Washington State journal. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1907-1911, 1907-12-26
ff!y!s
AHound the Stove.

Two members of a church had quar-
relied. Long though they had known
zach other, highly as each esteemed the
other, the quarrel came. 1t was made
Yorse by reason Of the fact that the
A.casion was trivial, and one related
TO the church itself.
1t was a little church, and the men
were few. A quarrel between two Of
Its leading members could be hid from
no one; and 1t 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 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 well. 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 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 a
good beginning. All I ask Is this
After meeting on Sunday, try to get
on the same side Of the stove with Mr..
lynn"
II don't see what that has to do with
It." said Mr.. Godfrey.
mo matter. Just do that. WIN
you"
With rather poor grace he promised.
And then the minister exacted the same
promise from the other man.
II don't think he cares to have me
come any nearer" said Mr.. Lynn.
Eyes. he does" said the minister.
sand you are now within six feet Of
each other. 1t is pity to come so far,
to acknowledge SO much, and then fall
short. You can't measure the distance
| and meet halfway, for the stove Is In
the way, and other things, too, perhaps.
| So come around"
The plan worked. The next Sunday,
instead Of gathering, each with little
group Of friends, on opposite sides of
open space was largest. The sermon
had been made five minutes shorter
than usual, and the time before Sunday
school was thus made longer. With
their reconciliation made known and
published, as It had been for fort
night. there was nothing for the two
men to do but to act as II they were
reconciled: and soon practical ques.
ton Of church activity set them at
work together The little margin OF
unconfessed wrong was left undecided,
and the quarrel never broke ont again.
1t often happens when good people
fall out, whether In home or church or
nelghborhood, that all that remains to
complete a, reconciliation Is that the
two shall leave the unconfessed remain
der, after each has confessed what he
IL willing to confess, and that both
shall gravitate to the same side of the
stove.-Youth's Companion.