The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1908-01-09

Two members Of a church had quar-
relied Long though they had known
each other. highly as each esteemed the
other, the quarrel came. II was made
gorse by reason OF the fact that the
Acasion was trivial, and d related
70 the church itself.
1t was a little church. ana the men
we're few. A quarrel between two OF
It's leading members could be bid from
no one; and II was deeply felt In the
loss OF the two from most OF their for
mer activities, for each refused 70 la
Dor IN any work shared by the other.
Not always can the minister do much
IN such q case. Sometimes the best
meant effort only wIdens the breach
But In this case the pastor was a reso-
lutte man. and one Of tact as we'll After
repeated Efforts. laboring with the two
men separately. holding up 70 them the
scandal OF their conduct, the evil
wrought upon the church and In their
own lives. be brought them at last face
TO face In bis own home. each asked
the others forgiveness. and they re-
turned 70 the church
Yet the reconciliation was not com
plete. Each had given a measured ac-
acknowledgement. and waited 70 see how
much the other would concede- Be
tween the two concessions was stIn q
dlsputabie margin OF fzult which
neither had acknowledged Each In bis
heart felt something Of guilt uncon-
fessed. still cherished the memory OF
unklnd words spoken by the other n
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 d
OF them. 4 want to ask one additional
laycr OF you"
You needn't ask me 70 acknowledge
any MORE said Mr.. Godfrey.
"No. / don't ask any further acknowi-
edgfnent. You have acknowledged
much. both OF yon. 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.
Il don't see what that has to DO with
IT. said Mr.. Godfrey.
-No matter. Just do that VIII
your"
With rather poor grace be promised.
And then the minister exacfed the same
promlse from the other a
Il don't think be cares to have me
ccass any nearer said Mr.. Lynn
-Yes he does" said the minister
-And you are now within six feet OF
each other. II is a pity to come 80 far.
10 acknowledge 50 much. and then fall
short rou 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 a little
group OF friends. on opposite sides Of
the stove. the two men met where the
open space was largest The sermon
had beer made i've minutes shorter
than usual. and the time before Sunday
school was fhus made longer. With
their reconciliation made known and
published. as II had been for a fort
night. there was nothing for the two
men to do but to act as n they were
rcconciled and VI = practical ques-
ton Of church activity ser them at
work together. The little margin OF
unconfcssed o was left undecided
and the quarrel never broke out again.
II often happens when good people
fall out. whether in home OF church OF
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 70 confess. and that both
shall zTasitate to the same side OF the
stove.-f0ath's Companion.