, 1908-08-20

greeting had been exchanged, "as 500
as i learned you were here In COM
mand. but only to discover your alb
sence. The sergeant, however. was
very courteous, and assured me there
would be no difficulty in arranging a
religious service for the men, unless
sudden orders should arrive. No
doubt l may rely on you coopera-
ton"
Most certainly" was the cordial
response, "and l shall also permit
those desiring to attend your regular
Sunday services so long as we are sta
toned here. How is YOU work pros
pering?"
There is much to encourage me.
but spiritual progress is slow, and
there are times when my faith falters
and | feel unworthy of the service in
which am engaged"
"a mining camp is so intensely ma
terial seven days of the week that 1t
must present e. difficult field for the
awakening of any religious senti-
ment," confessed Brant sympathetlcal-
ly. 81 have often wondered how you
consented to bury your talents in such
q place"
The other smiled, but with a trace
of sadness in his eyes. II firmly be
lieve that every minister should de-
vote a portion of his life to the doing
of such a work as this. 1t is both R
RELIGIONS and a atriotic duty, and
there is a rare Joy connected win it,"
yet It was surely not Joy | saw pic
tured within your face when we met;
you were certainly troubled over some
problem
Wyukoop glanced up quickly, 2
slight flush rising in his pale checks.
"Perplexing questions which must be
decided off-hand are constantly arts
ing. And just now l scarcely know
what action to take regarding certain
applications for church MEMBERSHIP"
Brant laughed. 81 hardly consider
myself a competent ad wiser in matters
of church policy" he admitted, yet I
have always been informed that all SO
desiring are to be made welcome in
religious fellowship"
Theoretically, yes" And tine min
lister stopped still in the road, facing
his companion. But this special case
presents certain peculiarlties. The
applicants. as | learn from others, are
not leading lives above reproach. So
far as / know, they have never even
attended church service until last Sun
day, and l have some reason to sus-
pect an Interior motive. l am auEiouS
20 put nothing in the way OF any hon.
estly seeking soul, yet | confess that
in these cases | hesitate"
But your =iders? Do not they share
the responsibility of passing upon
such applications?'
The flush on Mr.. Wynkoop's cheeks
]decpened, and his eyes fell. "Ordi-
narily. yes; but in his case | fear
they may prove unduly harsh. Ii
feel-that these applications came
through the special intercession Of a
certain young lady, and ! am anxious
not to hurt her feelings in any way, or
to discourage her enthusiasm"
"Oh. I seel Would you mind telling
ms the names of the two gentlemen"
MIR. John Mohat and Mr.. William
Mcneil. Unfortunately, l know neither
personally"
And the young LADY,"
"A Miss Phoebe Spencer; she has
but lately arrived from the east to
take charge of our new school-a most
Interesting and charming young won
an, and she is proving of great assist
snce to me in church work"
The lieutenant cleared his throat
and emitted a sigh of suddenly awak-
ened memory. 81 fear / can offer you
no advice, for if. as | begin to suspect,
though she sought most bravely to
avoid the issue and dispatch me upon
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