The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1907-12-27
I!ys
Around tho stove.


Around tho stove.
Two members Of church had quar-
relied. Long though they had known
zach other, highly as each esteemed the
other, the quarrel came. 1t was made
worse by reason Of the fact that the
A.casion was trivial, and one related
to the church itself.
1t was q little church, and the men
were few. A quarrel between two OF
Its leading members could be hid from
no one; and it was deeply felt In the
loss Of the two from most Of their for
mer activities, for each refused to la
Dor In any work shared by the other.
Not always can the minister do much
In such a case. Sometimes the best
meant effort only widens the breach.
But In this case the pastor was reso-
lutte man, and one Of tact as we'll. After
repeated efforts, laboring with the two
men separately, holding up to them the
scandal of their conduct, the evil
wrought upon the church and In their
own lives, he brought them at last face
to face in his own home, each asked
the others forgiveness, and they re-
turned to the church.
Yet the reconciliation was not COM
plete Each had given a measured ac-
acknowledgement, and waited to see how
much the other would concede. Be
tween the two concessions was still a
disputable margin Of fault which
neither had acknowledged. Each in his
heart felt something of guilt uncon-
eessed, still cherished the memory of
unkind words spoken by the other and
only partially retracted and was say
ing in his heart that, come what might,
he would concede no additional inch.
Then the minister came again to the
breach. "Mr. Godfrey" he said to one
of them, II want to ask one additional
favor of you"
! "You needn't ask me to acknowledge
any more" said Mr.. Godfrey.
mo, don't ask any further acknowl
!, edgment. You have acknowledged
much, both of you. You have made
;, good beginning All l ask is this
After meeting on Sunday, try to ge
= on the same side Of the stove with MI
Lynn"
81 don't see what that has to do will
It." said Mr.. Godfrey.
e mo matter. Just do that. VIII
your"
With rather poor grace he promised
And then the minister eXacted the sam
20 promise from the other man.
ri 81 don't think he cares to have m
q come any nearer" said Mr.. Lynn.
u, Eyes he does" said the ministe
ID Sand you are now within six feet {
Il. each other. 1t is a pity to come so ia
to acknowledge so much. and then ia
Il short. You can't measure the distant
,e and meet halfway, for the stove is
in the way, and other things, too, perhap
IS So come around"
or instead Of gathering, each with lit
th group Of friends, on opposite sides
10 the stove, the two men met where ii
er open space was largest. The sermc
had been made five minutes short
&c than usual, and the time before Sund;
OF school was thus made longer. Wi
N their reconciliation made known al
SO published, as 1t had been for fol
IN night, there was nothing for the tv
o. men to do but to act as II they we
,r reconciled; and soon practical que
ton Of church activity set them
work together. The little margin
unconfessed wrong was left undecide
he and the quarrel never broke out agal
of 1t often happens when good peor
he fall out, whether in home or church
re- neighborhood, that all that remains
&c complete reconciliation is that t
Iii. two shall leave the unconfessed renal
Ia der, after each has confessed what
rs. is willing to confess, and that DO
he shall gravitate to the same side of t
70 stove.-Youth's Companion.