Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1912-06-29

A stranger attending the Oakdale
church on the Sunday morning of
which / write, might have noticed a
dimly pereeptible look of expectation
on the faces of the congregation,
which later changed to an expression
of mingled pleasure and satisfaction
as the minister read the following ne
ticei
Fer some time past 1t has been
considered by many in our church that
1t would be well for US to become more
vitality interested in foreign missions
field which offers such splendid OPP
pertunities for self -sacrifice, and serv-
Ice in the name of Him for whom our
church stands. A meeting for the con-
sideration of this matter will be held
in the near future"
AS the speaker finished reading the
notice, almost unconsciously glances
were directed toward Elizabeth Rich
mond. For 1t was well known among
her acquaintance that it had long been
her wish to take an active part in the
foreign missionary field.
0akdale was beautifully sit6aJeN
among the hills in an eastern state,
and was considered unique in many
respects. Many of the residents were
descendants of pioneers of that sec
ton; and had built up homes of which
they were justly proud, not forgetting,
in their accumulation of material
things, those qualities of character
and mind which are superior
Until about five years before the
date of the happening which this story
relates there had been no church build
ing in Oakdale the residents attending
church ia adjoining communities. Since
its organization, however, the church
had been very prosperous; and the
pastor, Rev. Mr., Rusnell, had heard
many favorable comments in regard
to the spirit of unity and harmony
| which prevailed, Hence, it was net
strange that, though the church ha0
accomplished much in the way of home
missionary work in the adjoining fac
tory towns, the minds of many should
turn also to the broader and distant
field of foreign missions.
A4C@!3 interest was manifested in the
selection of the first missionary the
church was to send out; and though
| there were a number who seemed spe-
cially fitted for the work. the thoughts
| of all seemed to turn toward Elizabeth
Richmond as the chosen one. This
| Elizabeth OWNED by the many remarks
which she heard in regard to the sub
ject and with great happiness anC
| enthusiasm she talked with her moth
| er concerning it.
You know mother, ] have always
wished to give my life to this kind o.
| work; and l believe it was you whC
| first caused me to see the wonderful
! possibilities for good in it, and it is {
! pleasure to remember how intensely
| interested father always was in for
| eign missions; and if it should be m!
| good fortune to be assigned to the
Very field where you and father wert
| those ten years before your marriage
| / should feel~that the greatest wisl
of my life were realized"
/ To Elizabeth 1t seemed strange tina
| her mother, always so sympathetic AMI
/ helpful in her plans, now resp onded il
manner lacking enthusiasm. as sh
said:
Yes, dear; I know what a wonderful
work it is; and it has always beel
very dear to your father and me; bu
there is so much work in life that j
worthy of ones best effort, that it i
i difficult at times to decide. l am yer,
anxious that you should make no mis-
take in your decision, and feel that yo1
viii be guided rightly"
As her mother quietly spoke, the fac
flashed itself into her mind that he
mother had grown thin and sad, an
there was in her face a wistfulnes
that she had not noticed before; an
thinking to herself:
oh, how have I been so blindl' sh
| unused. why. my mind has been S
fully occupied with the work hav
planned to take up that I have faile
to see that my own dear mother need
me more than anyone else in the worl
and how could | for a moment for
get fathers last words to me as hi
dear face. showing the confidence
felt in me. as he said; Take care {
mother; and l might have made tn
dreadful mistake of leaving her! Oh
she thought. how glad am that W
are led in the right way if we are oni
willing 10 listen
On the morning of the day when til
meeting for the formal choosing of
candidate was 10 be held, Elizabet
reminded her mother Of the fact, an