Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1902-12-13

anxis wasE ioF as bsliIsVsdl
that 5if the doctor fears were realized
she would become insane. It was not
possible that q person Of her tempera.
ment and passion could be otherwise in
case she should come to Consciousness
of her condition. j.
AS the evening wore on Mr.. Hardy
felt that his duty lay in his own home
for that night. and he would have to
see his minister some other time. He
thought of the prayer meeting with
regret and sat by the bed of the un-
conscious girl wondering how it was
possible that for all these years gone
by he had been so Indifferent to one Of
the best and most precious opportu-
mites for growing in spiritual man.
hood. He heard the bell ring for serv.
ice, and when it stopped he sat with
his face in his hands praying.
The prayer meeting in Mr. Jones'
church was generally very quiet af
fair. A good many people in the church,
especially those who came to the meet.
ing only occasionally, thought it was
stupid. But it was a noticeable fact
that those who attended regularly
were the ones who did the most work
In the church and the ones who grew
stronger and sweeter in the Christian
life. There was usually no regular SUBJ
ject given out There was very little
talking done. From beginning to close
It was nearly all prayer. Mr. Jones
did not feel afraid Of the long pauses.
He believed modern American life to
be so full Of nervousness and hurry
that 1t would not hurt any one to sit
still and think minute or'two.
That was the reason so many people
called Mr.. Jones' prayer meetings dull,
because they were not rushing all the
time with sensational or exciting re-
marks and incidents. Mr.. Jones didn't
believe that was what prayer meet
ing was for, and he planned for it &C.
cordingly. But this particular evening
was an exception. The great railroad
accident so near them had stirred the
entire community to it's sympathetic
depths. Several families in Mr.. Jones'
church had been sufferers. AS if by
tacit consent there was an unusually
large gathering at the church. and the
subject was Of necessity the recent
disaster.
1t was spontaneous meeting. The
minister briefly opened with the ex-
pressed desire that God would bless
the suffering, prepare the dying and
comfort the living. and almost instant
~ service of prayer began. which
wasssliSe a food in its continuous out
pouring. The people seemed urged by
some irresistible feeling to relieve the
pent up strain Of the day in prayer,
and such prayers had not been heard
in that church for many years.
A similar scene was witnessed near
the White River Junction railroad dis
aster in 1887 In church near the acct
dent. The entire morning service was
given up to prayer, which seemed the
only healthy relief to people suffering
from an overwhelming horror.
1t was during the first pause that &C.
CURED that James Caxton opened the
door and gave note to some one in the
back seat with request that It be sent
up to Mr.. Jones. He then turned as if
/ to 60 out, but hesitated, came back and
slipped into a vacant seat and waited
Mr.. Jones received the note, glanced at
its contents and then rose. There was
a singular emotion in his voice as he
spoke.
II have just been handed a note from
one Of our members, Mr.. Robert Har-
dy, with the request that l read it
aloud to the church tonight:
To You, My Dear Pastor, and You, Ny Brother.
and Sisters In Christ:
suppose it is known to most Of you that three
Of my children were on the train during the re.
ssat accident, and two OF them escaped with but
flight injuries. But my daughter Clara was Sc.
, riously injured by the shock, and l am at this
moment seated by her side praying that her
reason may be spared and her possible injuries
prove to be within the region of cure.
! ! had planned to be with you tonight.
wanted to tell the church of the change that
have lately experienced. l do not need to tell
| you that for the Is years that have been q
member Of the church have been a member only
| In name l have seldom appeared in any Of the
| spiritual devotional services Of the church.
have often sat in an attitude of criticism to the
best preaching. I have been hard man with
I! those in my employ. l have been cold and even
revengeful toward other members Of this church.
| have been . very proud, Christian, selfish
! man.
| In the sight Of God I have been an altogether
unworthy member Of the church Of Christ. do moi
! take any pride to myself in making this COMES
mon, but feel that it is due to you, and some.
thing tells me shall have more peace OF mind il
I speak to you as have lately prayed to God.
| 1t is not necessary, neither have ! time mol
| strength, to tell you how have been brought to
| see my selfshness in all it's enormity. 1t i.
enough if say to you that I most sincerely be-
| neve that have misunderstood very largely the
| right meaning Of human existence. want to
pray with you and for you. You will let me say
| this also, bearing with me, this may be my
| last opportunity to say to you what lies in my
| heart: Serve the church Of Christ, all you who
have taken upon you its VOWS, with enthusiasm
| and loyalty. Stand by the superintendent Of the
| Sunday school. attend this week night service
| when you can. making 1t the most important serv.
| ice Of the week, and, more than all, live true,
| uSn