The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1907-03-28
AN EASTER AWAKENING
BY HILDA RICHMOND.
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GLOW in the world did you tear your
self away from your hustling Dakota town
to spend a little time with your friends"
said the Rev. Mr.. Payne. 1T does my
eyes good to see you once more, and you
are just in time for our Easter service
| never saw the church decorated so beau
tifully before
Il came East with a client of mine,
partly OH business and partly pleasure"
said Mr.. Stafford, with a hearty hand
shake. II SHALL be delighted to hear you
preach and see your lovely decorations,
for have not quite come TO Easter
lilies in our growing little city,
~ lady to see you. Mr.. Payne" an
nounced the maid at the door
1T is Miss Murray, our soloist, Mark.
She won't stay long. for she only wants
to see about the music for tomorrow.
Show her in, Mary"
"Iiave you decided about the hymns
for tomorrow" asked the tall. stylish
visitor who declined seat and plunged
at once into business.
Il think we will use the one on the
first page" answered the minister. Per
sonly / prefer Christ. the Lord. is risen
to-day but perhaps the other will suit
the congregation best"
''very WE'LL" said the visitor, politely.
Good morning." and the door closed be-
hind her.
Il always think of the old saying that
a woman's heart must be broken before
she can sing with expression, whenever l
listen to that girl" said the minister when
they were alone "She sings exquisitely,
bot TO my mind heartlessly. Sunday af
lrcr Sunday the most beautiful hymns are
rendered in faultless way, but she does
mot thrill one like some poorer singers 1
have heard, who felt the music in their
souls. You will hear her for yourself TO-
morrow and can judge what is lacking"
Maybe she is not a Christian" sug-
eested Mr.. Stafford.
Il really cannot tell whether she is or
not. She does not belong to our church;
but the family she lives with are mem
bcrs Of st. Paul's and it may be she
belongs there. That can hardly be the
reason, though, for have heard her sing
al kinds of songs at different times and
places and always in the same cold. un-
feeling way"
Il never believed in the heart-broken
Miss Murray may sing as she does be-
cause her heart has been broken. | firm
~ believe the sweetest music comes from
hearts OVERLOOKING with perfect happi-
hess"
81 am absolutely certain that Rose
Murray never had her heart broken" an
swered his friend. "She is the coolest.
most calculating girl l ever saw She
ives with her uncle, who gives her ev-
erythine she wants. and yet she will not
sing for the smallest church entertain
rls5t without pay. She has a good salary
from the church aud is constantly making
money in other ways. Now, Mark, l see
the old expression in your eyes that used
to come when we were boys together, and
you had a little lecture for me on some
oil my sins. What is il? You can't deny
the charge, for your eyes tell on YOU"
MY dear boy. don't want to critcise.
Ier us talk Of something else. | am afraid
in the old days 1 must have seemed like
a c0nceited prig if l lectured enough 10
make you remember my expression while
doing So
Il remember that your lectures did
NE more good than anything else. Come
now, tell me what is wrong, and then we
VIII both feel easier, for shall not rest
till | know my sins"
well, then, If you must know, / was
thinking that popular preacher and pull
pit orator has very little time for the
individual members of his flock. That
Miss Murray did not look like happy
person, and yet you cannot even tell
whether or not she is Christian. Per-
haps a little effort on the part of some
Christian might bring her TO a saving
knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. How
can she sing the songs of Zion with very
much expression if she is a stranger to
the country? Mind. l am not blaming
you, Edward. | don't see how you ac-
complish as much as you do with the
many demands on your time
''There is great deal of truth in what
you say, Mark, and / am more TO blame
than you think. l enjoy being preacher
to my flock. rather than pastor, but | am
sure the latter wins more souls. Your
advice always was straight to the point.
| wonder why you could always see my
imperfectlons so clearly, and vet | was
never angry with you in my life"
Because / am so intensely interested
| read your sermons as soon as they are
printed You are very kind to say l
have not offended by my plain speaking"
Easter morning dawned bright and
sunny. The elm trees that dropped grace
fully over the wide, old streets showed
signs Of returning life and all nature was
beginning to feel the annual resurrection
that delights the people of the temperate
zone All Souls church was decked in
white and green and from the palm
powered pulpit Edward Payne faced a
| fashionably dressed throng of wosshipers.
Perhaps no one enjoyed the splendor of
| the lilies and grace of the ralms more
| than Mark Stafford. who had been absent
| from his native city for five years in a
hustling western town. The subdued.
mellow light. the exquisite perfume anl
| the deep tones of the great organ | fled
| him above the sordid things of Earth and
| filled his heart with holy peace.
From a shadowy corner came Rose
Murray to sing the opening hymn. Sim
ply but exquisitely dressed in spotless
| white, she was in harmony with the green
background and vase of lilies at her side
No sign of Easter gladness was in her
face as she stood waiting to begin. She
seemed entirely unconscious of the beauty
and peace that pervaded the very air,
for she only glanced at the decorations
| and audience with an Indifferent air
| Swift as light a transformation took
| place. Turning quickly she said a few
| words to the organist, who Immediately
l changed his music. Down in the audisncs