Weekly journal-miner., 1915-12-29

| N-'~N' W Aei HhA~h AAAONNAAlNAll VI hitN hand the gambler stopped the whir ring ball in its circular course. The unusual action caused the players, in tent upon the fortunes of the game to look up inquiringly and upon see ing The Parson to remove their hats Smiths keen eye was quick to note the stir near the entrance and to sec The Parson standing there.
 Cash in your chips, boys" he shouted, "the games arc closed and The Parson is in charge of the place The order was obcyed without com ment. Coverings were quickly spread over the gambling devices, and the bartenders as quickly snrouded the bar with long strip of white sheet ing.
 Joe Simmons, night manager Of the resort, stepped hastily to the clergy mans side and escorted him through the ranks of sin-calloused men and debased women to the place where Smith stood. Every head was barred and bowed in reverence as the good man, clad in the vestments of his holy calling, passed slowly along toward thc far end of the long room The roulette table, but few minutes be- fore glittering with gold, was utilized as a rostrum; and, standing thereon, confronted by a throng to whose lips the name of God was stranger save as curse, The Parson told the beau tiful story of the Nativity.
 ''I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live"
 The voice of the minister, vibrant with the fervor of the divine promise he bore, rang like challenge in that place of iniquity. He looked like an army with banners, as militant and forceful, he voiced the command for righteous living laid down by the Cnieftain in whose service he labored.
 The journey of the Saviour from the manager to the cross was depicted in simple language suited to the needs of his auditors, and with an earnestness which must have received its inspiration from other than a finite source. And who is there dare say that the precious promise of sin forgiven, there spoken, did not carry as sweet hope to the motley con gregation that faced him, as to better nurtured congregations throughout the world on that star -gemmed Christ mas night of twenty odd years ago.
 In closing, The Parson bent little forward and extending his arms to- ward the rough men and women stand ing in awed silence about him, invok- cd the blessing of the Almighty upon their bowed heads.
 "May the peace of mind which pas seth all understanding, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost be among you and abide with you always
 As the low-voiccd "Amen' passed the preachers lips, a Magdalene step ped apart from her sisters, and, trife uncertainty at first, lifted her voice in song.
 Abide with me; fast falls the even
 tide;
 "It is not night, if Thou, dear Lord.
 abide"
 Clear and resonant, the contralto notes, tremulous with a pathetic pleading which constrictcd the listen CTS tnroats, welled from the singers lips in flood Of passionate ycarning.
 Abide with me, dear Lord, abide
 with me;
 "Oh Thou who changcth not, abide
 with inc"
 The song ended, and in the tense silence which followed, the stressed breathing of deeply moved men and women merged in a tremulous sigh that pcrvadcd the place like whis | pered prayer.
 Slowly, with shoulders bowed as though weighted with rhc guilt of those about him, The Parson wcnded . iis way to the door and stepped forth 1 nto the glory of the night
 An uneasy shufling of feet relieved | he nervous strain as the door swung shut on The Parsons retreating form | Boys" said Smith, in tones in which embarrassment and banter struggled for supremacy, "we'rc all on ,ur knees at the mourners' bench to- right The Parson has started some hing a-stirring in my heart l thought had thrown into the discard of my ,oyhood days back in old St. Louis. Us been a long time, so 10 speak, incc I took a hand in q religious meeting; but as I-brusn the cobwebs rom memory the fact stands out learIy in my mind that one very i'm ,ortaut feature of all church services