Middletown transcript., 1909-11-27
Thanksgiving Experience
BY LENA BLINN LEWIS


thing, Tom; it seems dreadful not
to.
1 know it does, Jennie, but
what can We doS
We should at least hold a ser
vice. !,
with you as congregation and
choir, and me as preacher. ! am
Discouraged, Jennie, and feel
like giving up the whole thing
Perhaps the Lord sentsus here
but l.
There, Tom. don't say it. VI
course the Lord sent US, and
don't you remember, dear when
the Bishop placed his hands up
on our heads at the ordination
service, he said we were going
out into a field of trial, and II
might be one long sacrl1ce OF
self. but we would have strong
hearts and brave spirits, and
would remember his text OF the
morning, BE ye faithful You
know, Tom, l knelt right beside
you, and it was such a privilege
the wives of the young MINIS
ters had never been given It oe'
fore. l am sure l will never Tor
get that afternoon-the old cen
tral Church in Detroit, the great
multitude of people, and the low
ing. tender face of the Bishop
1t was grand, Tom, and I believe
was a special blessing from COO ,
TO us. We have work to do, and
there are souls to save here, We
must not falter, even IN our
thoughts.
You are right, Jennie, and a
brave, true little woman We
will hold a service of some sort,
and perhaps good will come
The little clock in the corner
struck twelve when the two tired
heads went to rest, but their
hearts we're at peace, and the
Bishops text followed them to
dreamland.
It was the first year of the
mission. When it was started
there we're a number OF families
who were regular attendants and
a good many outsiders, In the
small mining town; but the mines
had proved to be a failure, and
one by one the miners moved
away, leaving the young mission
aries without a flock.
Winter was coming on, and 1t
was not to be wondered at that
the pastor was discouraged; but
he had been hoping a new mine
would open and there would yet
be work for him to do.
A week went by, and they had
thought and planned for Thanks,
giving; they would hold service
anyway, ,andJ Jenny would prepare
the incest dinner she could out ot
their scanty store of good things.
There were two wretched FAM
lilies in the Hollow, and Tom sug'
gested they might invite them
to the meeting; and if they knew
a dinner was to follow, they
might be persuaded to come; 50
they both went into the "high'
ways and hedges, I" as it were,
looking for guests to attend their
feast. But they were doomed to
disappointment, for they found
the huts were empty, and they
were truly alone with nature ano
with God.
They must have moved in the
night, Tom said, but We will e
on our way with thanksgiving, i
not with rejoicing.
The day before Thanksgiving
the young minister drove to tht
nearest village, some twenty
miles distant, to get some provi
sions and what mail there nigh
be-since the closing of the mines
they had not been able to ge
their mail unless they went for j
themselves.
Tom started early, and the da,
was long to Jennie; but she wa
contented until evening came
when she began to feel nervou
and lonely.
The thought of the dear one
at home, the pretty cozy room
with the cheerful CRATE fire an,
the happy, loving faces, with tn
brightness Of it all, made he
heart.sick and she cried as onl
q homesick girl can cry. Bu
soon she heard Toms whistle
and in her gladness her tear
were forgotten.
Here is a surprise for yor
dear, and some letters fror
home, Tom said, as he carried
big box into the house.
Oh, it is from father, Tom, an
Jennie touched it tenderly, a
&I.arr.1, - ~r,o- = ~nol frsonJ Ruxr