The San Francisco call., 1903-12-20

But there was no Christmas JOY In
Padre Antonio's heart. His superior's
letter lay before him and II offered no
release-no return to the world OF place
and power.
THAT you have my sympathy. be-
lieve me, my dear son." the latter ran,
but 1 know that In refusing you your
request I am granting you your desire.
You tell me that you have won no souls
to your church. Have you won them
to yourself? Have you thought OF the
limitations Of the people you are work
ing for? Have you thought Of their
lives and opportunities? Win them to
you through love. Then win them to
the church through the same love. For
love Is supreme. Love Is all powerful.
Love reigns over all human life and
passion" There were pages OF close.
fine wrfting-pages that seemed to An
tonic like senseless platitudes. and ths
letter ended with the words: Il am not
writing to you as your superior. I have
not placed your application with the
church authorities. I am writing TO
you as II you were my own son. to
shield you from lifetime Of regret for
a duty shirked.'
The letter lay on the padres knees
as he sat In the door OF his hut looking
down toward the new mission building.
It was nearly finished; already it's soft,
creamy walls rose high and straight;
already the arches were supporting
patches OF thatched roof. Here and
there on the ground squatted groups OF
brown figures. all looking more or less
indolently at the result Of their labors.
But Of what use was any OF II? What
did any OF them gain from It? What
did It mean to any OF them except easy
-four, easy warmth. easy existence?
AS these bitter thoughts were passing
through the padres mind he saw that
the groups OF figures were rising to
their feet-that they were gathering to-
gether In one mass, that they were
coming toward him. He glanced at the
shadows 10 see II Il was already time
for the morning service. but It was not.
and a faint wonder crossed his mind
Had they some request to make OF
him? Extra fruit, extra -four. extra
wine?
Pedro led them. but he ala not speak
until all were gathered about the pa
DIRE. Then. acting as interpreter and
spokesman for the others. he ex-
planned.
The padre had told them that in
some places. on Christmas day. friends
gave presents to each other; the padre
had told them that when the Christ
child was born all brought presents TO
him. Now. that the new chapel was
so nearly finished. was 1t not right that
they should bring gifts to the chapel?
But because they loved the padre they
wanted first to give gifts to him that
he might give them to the church.
Slowly, one by one, the Indians
brought their offerings and laid them
at the padres feet; a rough cross,
carved from a madrone tree; q. prayer
desk. cut from the same wood; a foot
stool and candlesticks. all shaped with
infinite patience; white cloths for the
altar. coarse and rough. but woven and
interviewer with love. Something each
one brought, each one save Pedro. and
Pedro himself had disappeared from
the group.
For Pedro had found the bell not
only uninJured. but made perfect and
whole in the fierce flames that had an
nealed the crack IN it's bronze side, and
Pedro's gift to the padre. Psdro's gift
to the chapel was the bell that, quits
unknown to the padre, had been hung
in the belfry tower.
Overcome by his own sm0tion. Padre
Antonio stood silent for . moment.
Had not love WON'T Was not love tri-
umphantf Was II not their love for
him that made them rescue him from
the burning church? Wa It not their
love for him that made them bring
their offerings to the new mission?
Would 1t be hard to bring them,
through this love. to the loving heart
OF the church?
He raised his hand to give them the
blessing Of the church before he spoke
his own personal words when sudden
ly, floating down from the new bsIfry
tower came note clear. pure. sweet
and true. TenderIy, softly It called.
again and again. symbolizing the love
that had answered the padres prayers
not in his own way. but in the way OF
the Father whom he served.
Various Kinds OF Grafters.
Phonnera ffer-A n-ra ftar -. IL