The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-03-20

VIII AlsAh ENNtAAi
interviews with friends who came to
Hope House TO congratulate him Oh his
recovery and talk over the work OF the
settlement
Among these callers one day was Mr..
Marsh.
Gordon" he said frankly after he
had expressed his interest in the pro-
posed use OF the property he had turned
over to the settlement Il am deeply
sorry that you and Luella have decided
10 go your ways apart She needs just
your strength. She is going TO lead
life of almless effort"
1T is best as 1t is, sir" Gordon had
answered
There is no possibility of any recon-
ciliation, them
No; we have not quarreled; we have
simply understood. There can be no
other way for her or me-"
II am sorry" Mr. Marsh sighed.
-'She needed you, and so do l."
He spoke wistfully. Gordon read in
it a whole history of human weakness,
struggling up toward light and
strength.
He put his hand into the older mans.
"If my friendship is of any value to
you. MIR. Marsh, you have it,
Marsh went away. and Gordon unused
over his future. How far would the
man use his wealth, his education, his
responsibility, to help the weak and
overcome his horror OF humanity's sin
and trouble because he learned to love
instead of tremble?
Paul Falmouth was a welcome visit
or. He was much encouraged over the
results of the city campaign.
Il learned my share from it," he said
after giving Gordon his experience
with the young peoples civic league in
his church. 1.-The church is not all bad.
There is great hope in its young life.
+, There is where / am going TO put my
| own strength and enthusiasm. I have
stopped preaching great sermons to old
| people. have begun to teach my chill
/ dren- / have begun to learn that the
| Office of the ministry is not to draw the
| crowd, but to instruct a handful and
| make disciples. Gordon. l see some
| hopeful signs in the church OF the fu-
| ture"
"Glad TO hear it." Gordon answered
| gladly. 81 always believed the church
| contained ieaven. There is always
| hope for any institution that has leav-
| en- in #"
/ ''The leaven of the church OF this
century In its children" the minister
said and went his way. leaving Gordon
4 to muse over the power of that force
that represented through all the ages
the love OF Jesus, an organization OBJ
scured and at times almost extinct,
but glowing yet with an inward illumi-
nation that has not forgotten the COM
mands of Master who loved the
church and gave himself for II. that he
might sanctify 1t and make of it an in
stitution at last without spot or wrin-
kle or any such thing.
Mrs. Penrose was one OF Gordon's
most interesting visitors. She came in
and chatted familiarly and at times
fippantly of all things on earth and
/ under heaven. At last she said sud
denly:
$50 Luella has got her heshpots.
They contain bitter brew for her. Are
you satisfied"
There was nothing else for her to
do" Gordon answered after a mo-
mentis silence.
You're going to grow better for II.
She's going to grow worse. / did my
best for you"
THANK you." Gordon answered SIM
ply.
Archie tried again the other day. He
will never make another attempt.
have advised him to go abroad. He
sails next month"
Gordon made no reply. Mrs. Penrose
sighed.
why don't you and Miss Andrews'-
Gordon gave her a look that stopped
her.
Pardon me. Go on with your good
work for the children. Let me come
down once in awhile and help. I'm
not altogether bad. Gordon. Simply
born so. But life's drcary sort of
tumble to me. / made my choice
Goodby. Best wishes to you"
When she was gone. Gordon, hesitat.
ingly to himself. lifted the curtain OF
her future as il might be. 1t was n
future of contradictions. Poor. wasted
] life of an immortal spirit. How you
have missed and shall miss forever the
joys of triumphant womanhood! Poor
pitiable creature, Homeless. Child
less, No two words in all human
speech can more deeply describe youl
poverty, your loneliness,
Julius Chambers was one of the mos
welcome callers as Gordon daily grew
, stronger and more buoyant.
"The city is looking up" he said il
his cultured voice. This housing prob
lem is something tremendous. 1t vii
, simply have to come to cheap trans
portation, city own the means, con
denim all this property, tear down
. build up, make suburban residence pos
sible for the poor: in short. we've go
dozen questions in one involved il
. the tenement problem. But I'm hope
. | full. The business men are getting
walked up. Best of all. the saloon !:
, | getting n lot Of free advertising. The
, | cranks are right, as they have been al
: | the time, and we've got to come to it
wipe out the saloon, put home in iti
, place. that's the only substitute wortl
anything. Public entertainment halls
, resorts. gymnasiums, libraries, parks
lighthouses. all that, good as it's, can
not equal good home. The salvation
OF the city lies I'm its ability 20 build NJ
| Christian homes. That's CIVIC reform
/ in sentence"
. He stayed longer than Ford said wa
good for Gordon. But Gordon said II,
] | was a tonic, and when he was gone h,
: stretched himself. got up, walke'
across the room exulting in his return
t ing strength. and when Ford came il