Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1902-01-31
BORN TO SERVE
By Charles NJ. Sheldon,
1'HV QUESTION Glass; ..EbWARD A'' =
BLAKE, - Etc.
CHAPTER III.
Copyright, 1900. by Charles 4. sheldon.)

SERVICE is ROYAL.
The Ward pew in the Marble Square
church was about half way down the
aisle and in the body of the house. AS
Barbara walked down the aisle she was
conscious OF feeling of excitement
hardly warranted by the event. AS
she passed into the pew first, leading
Carl after her, as the arrangement of
seating had been planned by Mrs.
Ward, she noticed Mrs. Wards face.
It was very grave, and there was again
present in it that uncertain element
which had set Barbara to guessing
once or twice how far her mistress
would venture to cooperate with her
in the matter of solving the questions
belonging to housekeeping.
Eut Barbara was young woman
with a good reserve of common sense,
and she at once dismissed all foolish
speculations and resolutely gave her
thoughts to the service of the hour.
She was naturally and healthily reli-
Pious and was prepared to enter into
the worship with no other thought ex-
cept her need of communion and devo-
ton and reception of truth.
When the minister came out of his
study room in to the pulpit Barbara no
tced look of surprise on several
faces near her. She heard the lady in
the pew next to her say in whisper
to another: where is DIR. Law to-
day."
HE is in Carlton. This must be Nor
ton. their new minister"
F'He looks very young. Do you sup
pose he can preach any?"
Barbara did not hear the answer, but
she had not been able to avoid making
a comment to herself on the youthful
appearance of the minister. But when
he began the service by giving out the
Gfrst hymn the impression of extreme
youthfulness disappeared. He had a
good voice and a quiet, modest, rever-
ent manner that Barbara liked. His
: prayer helped her. And when he began
to preach there was. a simplicity and
earnestness about his delivery that
was very attractive. He did not try
to say too much. The sermon was
written, but the reader had evidently
tried to avoid being so closely confined
to the pages a to lose a certain neces-
sary sympathy with his hearers which
the use of the eye alone can secure.
Barbara was really interested in the
her. Her happily trained religious ma
ture had taught her to look with hor-
ror upon the common habit of criti-
cism and comparison when attending
a church service The main object OF
going to church was to get help to be
better Christian, she had often said
in little debates over such subjects
while in college. If the sermon was
4
as well as helpful, so much the better
But, if it had every quality except
helpfulness, it missed the mark. TIC
be able tosay after hearing sermon:
THAT has helped me to be better per
son this week" is really the same thing
as declaring that the sermon was
good sermon. Anything that helps life
is great. All sermons that give cour
age OF peace or joy. or inspire te
greater love to God and neiglSoor, arr
great sermons.
:. So Barbara was lifted up by the
message of the morning; and whe1
the service was closing, during the
hush that succeeded the benediction
as the congregation remained seated
for a moment, she uttered a prayer
of Thanksgiving and a prayer Of petit
ton for patience and wisdom in th'
life she had chosen, much blessed ant
comforted by the service of the morn
ing.
:, AS Barbara came out into the aisl,
again, Mrs. Ward was standing neal
the end of the pew opposite. Sh,
becl<oned to Barbara.
st want to introduce Miss Clark t,
you, Mrs. Vane."
An elderly woman with very kee1
blue eyes, and the sharpest look on
of them that Barbara had even seen
spoke to her. abruptly but kindly a
she came up, Carl still clinging to her
Very glad to see you, Miss Clark
You. must come in and see US som
afternoon or evening. o. 1 know VIII
you are, just servant; and we ar
rich, aristocratic folks and all that
MN. grandfather was a blacksmith il
Connectict1t. His ances tors wer
from Vanes of Arlie in Scotland
Good. honest, working people as ia
as L can ascertain. I want you t
meet Miss sRarnes. who is helping u
rat present