The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1904-03-25
The
Greer
a Story Of an Easter Offering
By WALTON WILLIAMS

III was Palm Sunday. The first
balmy spring day had come, and
the lilac buds were bursting, dis
playing their tiny leaves. The
hOwers I'm the open air had not as yet
shown any signs OF life. but thousands
were budding under glass preparatory
90 filing the churches on Easter sun
day. A young man and girl were
walking on a country road toward
spire that loomed i'm the distance above
- a clump OF trees and from which q sill
yer toned bell was summOning the peO-
pie 90 the morning service.
so you think, Ned" said the girl.
that you must give up your studies at
the seminary and your plan Of becOm-
ing a clergyman
What can | do. AgneSE l have still
two years OF study before gradus ton
y md haven't a dollar i'm my pocket. l
Gould make enough TO keep me. for I
can teach In vacation, tutor i'm term
time and am quite sure of the Wilson
scholarship But mother needs every
cent can possibly earn. even giving all
my time 10 money making. She not
only needs her living but. i'm the poor
state of her health. the care Of doctor.
comforts and delicacies"
The girl walked on without response
She knew what her friend said was
true. They had been SchOolmates. She
had watched the development Of his
brain. and when be decided to turn his
talents 60 the ministry she had re-
joicad At that time his father was
living and ready to help him. All as
sistancp had been suddenly cut OF 10y
the death Of that father a few weeks
before
'Oh. how I wish I were rich eN-
claimed the girl. with a sigh. How
much good 7 could do with my money
You don't suppose. Agnes. that l
would accept assistance from a girl"
She turned and looked at him with a
pair OF honest. expressive eyes that
told him he had hurt her.
That is. any girl except YOU" he
added 10 heal the wound 'Of course
II YOU were very rich l would let you
lend me what Is needed AMI would pay
YOU when I received a call"
Ry this time they had reached the
church and Joined the throng that was
entering. After service the minister
caught young Edward Changers eye
and beckoned him into his study.
What's this | hear, Edward. about
your giving up your studies for the
ministry"
81 am obliged to give them up" re-
piled the young man. and he gave his
reasons.
Tn, clergyman knit his brows. Il
am obliged TO admit" he said. that
YOU are right. but / cannot be recon
ciled 10 the church losing your services
We're il not that we are so loaded with
necessities Just at this time l would
make an attempt 10 raise what you
need.
You are very kind
Not to YOU" interrupted the clergy
man. while I should he glad to serve
YOU personally. I would not attempt TO
helm YOU by levying contributions TOT
YOU. and know you too well 10 tnlhk
tEat YOU would accept them. we heeu
good men. fitted for our work, ana L
lad set my heart on the church secuf-
ing you. Have you come TO a decision
as 10 what you will dO:'
No. We are not expected al the
seminary till after Easter Sunday. ana
shall decide on that day. The Lord
will direct me-"
"Hn viii surely"
The young man left the church ana
Joined Agnes Keith. who was waiting
for him at the door. As they walked
hOmeward Edward gave her the SUD
stance Of his conversation with their
minister. BIRDS were chirpinS IN the
trees lining the road. and an army OF
insects 1y.S crawling out into the sun
lS-ht. Youth. under the influence OF