The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-01-09
CHAPTER XVII

Dear Sir and Brother-The seminary az
Fairview has long been contemplating
the addition TO its professorship OF chalr
OF sociology. The lack OF FUNDS and the
absolute necessity OF sufficient endoW-
ment for such a chair have made 4 I'm
possible hitherto for the trustees to make
any definite move I'm this direction a re-
cent legacy, OF which you have doubtless
heard, had made the founding OF this
new professorshlp possible. Ana now the
trustees by unanimous vote have united
upon you as the man best fitted to MI
the char OF sociology We have heard
of your work I'm Milton and know of 10
personally We are assured YOU are the
man for this place. We therefore tender
you most heartily the position or
professor OF sociology at Fa.rvlew
seminary at salary Of 1880
year and preliminary years abb
sence either abroad or I'm this country,
before you begin actual labors with the
seminary.
With this formal call on the part OF the
trustees goes the most earnest desire on
the part Of all the professors Of the SEM
mary who remember your marked un-
dergraduate success as student here
You will meet with the most loving wei
come. and the seminary VII be greatly
strengthened by your presence in this
new department. We are in behalf OF the
seminary, very cordially yours
THE TRUSTEES.
Here followed their names, familiar
20 both Philip and his wife.
There was a moment OF astonished 81
lence. and then Sarah said
"Wcll, Philip. that's what ] call the
finger OF Providence"
do you call IL the finger OF Providence
because II points the way YOU want To
Ro?" asked Philip with a smile. But his
face instantly grew sober. lie was EVIL
IDENTIFY very much excited by the call TO
Fairview. II had come at a time when
he was in a condition to be very much
moved by IT,
Yes. Philip" replied his wife as she
smeethed- back -Ais-AaiE -fraEa-AIS- fare
head 1T Is very plain to me that you
have done all that any one can do here In
Milton. and this call comes just In time.
You are worn out The church is opposed
TO your methods. You need rest and
change and, besides. this is the very
work that YOU have always had liking
for"
Philip said nothing for moment Ills
mind was I'm whirl OF emotion. Finally
he said yes. | would enjoy such "A
professorship II IL very tempting call.
/ fell drawn toward H. And yet''-he hesi-
tated'I don't know that ought to leave
Milton just now"
Mrs Strong provoked Philip
long enough All your efforts In CAL
vary church are wasted What good ha :
all your sermons done? IL Is all vain
sacrifice. and the end will be defeat and
misery for you. Add to all this the fact
that this work win call for the best
and most Christian labor and that some
good Christian man Will take II II you
don't-and I don't see. Philip, how you
can possibly think of such a thing as re-
fusing this opportunity"
1t certainly is splendid opportunl-
ty." murmured Philip. 81 wonder why
they happened TO pitch on me for the
place."
That's easy enough Every one
knows that you could fin that chair bet
ter than almost any other man - the
country"
do you mean by every one little
woman OF the name OF SARAH" asked
Philip. with brief return OF his teas
ing habit.
"No. sir mean all the professors and
people In Fairview and ali the thinking
people or Milton and every one who
that whatever else you lack 1t isn't
I'D like 10 borrow few Just now,
though. for ] seem to have lost most OF
until settle this question OF the =; caii?
"No, sir; II you can't settle a plain
dition OF the little have.
Then you really think do you Sarah.
that ] ought To accept this as the leading
hesitation"
Mrs Strong replied with almost tear
ful earnestness:
Ing OF his hand. Surely you have shown
your willingness and YOUR courage and
your sacrifice by your work here But
your methods are distasteful. and your
preaching
rdsm. oh. ! dread the thought OF this
lffe for YOU another day. IL looks 10 me
Ike suicidal policy. with nothing 20
show for II when YOU have gone through
with &C."
Philip spread the letter out on the
couch. and his face grew more and more
thoughtful and he gazed into the face oi
his wife. and his mind went over the
ground Of his church experience. lf only
he was perhaps thinking-if only God
had not given him 81 sensitive and fine
tempered n spirit Of conscicntiousness
lie almost envied men ~ coarse. blunt
feelings OF common ideals Of duty and
His wife watched him asxIously. she
knew " was a crisis with him. At last
We'll sarah don't know hut you're
right The spirit Is willing. but tho
flesh Il weak. The professorship wollc
he free from the incessani worry and
anxietv of a parish ana then ] might
be inst az useful ln the seminary as am
here-who knows7"
rah. joyfIlly - The same time she wa
almost crying sha picked np the lctiei
and called Philln's attention 10 IN,
clause which granted him wear ahroat
~ case he accented. Think or that
Philip Your drea-, 81 foreign trave
can come true ~ow'"
That is'--phili~ looked out ~ M
window ove- the dingy roof % ehec
nearby 10 the rioornv tenemer's-"tha'
r. supDosing ] decide 10 accent.
"cursori-o' nit vou afrf--f fhe -Tre
sald-Oh. phrip 80" you WIN ne rea.
se-ehle, This Is the oppor' unity OF q
fffNsipe'"
'Thats irue" re'iied Pfii1
"You nav not have anoth sr srrh
chance as this as innF ~ Won live You
ere yoUng now and vi'h pverv prospect
of success IN work ~ fhie k'rl - r. rew
work. ~ the kind YOU like You will
have ielsnre end means 10 earrv on Inn
porfant experiments mi influence for
life you're men enter ng the ministry.
Surely. PhillD. there IL az great oDportu-
nifty for usefniness and sacrifice there as
anvhere u must bc that the will 81 God
4 u this " r0nios without any seeking