Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1910-05-05

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l realized that I was but the voice,
but could they be made to forget the
speaker,-her youth.-her sex. and
hear and receive only the message.
Then there came to me with sweet
ness unspeakable. the realization that
God was near me, that he had prom
Used that his Word should not return
unto him void, that must absolutely
forget myself and remember only the
need and the promise Of divine help
and guidance.
cannot give in detail the story Of
what followed. For two hours, !
talked to an audience that listened,
first with smiling interest, then with
breathless attention. and later with
tears. as another voice, more far-reach-
ing then mine. spoke clearly to sleep
ing consciences and touched hearts
that had been growing calloused and
hardened through reckless living. One
Of the most impressive moments was
at the close Of the meeting when some
Of the boys dropped their heads on
the seats in front Of them and audible
sobbing could be heard amid the other
wise almost painful silence. was
told afterwards, through the letter
written by a student to his mother In
distant city, that they had all come
armed with whistles and at q given
signal were going to whistle me down.
But the signal was not given, and at
the close Of the service they rose In
body and asked me to come again.
I met them again and again, and .
very close bond of comradeship was
formed between our hearts. Letters
reached me from parents all over the
land. thanking me for the good news
their sons had written home Of
changed hearts and new lives. some
times smiled as / read these letters,
and wondered whether the mothers
realized how young was the one to
whom they were pouring out their
heart desires and feelings towards
those boys whom I had been led In
so strange way to influence.
One night when / had managed to
get them all shut out of the saloons
by keeping them in my meeting with
a promise not to look at their watches
until after closing hours, they came
in body under my window and SER
enaded me for an hour. The student
body Of Sweden had taken the prize in
the whole Of Europe as the best sing
ers and were renowned for their won
derful singing. The newspapers the
next day, commenting upon my SER
enade, said that 1t was an honor which
had never been accorded to any one
in Sweden save the members Of the
royal family; that Is, by the whole
body Of student singers. AS / sat at
my window in the moonlight looking
down on those upturned faces and
listening to the wondrous harmony Of
the brilliant manly voices, appreciat-
ed to the full their loyal chivalry.
They sang no foolish love songs, they
chose only themes of patriotism, valor,
noble deeds and purposes. There had
never entered into their relationship
with me any thought or word, look
or action. that could have embarrassed
me. Before they formed in ranks and
marched singing away, one chosen
spokesman stepped forward and\ ad-
dressed me, and in the name Of the
student body thanked me for coming
to them, and for the straight, faith
full message ! had brought. He as
sured me that they would be better
men, purer in living, truer to the
ideals of their home and mothers as
a result of these meetings. He added
that they hoped would return and
work with them; that II would,
should be known as Miss Charles
worth Of Upsala," and that they would
make me their chaplain and promise
to attend in full force every service
| should hold for them. knew, how.
ever, that that was an impossibility.
My marriage, and my call to this dear
land of my adoption were not many
months away, and my adieu to Upsala
would be good-by forever and that
good.by must soon be spoken.
When the day Of farewell came, the
students swOoped down in full force
upon the depot. There was rule that
only those holding tickets would be
allowed within the gates. Unceremon-
Iously, they bowled over the officials
and crowded the depot, blocking every
available space around my train. l
walked through a little lane opened
up in their midst for me to pass in.
When l was at the car window, they
raised their voices in farewell song,
while someone stopped and lifted up
a tiny golden-haired boy with blue
eyes and flowing curls, who presented
me with my bunch Of white roses tied
with the colors Of the university.
/ had come back to the starting
point of my reverie. picked up the
letter again and read: II am sure you
will remember because you are such a
lover of flowers, but do you recall the
Vittla hov who gave them to you?