The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-07-31

THE REV. MI. BuTrEnrTELp WAS ANSWER.
mo KEBwIs.
New England town. The man was
valued for his honesty. which had be-
come superstition In that region.
His "creed" was generally regarded as
q mere superficial oddly. harmless
atfectation resulting from reading too
many big books. Yet the man had
poisoned more than one mind In that
town, though the victims themselves
were In most cases unaware OF II.
However. let me speak OF Karwin a.
well as I can. owe him much. II
was as his secret adversary that be.
took myself q second time to DENLY.
II was the decision to tell Lucy the
whole truth about the matter which
first brought us into real harmony. So
/ must bless this wrong headed rascal
even while condemn him.
Az Easter approached, the condition
OF Mr.. ButterAeld's mind seemed to
grow worse. He formed the habit OF
taking long walks In the evening and
Of rising at an unreasonable hour In
the morning. Lucy wrote me. that he
would certainly break down, and upon
the Friday before Easter received a
very urgent letter from her begging
me TO be with them on Sunday.
could not get away In time for Sat
urday afternoons train, and tele-
graphed Lucy that 1t would be impos-
sible for me TO come. At the last mo-
ment, however, | decided to risk the
roads In my automobile. and as a re-
suit left the car In farmers barn
twenty miles from DENLY and reached
that place In the farmers wagon about
II o'clock Sunday forenoon.
The sermon had begun In Mr.. But
terheld's church when / crept In and
took the most lnconspicuous seat No
one noticed me. My first glance re-
yealed to me that the congregation was
exceptionally intent upon the dis
course. There was q thrill In the air
that alarmed me at first. and then |
perceived the flavor Of keen enjoy
ment.
That reverent assemblage was wor-
Shipping with fervor, and at the same
time II was tasting an exquisite pleas
ure. Nothing else so delights New
England gathering as discourse
which has message that Is not in the
words, vet is clear to all; something
which is perceived. but not heard; un-
derstood without statement, appealing
to the long cherished secret opinions Of
the hearers, fulfilling task which
each has striven with on his own ac-
count.
The Rev. Mr.. Buttertield was answer
Ing Kerwin with infinite dellcacy, with
out the falntest personal reference or
recognizable quotation, yet all present
understood They knew also in what
way the two men who for years had
held aloof had at last been brought to-
gether, 1t looked like fate Otherwise
Mr.. Butterfeld might soon have passed
to his reward and never have done this
work which was his to do In that COM
munity. He had needed personal expe
rience OF Kerwin's method Of attack,
the personal pain Of finding no answer
the Joy Of final perception that all those
arguments are really beside the issue
and that realities Of spiritual things
cannot be attacked by testimony Of
those who have not seen them because
they have studiously looked the other
way.
1t was the absolute end Of Kerwin's
reputation as a spiritual adviser" in
that town, and everybody felt 1t to be
80, But the strangest part of 1t was
that Kerwin took the thrust so well,
He positively enjoyed 1t.
"The venerable villain" said he,
meeting me after the service. "He has
undermined my. faith, And at my ags