The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-02-07

When the was over, and he turned back to
his duties, the people gathered about him and said,
You must not leave us. You must continue to
to for the Sabbath
His heart had anticipated this request and he had
settled the answer Although it required most of
Saturday to get to his field half of Monday to
return, he would go. But he did not give up his
longing for the scholarship Il will work just so
much the harder" he said. Il cannot afford to let
go the chance of lifetime"
The years work hard. Study and travel and
the interruptions of his church relations made it
difficult to keep up AT time he lost week
through funeral that called him back to the church
and left him sick with fatigue and exposure. BY
the end of the first session he had given up the
prize, and working only to do the best possible
under the circumstances. Yet, although he grieved
at the loss, he somehow comforted the weekly
association with the little handful OF people who
looked up to him on Sunday with growing sense OF
confidence and appreciation And this joy he
ceased to mourn, and plodded with his too heavy
work.
Out of a clear sky came the announcement at COM
mencement time By close margin he had left
both his competitors behind and entitled to the
fellowship. His heart gave a great leap as the
friend who had stood next him in the competition
brought him the news, and congratulated him. But
while he was yet standing the postman brought let
ter. The little church had held a meeting, and had
extended to him unanimous call to be its regular
pastor.
next Saturday to say goodbye, and commend them
to the care OF God and to recommend another
III the middle class who would come out for the
summer he had first come
But when he stood in the pulpit his easy decIina-
ton grew strangely hard. The people were await
ing his utterance with hope fear How could
they estimate the opportunity he it? What
dld 1t mean to them that man who had given so
many years to study already had opportunity to
study for two years more? And, on the other hand
how much it meant to them that he should come and
be their minister
He started to tell them why he must decline and
ended IN accepting He could not tear himself away
from their love. He secured in his own stead the
appointment of the friend who had brought him the
word, and with devotion which some good men
thought quiXotic he went work in obscure field
Had there oeen no such men, should have had
no tales from Drumtochty, stories that stir the
blood like those of the from Glengary. Such
another man did Spelman prove
A few weeks ago, after ministry of SIX happy and
fruitful years, in which he saw the church repaired
the congregation more than doubled the membership
increased and the future made bright he accepted a
call to large church.
Have you regretted the choice you made
when you decided to stay here ?" asked friend
only for moment and then For all the
rest OF the time L have known that with the oppor
tunlty this parish has afforded of unDroken study
was getting as much as could have got abroad And
In the revelation which has been made to me- through
my Ielatlons with the people, have obtained what
no IN. ID" In all Germany could give"
THINK, said his friend, "tnis church should have
authority TO vote you what you have earned-your
postgraduate degree, Gun. laude"