The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-08-14

increased But most OF the suffering
came from lack of clothing and fuel and
| food. The winter had continued with
| terrible severity. And still the union
| held out with remarkable stubbornness.
| although the week of stuart's GONZALES
cence there was a rumor that break
| would come very soon. The union had
reached it's limit OF ability TO help In
| financial way long before this.
Stuart came back 10 strength and new
vitality with all the force OF the old
problem intensified as he realized what
the three weeks had added to 1t. He was
| glorified with the love OF Rhena. now
| wholly his but he knew that for nothing
| did she love him more than for his de-
| sire TO try to solve the human problem,
| as II touched both their lives In Cham
| rion. With all the added warmth and
| enthusiasm OF her great hearted wisdom
| he now set himself TO the duty before
| him. 1t was not alone his desire that
Rhena should be one of the company
when Eric and Andrew came In TO talk
| over matters. The other men had learned
that womans wit very often supplies the
necessary factor In a solution OF practical
relief. and Rhena took her place with
them as Indispensable TO their councils
henceforth.
Something has got TO be done soon
for the people who lost everything I'm
the fire." said Andrew. The little group
OF four were in Erics room. Stuart on
the couch. Rhena sitting near the end OF
IL, Eric pacing the room. his dark eyes
restless and burning.
IT understand they have all been COM
fortably cared for. but don't see myself
what Champion people have been. able
10 do for them In the way of housing
them." said Stuart, looking at Andrew
upon whom a large share OF the work of
relief had fallen during Stuarts unoon-
scious condition.
Heaven knows how all of them have
been cared for. The Salvation Army
hall has been turned into barracks. and
Miss Rhena here knows how much the
army has done."a 44
1T has done very little In comparison
with what 1t would like to do" said
Rhena sadly.
do you know what 1t would like TO
dor asked Stuart, who was only just
beginning 10 comprehend how great and
pressing was the need since the fire and
three weeks more Of the strike.
I'm afraid it's not much use for me
to say" answered Rhena with added
sadness.
You forget answered Stuart what
Is all my money for? Why have you not
been spending 1t an this timer" he asked
almost fiexcely. turning to Eric. who still
paced his room and who had not yet
spoken.
i've spent plenty of other peoples
money In my mind" answered Eric as
bitterly as he ever spoke but never
spent II in reality, and when 1t comes
TO the suffering we face now / wouldn't
know where TO stop. What right have
people to go wasting Gods property
so wickedly while there is so much suf-
fering?"
He looked at Andrew as he spoke, and
Andrew, who seldom made a retort of
any kind. replied:
ASK tho devil He knows more about
Il than I do
And then there is the church." con-
tinued Eric, who was irritable and ner-
vous on this occasion. for his long watch
ing with Stuart had been great strain
on him. What is IL doing in compari-
son with what IL ought TO do? Stuart.
you asked me quite awhile ago why
joined the Salvation Army. III tell you
why. There was nowhere else l could go
for the religious expression of my life. st.
Johns church Is curious mixture OF
workingmen and tradesmen. and I'm not
saying anything of its aristocracy. for II
hasn't any, but II / do say IL. and I'm
sorry TO have to say IL, the whole object
OF the church before Andrew came here
to Il seemed to be 10 meet together for
meetings which gave occasion for good
deal Of feeling and emotion. but never
realized anything OF practical nature
In helping TO relieve the pressure OF the
physical needs OF men. The whole thing
evaporated in feeling and psalm singing
and prayers that really never got much
outside the walls OF the vestry
I'm not crying down the Christian
lives OF the church members. There are
hundreds OF them better than am, but
the expression OF their Christianity
through the structure OF the church
seemed to me almost nothing. One may
be Just as strong as another, but one or
haysa iS "A "a
a sharp ak TO cut down tree the
strength OF the two men Is not being
equally spent so far as getting results
goes. and the man with the sharp tool
will q othe best work, not because he
has more muscle, but better AK. IL
came upon me with the force OF a conver-
sion that never could do much through
the church as an instrument That's the
reason I went into the Salvation Army.
IL represented the sacrificial spirit of
Christianity 10 me q hundred times where
the church did not represent IL at all
Take the Church of ct. Peter here In
Champion. II is always spoken Of in the
papers as the most fashionable church In
town. Think OF that! So The News Cri-
er stated In giving the account of Its ann
ual meeting. What does those people
know OF sacrifice or, of the spirit OF Christ
who gave UP all his riches TO become poor
for the sake OF dying humanity I'm
sitting In judgment on them and
shall some time be called to account
for doing II. but II ] was Catholic
ia be willing to sit on the hottest fire
In purgatory TO shy what I think about
an 'aristocratic church And this one
here In Champion IL only one out of
thousands all over the country. What
Is the church. as an institution. doing
to obey the command OF Christ, To deny
itself. take up Its cross. forsake Its ease
and pleasure and follow him7'
Again Eric turned In his walk and con-
fronted Andrew. Stuart and Rhena
watched him almost sorrowfuly after lis
tending to Eric's outburst. over An
drew's Jolly. good natured face crept a
gray shadow OF seriousness that showed
how deeply Eric's sharp condemnation
had pierced.
Your question Is larger than any an
swer I can make without taking up hours
OF discussion" he said at last. speaking
calmly. but with evident self control over
a possible fury OF feeling. The church
today contains some of the noblest and
some of the meanest men and women