The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-25

conndonti
Az Basil Gortro listened his heart OK
patdod In love and Fellowship towards
these brother Christians. The dark phan-
toms which had riotud in his sick brain
during the long weeks OF his illness lay
dead and harmless now. The monstrous
visions OF conventional AID sotnni
Christianity, covering a word of secret
and gliding atheism, seemed Incredibly
far removed from the glorious truth, 81
these strong, homcly people Dans n full
voiced aye to tho great broodlng Trinity
OF Power and Love unseen, tut al,
around them.
Who was lie to be refined and too
dainty for hi. uses. Thee seemed notit-
ing homogeneous IN the picture before
his eyes. The litter Of broken ham, the
sloppy cups. the black-coated men with
brilliant, sisy-blle sntin ties, the woman
with thick gnarled hands and clothes
the colour of a copper Kettle, what were
they nov but his very OWL brethcren,
united In this burst of praise?
and he Joined III the doxoogy with
ell his heart and voice. his clear tenor
soaring ioyously aiovc the rest;
ITO Father. Son. and Holy Ghost.
dore.
From men and from the Angel-h6st
BE praise and glory evermorc. Amen"
1t ceased with suddenness. There was
the satisfied silence of second, and
then the attendant helpers, assisted by
the feasters. fell swiftly upon the tables.
Cloths and crockery vanished like snow
melting In sunlight, and as each table
was laid bare 1t was turned up by II
putcnt arrangement. and became long
bench with q back, which was added
to the rows of seats facing the plat
form. AS each iron-supported seat was
pushed noisily into its place 1t was filed
up at once with a laughing crowd, re-
plcte but active, smacking anticlpatory
chops over the entertainment and speech
making to come.
Mr.. Cuthbert, a painstaking pianist,
whose repertoire was noisily common
place, opened the concert with solo.
Songs and recltations followed. All
were we'll received by an audience which
was determined to enjoy itself. but it
was obvious that the real event OF the
gathering was eagerly awaited.
At last the eventful moment arrived.
A table covered with green baize and
bearing some objects concealed by a
ClOtn WAS CdTTleu Ipi'trIDtl anu
row of chairs placed on either side Of
It,
The vicar, Basil, strange Clergyman,
and little group OF black-coated church
wardens and sidesmen filed upon the
platform amid umultuous cheering and
clapping of hands.
Mr.. Pryte. the solicitor. rose first,
and pronounced a somewhat pompous
but sincere eulogy upon Basil's work
and life at Waiktown. which was heard
IT. an absolute and appreciative silence.
only broken by the scratching pencil
o. the reporter from a local paper.
Then he called upon the vicar to make
the presentation.
Basil advanced to the table.
MY dear friends and fellow workers"
said Mr. Byars, IT am not going to add
much to what Mr.. Pryde has said. AS
most of you know, Mr.. Gortre stands
and is about to stand to me in even a
nearer and more intimate relation than
that of assistant priest to his parish
priest. But before giving Mr.. Gortre the
beautiful presents which your unbound
ed generosity has provided, and in order
that you may have as little speech-
making from me as possible, I want to
take this opportunity OF introducing the
Revcran Henry Nuttal1 20 YOU To-
night"
He bowed towards the stanger clergy
man. pleasant, burly, clean-shaven
man.
II am going from among you for a
couple of months, as / believe you have
been told, and Mr.. Nuttall is to take
my place as your temporary pastor for
that time. My doctor has ordered me
rest for time. So my daughter and
myself, together with Mr.. Gortre. who
sadly needs change after his illness, and
who Is not to take UP his duties in Lon
don for several weeks, are going away
together for a holiday. And now I will
simply ask Mr.. Gortre to accept this
tea-service and watch in the name of
the congregation of st. Thomas as a
token OF their esteem and goodwill.
He pulled the cloth away and dis
played some glttering silver vessels.
Then he handed the agitated young man
gold watch in a leather case.
Basil faced the shouting, enthus fastic
crowd, staring through dimmed eyes at
the long rows of animated faces.
When there was little silence he be-
gan to speak In vpice OF great emo
tion.
Very simply and earnestly he thanked
them for their goodwill and kindness.
This may be-" he said. "the last time
SHdil ever IldSe piiNhc6o pledS-
ure of speaking to you. I want to give
you one last message. want to urge
one and all here tonight to do one
thing. Keep your faith unspotted, un-
stained by doubts, uninfluenced by fears.
Do that and all will be we'll with you
here and hereafter His voice sank
full tone and he spoke with marked
emphasis. IT have sometimes thought
and felt of late that possibly the time
may be at hand. we who are here to-
night may witness time, when the
Powers and Prncipalities of evil will
make great and determined onslaught
upon the Christian Faith. may not
read the signs OF the times Alright. my
premonitions-for they have sometimes
amounted even to that--may be unfound-
ed or imaginary. But II such time
shall come. II the horror of great dark
ness spiritual horror, that We read of
in Genesis. descend upon the world and
envelop 1t in its gloom and terror. oh!
let us have faith. Keep the light burn
ing. steadilY Let nothing disturb thee: