The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1902-01-31
CHAPTER III.
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 a 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.
1t 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.
But Barbara was a young woman
with 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-
gious 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 into the pulpit Barbara no.
ticed look of surprise on several
faces near her. She heard the lady in
the pew next to her say in a whisper
to another: where is DR.. Law to-
day."
"He is in Carlton. This must be Nor
ton, their new minister"
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
first hymn the impression of extreme
youthfulness disappeared. He had a
good voice and 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 as to lose certain neces-
sary sympathy with his hearers which
the use of the eye alone can secure.
Barbara was really interested in the
entire sermon, and as a whole it helped
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
q church service. The mann object of
going to church was to get help to be
a better Christian, she had often said
in little debates over such subjects
while in college. If the sermon was
Iearned and eloquent and interesting
as well as helpful. so much the better.
But. if it had every quality except
helpfulness, it missed the mark. To
be able to say after hearing a 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 or peace or JOY, or inspire to
greater love to God and neighbor, are
great sermons.
So Barbara was lifted up by the
message of the morning; and when
the service was closing, during the
hush that succeeded the benediction,
ss the congregation remained seated
for q moment, she uttered a prayer
of thanksgiving and q prayer of petit
ton for patience and wisdom in the
life she had chosen. much blessed and
comferted by the service of the morn
Ing.