of God for you
He gave his own Son for your salvation. WIZ
should you be careless in the face Of that grea,
atonement1 He died for you, Ned, the sa1ne 4!
for me. oh, my dear son, your mother il grow
ing older and more feeble every year! I shall
soon pass over to the other SIDE But It Will bt
the best day Of my whole life when you tell mt
that you have decided to give your heart to Coo
| and believe in his redemption through Christ
Nay the Holy Spirit as he pleads with you b.
allowed to enter your heart and will and lead 70,
by his almighty power to the feet Of Jesus. You
loving Ho1Hu.
na-..a a~s.,.>a A. 49,. - .,