Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-05-23
w. B. DIXON,
Northwestern Passenger Agent,
ST. PAUL, MINI.

committee Of fifty There are five or I
six families in my parish in great need
OF my personal visitation, and two
deaths occurred yesterday, which
means funeral services tomorrow. NV
assistant has been on the sick list for
nearly a month, and the church, of
course, cannot well supply his place,
although volunteers are doing some of
bis work. l am not complaining, Cor
don. have some of the best men and
women in the city in my church men,
bership. They are loyal and true, and
any man might we'll be proud of their
| friendship.
F Il am not complaining either about
the bewildering number of calls on nv
| time and sympathy from strangers and
people entirely outside of my parish. 1t
is compliment to the ministry that
the un-Christian part of the community
turns to the church and the preacher
for comfort and help. All these things
l accepted when l entered. the profess
sion. would be fool to act the baby
now that heavy burdens of trouble in
other peoples lives are rolled upon me-
It is all part of the profession which
l deliberately chose. A doctor might
as we'll complain that his work brings
him face to face all the time with
physical pain as the minister complain
that his work brings him constantly
into the presence of sin sickness and
spiritual ruin. This is what every true
ministry means and always will mean,
and the man who wants to shirk all
that had better never enter the busi-
ness of preacher and pastor. But the
doubt that lately has begun to torment
me is the doubt that all this that am
doing in and through the church is
, worth while doing through that organ
ization. My ideals are constantly disap-
pointed. With the exception of the
minority that can be found in almost
every church l am obliged to confess
that my views of the real work a
church ought to do are not accepted by
my people, and I am going on with the
pressure on me of all this miscellane-
GUS machinery of service, tormented
with the question. Is the church, after
all, the best organization for doing
work for humanity, or is the church
even approximately doing the things
that most need to be done? 1t is not
the service that l shrink from. I am
only filed with a great longing to
serve in the place where it will amount
to something"
"You are tired out" John Gordon
laid his hand affectionately on Paul
| C01r
just what else to say. His thought of
the church had conceded too closely
with the minister's to enable him to
come to the defense of the church as it
seemed to need defense In the face of
Falmouth's doubts.
The minister smiled at Gordon rather
sadly.
II may be tired at present, but that
does not account for my present posi-
ton. Don't let it vex you," he added
quickly. II ought not to have deliv-
cred my little woe here. This house is
the center Of its own peculiar sorrows.
God forbid that should introduce into
it my own selfish egotism or even my
personal struggles for light in my own
darkness"
always room for one more, I am
sure" Gordon protested, but Falmouth
shook his head and refused to continue
the discussion. He had risen to 60
when Miss Andrews entered with q
j glow on her face that struck both men
as new look.
Read that!' she said, putting let
ter into Gordon's hand.
The letter was from Mrs. George Eff
fngham.- .*-...
My Dear Miss Andrews-Pardon my de-
lay in answering your beautiful letter.
My, grandson has been very i'll, and the
care Of him has confined me constantly at
his bedside. + am not quite as young as
used to be and begin to feel the weight
Of my years on my body. though my soul
is still fresh and vigorous. thank God. Z
SO poor Mr.. Barton has passed. on. ]
shall enjoy having time enough to make
brave and noble soul and Is now enjoy
ing his reward. do not know that YOU
were 1t all acquainted with him. iot
course, sbutstE was. al you know, through
his correspondence that / first was influ-
enced to think Of your particular work al
q worthy placeSinto which q: little money
might zgo for humanitys sake. In one
sense, therefore, he Ii the real donor OF
whatever lSsems, to come from me.
On condition that my name Is not used
. | anywhere on any buildings that may be
!. erected and also on condition that the pa
ask Tor my photograph, with q btograph-
tcai sketch, I would like TO give $1Oa, 900 ia
Hope House to use In any way you and
your workers think best Whsnyou have
used that UP. I. Will give another hundred
thousand to Be speut "a The. same or an
MI ufpaa a