The Wichita daily eagle., 1904-04-03
ONE EASTER MORNING

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20 the Eagle:
was Easter morning. The great stone
| church was a bower of beauty, with its
profusion of palms, ferns and Easter lilies
The spring sunshine filtered through the
stained glass windows flooding the church
w. a soft, prsmatic radiance The con-
| gregation was large and richly dressed.
and among the young there was much
brightness of Easter attire. The church
was beautiful in all its appointments and
the young minister. tall, handsome and
distinguished looking harmonized perfect.
ly with his surroundings. He was almost
stranger among them. and his people
did not understand him. Instead of mix
ing with the people, he seemed to stand
aloof studying them. His quiet dignity
and calm reserve was inpenefrable The
members of his church resented it, but he
drew large congregation which he held
spellboUnd with the power Of his elo-
quencc, and they We're proud of his fine
presence and elegant address. so they
forgave what he seemed to lack, socially
and spiritually.
The Easter service began with an organ
voluntary. The great organ was thing
OF life in the hands of the organist. 1t
seemed to comprehend his every thought
and be responsive TO his slightest touch
When his hands swept the keys a wild.
sweet burst of melody went sweeping
through the flower wreathed arches,
growing softer and softer until lost in the
far dim corners of the church. Then like
a deep toned bell the music rolled away
from the organ reverberating through
the perfumed air, echoing and reechoing
far up in the lofty dome. Then the little
birds began singing, the breezes sighed
through the tree tops, a ripping brook
kept laughing and murmuring as it dane
ed over the stones, and through it all
could be heard the faint roar of a distant
waterfall. Then came a mingling OF melo-
dious notes indescribably sweet, growing
fainter and fainter until the great organ
only breathed out its music. and at this
moment. when silence reigned. save the
faint breathing of the organ, a little child
came slowly up the center aisle. poorly
clad but with wealth of golden hair
which nearly enveloped her tiny form
The little one stopped in front of the
chancel and with her hands casped be-
fore her, stood looking at the lilies, stand
ing out white and beautiful from their
background of ferns. The sexton with a
frown on his face had FASTENED up the
aisle in pursuit of the little intruder, but
before ne overlook her the minister had
raised his hand and waved him back. The
organ was still family breathing when
a sweet, childnh voice broke the silence
with the request: please. Mr.. Preacher.
won't you give me just one lily for my
mama She is so sick; just one white lily,
please?"
The Minister came down from the pulpit
and selecting large, perfect blossom.
gave it to the child.
"Oh, you are so good said she. Let
me give you a kiss for the lily"
The young minister bent his head and
she kissed him on either cheek. Then he
lifted her up in his arms and stood facing
the congregation. One arm was around
his neck and the other dimpled hand held
the lily close to her breast, her hair fell
in a tangled mass of golden curls far be-
low her waist. Her face. as beautiful as
one of Raphael's cherubs, was dimpled
with a smile of pleased surprise as her
violet eyes wandered over the church. She
saw not tn epeOple, but feasted her eyes
on the vine draped galleries and flower
wreathed arches The young minister's
face was transtiSured when he arose with
the child in his arms. but the light faded
from his face when he saw looks of dis
approval and displeasure on some of the
faces before him.
In a low distinct voice he uttered these
words: Suffer little children to come
unto me-" The sweet voice or the child
joined his, "and forbid them not, for of
such is the kingdom of heaven"
Then in a voice clear and vibrant with
intensity of feeling. Verify. verify ! say
unto you, except ye he converted and be-
come as little children We shall not enter
into the kingdom Of heaven
Then kissing the childs white forehead,
he lifted her tenderly over the chancel rail
into the aisle. And thus il was that the
great congregation caught their first
glimpse of the young minister's soul. AS
the little one tripped down the aisle hold
ing the precious lily to her heart, the
organist struck the chords of the Easter
anthem and the choinr, as with one voice
burst forth into singing Christ is risen,
Oh. JOY TO the world Christ is risen. oh.
10Y TO the world
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