The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1910-09-22

But, OF late years. into his soul
had stolen great desire-whose In
sidious coming had 'marred his use-
fulness. Il was a desire TO be out In
the world. His friends had often
told him he had a business head
He longed now 10 use IL. He saw
opportunities. More and more the
longing grew to mingle with bust
ness men, to share their chances OF
making money, and, with this, the
resolve came to end 1t all. TO no
longer bind himself to his minis
terial vows. 1t was the elimination
of his struggle against his better
self. The world, with it's mammon,
it's independence, beckoned him on.
Seems to me our minister's losin'
power" remarked shrewd old Mrs.
Griswold to young Mrs. Perry.
What's coming over him."
'T believe he's not praying
enough"
Hes goes about like a man in a
dream. Amt he clear on the doc
trines?"
Young Mrs. Perry had smiled.
"Oh, he's clear enough-no doubt
about that" she answered thought
fully, "but he looks to me like man
in a quandary, undecided, uneasy
about something. His sermons
seem directed more to himself than
to us. However, we must be pa
tent. He's passing through some
kind of a trial. With it all, he's
wonderful man, Mrs. Griswofd."
At that moment a knock sounded
on the study door. He pushed aside
the unfolded letter.
Come in" he said.
A young woman entered.
She was very slender and erect,
with clear brown eyes, a low, white
forehead over which beautiful hair
waved She wore a modest brown
suit and a plain hat. There was a
little bow at her neck
"Is this Stephen West, a member
of the Mission Board?" she asked
timidly.
10S--pTdy DO SSdICu.
The young woman took a chair
There was a short silence.
Il came to you because I could not
help it," the young woman at last
began. 81 am a teacher in one OF
the public schools, but want to-
go as a foreign missionary. I heard
you were on the Board, and so I
have come to you. It is bitterly
hard"-she fa1tered-'1the oppost-
ton, / mean. Why, my people think
I have gone out of my mind. But,
like Joan Of Arc, I, too, have heard
the heavenly voices. My Lord has
called me to go. I dare not dis
obey"
Stephen West looked at her.
you know nothing about the life
of foreign missionary" he asked.
Nothing except that I know I
must be one"
He looked at her again.
You get good salary I sup
poser"
VERY good. I've been teaching
four years now"
You have clothes enough, and
pretty ones at THAR"
The face opposite flushed.
Eyes, can dress very we'll"
"You have good food, suppose?"
Yes"
And friends?"
MANY of them," was the quick
reply.
And yet you are voluntarily leav-
ing these pleasant environments for
life you know nothing about across
the sea. My dear young friend, our
foreign missionaries are getting only
small allowance, some of them liv-
ing in habitations that are not fit for
the purpose. They fight rats, mice.
bats and other pests. Because Of
their unsanitary quarters many Of
them take fever and die. You must
think twice before you go into it,
The young woman clasped her
| hands.
Il have" she cried-"but 1 tell
you, L. Lyuld 0OTnnl1i, nave n0dru
the still small voice. Shall I prove
unfaithful? God has made me un-
derstand that this work is to be
mine. If I were twice a millionaire
instead of only a well-paid teacher
in the public school, I would not
disobey. Oh, sir, I don't know why
this lot fallen upon me- I'm only a
girl, you might say. I'm not extra
ordinarily intellectual. I'm not gift.
ed. I'm only Lydia Thornhill, teach.
er. Yet, God has made t plain
Sir, I must go. I came to you
went on the brave young voice
hoping you would understand
You are a minister. Surely you are
what you are because God has laiG
His hand, too, upon you. Did yos
not, before you were ordained, fee
that strange compelling force, out
, side yourself-you may call it wha
, you will-urging you to the minis