The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-06-16
Something
On This
nv BANCROFT GIBSON.

The minister ot a ftAtie "i'NN ''" ~
was the younEes. son OF oeotSh
parensage who had made denials oi
earthly gain to eat*cate their son A0i
a the ministry. ,.,.
Roh,.rt guthrie came 10 the little
brick church al the age 81 thirty
1--WE although you would nave GIasSl-
fed him among the foTties. HIS DARK
hair had nov and then "a strong SHOW
ing of silver and his eyes were soft
sad and tender-~toO tender Tor biGe
eyes originally bright and merry
He MAS soon much beloved 10y MS
people TO whom be deN the psst
part OF truly useful lie.
His sermons. never long. nor over
TIE hearts aud beyond the heads OF,
his flock dealt simply and helpfuliy
with what they needed.
He was minister. pastor. friends
and vet not one member Of the con
gregation could be said To kHo" ROD
ert Guthrie.
He impre ssed ore. at THE beginning
as a man living under the shadow
of an unseen cross. nature Nhich
fed from self--a man who simply
suffered his own life IN the living in
and lifting Of the lives Of others.
Upon the occasions of communion
service he WAS deep puzzle TO elders.
dearons and mem ers-
No minister among them had ever
administered the holy sacraments
with deeper or more impressive
soiemnity.
Such occasions seemed to spiritually
exhaust him and little by little, the
people OF the little brick church
rursed genuine anxiety for pas
tor who continually refused both the
bread and the wine for himself.
This unAcCountabie action on his
part grew into a mystery OF grave
Importance and responsibiiity To the
elders who thought. trembling. Of its
force of example and began To grow
restless for a solution. II WAS in vain,
Very little was known OF this mans
life before ne came 10 them. Since,
az far as they knew. II had been
blameless but what does it profit n
man 10 hide his intentions from church
snuflirers7 From interfSe desire for
solution, the craving Of some Of the
church session grew into a strong be-
lief Of churchiy duty and commit
tee finally addressed their pastor on
the subject.
One of the elders Of that commit
tee never tires OF recounting the effect
ing feature of the minister's reply as
he said:
MY. good brethren. can only say
In explanation OF so strange an omts-
zion. that 1t IS a matter of conscience
with me-a very sad matter of CON
science
And the elder had replied that. as
q matter OF conscience, IL was his bust
ness of the Lord and not theirs
IL, a. the elder had said, IL was the
Lords business. il was not neglected
fnr the Sunday following that visit
OF investigation the little brick church
people were thrilled by a remarkable
sermon from the man behind their
pulpit. His text from the life Of ST
Stephen. Acts I, 80 verge. Lord, lay
not this sin to their change" seemed
to those who heard 1t. to be the most
sublime spirit Of imno9f aiized forgive
From the unimp4eachabie beauty o
n. me '-of@ef.4 or the duty of such
spirit and the fearful and regrcta bl
consequences of the unforgiving o
unforgiven.
HIS face was SO oder than his peopi.
had ever seen IL as he closed his ser
mon that day.
His church people went away NOR
puzzled and mystified than ever an,
were filled with all manner of specu
lations and meanings
As Robert Guthrie slowly crosse
the church lawn TO his cottage ,oa til
~ uEI ms lot. n Str anger hfffYetl afte
u HIM ffnt ri the church and accoste,
him Just as he reached his door
The stranger was woman. heavfI,
& yelled, who was dressed in a quiet
dark gown, which fitted u small. neat
E little figure
May ] have word with YOU {
you can spare me "A few moments -
she asked Robert Guthrie rs his han,
opened the door and he cordially in
sited her within.
Il hope i am not interrupting o
fntruding." she continued seatin,
herself before him, still with he
lowered veil
Certainly not an intrusion. AM
often. madam, our Interruptions ar
8, the outriders of opportunity"
II see YOU do not recognize me
Rev. Guthrie. ! viii lift my veil. -
you know me now %
increduiity was covered by aston
ishment; establishment followed b
distress: distress by pity. and at las
came relief to the minister's face "A
he arose. and. taking the little wo
mans hands In his. looked earnestl
into face Of furnished beauty, sad
der than his own,
You are my dead brothers WIFE
Elsie Guthrie"
Thank God, you are come in tim
to forgive,
ITO be forgiven, you mean, Rob.
broke his heart and dlsgraced his PEG
PIE by my unholy deseriion, and m
head is growing gray in my remorsv
II Ia ! who am come for pardon.
THAT sermon Of yours to-day an,
those words Of yours on "A clearanc
Of conscience came straight home
Philip is gone; We cannot reach him
but you may represent him in be
slowing pity on a repentant soul
And that clearance Of consCienc
IHGTNnI