The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-02-20
JONATHAN LONGS ORDEAL.
ny Myrta LociSett kvary.

r,pvright 1901, The Christian Herald,
New York.
Rev Jonathan Long was trying to
write his sermon. 1t was a hard task.
Ue laid his head on the table and moan
,J;
20, Lord, if it were a prayer instead of
a sermon, l could write fast enough
and yet would it be a prayer that
minister of Coda man of faith-should
write? Lord, 1 believe, help thou mine
unbelief"
Yes, it was hard. The wolf was at the
door. For the past week Beth's life had
hung in the balance, and the minister
was worn with much watching and nurs-
ing Even now, when the scale had turn
cd definitely-"prayer-tip tipped he said
in Beth's favor, incessant care and vigil
we're required to hold the advantage for
her. And the things she needed And
he had no money!
Water, papa"
Inc Rev. Jonathan had dropped asleep.
1t was an effort to wake, to pull him
self together. He was so weak ana so
tired!
Water, papa!'
Yes dear
In the coolest corner of the room was
dark-gray bundle. Rev. Jonathan Long
knelt over it, and from many unfoldings
of blanket and newspaper. withdrew a
Ston jar. This contained, embedded IN
ice a number of tiny, large mouthed jars
such as come from the apothecarys or
grOcer's, holding concentrated food for
inyalids. Mr.. Long removed one, re-
wrapped the big jar; and from the little
one filled a feeding-cup with cream,
which he held to his daughters lips,
coaxtng her to take the last drop.
The Rev. Jonathan was a graduate of
Yale. He was a graduate. too, in the
school of small economies. taking equal
honors with Mary, his wife. This re-
frigerator arrangement and division of
milk into minute quantities prevented
waste.
In the next room Mary was sleeping
poor Nary 1t was a tiny apartment,
doing duty as study in daytime and bed.
chamber at night. There the Rev. Jona-
than had kept his regular office hours
during the past week He always had
callers during office hours lie was not
an eloquent preacher but he was popu-
lar pastor. People came to him with their
troubles. Yes he had sat there listen
pray with her that her child might be
converted; to a man whose wife had
bad temper or whose business was going
10 ruin; or who wanted 20 conquer Il
thirst for strong drink; to a wife whose
husband neglected her; to a girl unhappy
at home; to a great, strong, slothful
fellow who couldn't get work; to a wo-
man who showed black bruises on her
face and who asked him to pray that
ha igI1f Ia oh 4
VINO had struck her-pray that God
would help her to be more patient and
long suffering. He<had talked with them
all, prayed with them, and tried to
establish their faith. On his knees he
would plead
90 Father, we know that thou lowest
and watchest over us and our dear ones
and art able to keep and save to the
Uttermost--"
And all the while ne would hardly
Know what he was saying, his unstrung
senses falsely informing him that he
teard Beth's wall for water to a tired
mother who, worn with much watching,
had fallen asleep. Then he would recover
Hlmself, and with passionate ferVor be-
Seech the Almighty to give these people
me thing they desired; with more pas
Slonate fervor still-almost with agony
mat he would give the best gift of all
oehef in his love and wisdom-whether
'her desire were granted or not
"Papaw
lie was asleep again, the sermon yet
onwritten. He got out another Jar of
,feam, gave 1t 20 the child, and read
dressed himself to his task.
ne Rev Jonathan, as a rule, prepared
lS sermons with great care. He would
sn1l out Interruptions, give himself up
10 MS subject, compare texts and author
I.IeS' and, keeping the color of his own
So'ro"s, struggles and trials out of It,
Instruct for his people a carefully
lnohght-out discourse-a good academic
elnon that would not cause any poor,
1ouoting soul to tremble in these times
asnostic questionings and unbelief
l' dld not have large congregations,
"1 ne could not understand why, when
e lried so hard and gave such good
sound doctrine.
John, dear" his wife's gentle hand
on his head. Il hate to wake YOU. but
nearly time for church. Here's your
oNidst' 1t was only coffee and rolls
"'tlef' 4 wish / had an egg for you
ne looked at her with wistful yearn-
ana with something of the old lover
n 81 mat she always saw In his eyes
\ was very young; she had been little
man a child when they had mar.
iad she realized the cross she was
''lihg in sharing his lot? When later
f. was offered a choice between a com.
II gg country parish and this strug.
N LIE 'lly mission and had accepted the
N Ns' FEELING that he followed his
N guidance in working among tho
NJ ana the outcast. she had sustained
n wy 'cision But again, had she realized
N 10, would bring upon her?
II N''S'' he said. with sudden heat
n to, not going to let you struggle q,
\ f., nave I'm not going to let Beth suf
n n.d '' hecessaries I'm a man, able &c
II r living for my family I'm go
1 an" Pu't the ministry, I'm "a failure
4 w. John. darling. hushl you're tired
Il D,, wrought. Finish your breakfast
% 'ies dear! 80 you can burr,
'ne mission
TI..'t' no sermon ready" he said
. SNOW what 10 say to my people.
Sac .'il them the truth. then John
u- '.ns been sick and Gods makni
Win ana how good God n. 60,