The Washington times., 1903-01-25

passed no such judgment.
The silence had grown almost pain
full when it was broken by the bish-
ops voice once more announcing his
text. and no trace Of agitation showed
itself in the quiet, even tones.
IF We say that We have no sin we
deceive ourselves, and the truth is not
in us; but if we confess ou- sins. God
Is faithful and just to forgive US our
sins and to cleanse us from all uu-
righteousness"
The sermon upon this theme was
very much unlike those to which Port
Huron was accustomed to listen. and
even the choir boys hea-kened on this
occasion. The bishop spoke as men
speak who are intensely in earnest.
AIediocrity becomes respectable when
the speaker is impressed with his
theme. but when eIoquence IS touched
with the browning quality Of intense
sincerity. its utterance becomes inspi-
ration. And the bishop appeared like
one inspired while he faced his audi
ence that morning.
After the sermon was over, If the
singular preparatory pause was re-
/ called. it was attributed TO some mo-
Imentary indisposfuon by most Of those
present But the rector did not thus
account for it; and being as imper-
vious to sermons as most cIergymen
grow to be in time, he gave only crfti-
/ cal and hostile attention to the pres
ent one. There was one other listener
who did not interpret the pause as
/ the congregation had done, but placed
no uncharftabIe construction upon it.
In that pause this listener realized
that the Bishop Of Oklaho had sud
denly come face to face with his near
/ " forgotten past.
THE church appeared very full to-
day" observed the prelate blandly, as
he walked home to dinner with the
rector after service
Yes" returned the other, with that
little show of cynicism observable in
| clergymen turned fifty who have not
attained distinction. yes. it was. A
confirmation brings every one out"
The sharp note did not escape the
bishops notice He had recognized it
in the voices Of other clergymen on
similar occasions. and IT amused him
a little. Yet to all appearance he ig-
nored its existence and went on plac-
idly with what he had in mind.
Il fancied some Of the people might
have been from the Canadian side"
$50 they We're" answered the rec
tor; at least twenty or thirty Of them
/ One was that rather good looking
woman sitting in the last seat but one
on the left Of the middle aisle. She
/ had her son with her-a boy Of about
fifteen. You may have observed her,
! for strangers are apt 10 ask who she
! is, I find"
ct think do remember Sing some
such person as you describe" said
the bishop, indiferently- rs she any
body in particular"
NO one knows very much about
/ her" was the rectors response. "She
/ is a widow who has lived ten years or
more at Fort Edward. and who. I
hear, is much liked by her neighbors.
+ Her name is Eccleston, and have
come to know her slightly from her
/ occasional attendance al my church.
( But here we are at the rectory."
/ In the afternoon, as the bishop was
( taking a quiet walk by himself along
/ the river side, and thereby somewhat
/ scandalizing the Baptist parson, he
was met by the boy Of whose mother
! the rector had spoken in the morning.
You are the bishop, are you not,
sir?" said the lad a little timidly, as
he raised his hat.
They cali me one" returned the
dignitary, smiling
There was a strong likeness between
the two as they stood together on the
river bank looking toward Lake HUI
ron. One might have almost taken
them for brothers. The bishop ap-
I peared not a day over thiTty-fve,
while the lad. though but fifteen. was
tall. and looked several years older
than that.
My mother wished me 10 say, # I
saw you" said the younger. that she
would be glad II you could find time
to call upon her before you leave Port
Huron, for she once knew you, she
says. Our name is Eccleston. and we
live over across the river between
/ Fort Edward and Sarnia."
4 leave for Chicago tomorrow
morning" said the bishop; but I
have an hour or two Of leisure this
afternoon. Perhaps you viii kindly