Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-12-20
AN OBJECT LESSON.


The Rev. Theddeus Morrison was
troubled At first he had been able to
interest the young people of his par
ish and they had attended his early
evening service in large numbers, but
Of late the attendance had been de-
creasing.
"I do not understand It," he said.
His fair young parishioner blushed
and hesitated.
"The nursery" she suggested at
last.
Now, the nursery was an innova
tion upon which the young preacher
pr1ded himself. In order that devout
women, who otherwise might be kept
at home, could attend church, be had
set apart room where their babies
might be left in charge of volunteer
nurses from the Sunday school. OF
course, the idea was not original with
him, but he was the first to introduce
It in this particular parish, and he
was hurt by the reflection that seemed
to underlie the words just spoken.
"In such a parish as this" he pro-
tested, "that seems to me little short
Of an inspiration"
Again the fair young parishioner
blushed.
"Will you put yourself in the place
of an impressionable young man who
has come to church because-well, be-.
cause someone wanted him to?" she
asked.
with pleasure" he replied.
"Very WELL" she said. Here we
are. We have strolled here slowly
through the side streets, have been
holding your arm"--here she laid her
hand gently on the Rev. Thaddeus
Morrison's arm and looked shyly up
into his face-"and we have been talk.
ing-softly, sentimentally It has been
a sort of dream love without the spo
ken word. You know what such
dreams are like?"
"Ye.yes!" answered the youns
preacher drawing in long breath.
"All peace and beauty and senti
ment-a soothing mental panorama
of perpetual bliss" went on the fair
young parishioner, "and the service
and the sermon do not in the least in.
terfere with the dream. Indeed, they
rather lead you on, and still further
soften and idealize the picture. That's
why lovers like thechurch; they donot
come to make love, but the tranquil,
devout atmosphere of the church
helps to create love. So you continue
your dream you are in love--with me;
and know it,"
Again she looked at him, and he did
not seem to be in the least disposed
10 hurry her. g
Now, remember, you are in love-"
she cautioned. "You won't in the least
appreciate the point unless you enter
heartily into the spirit of the affair.
Are You in the right mood?"
81 am" he faltered, And this was
not even white lie, either.
"You have decided to tell me on the
way home, and l know it--a girl al.
ways knows that--and I encourage
you by holding your arm little tight.
er and seeming to resign trustingly to
you. You know how itis?"
81 do-now," the preacher admitted.
very well, then; we will now 60"
Thus they passed up the aisle and
through the door into the veslibule,
from which opened a little anteroom--.
the nursery. Instantly the scene, the
whole atmosphere changed. Three ba.
bies were squalllng In rivalry, others
were creating trouble in various ways
several mothers were scolding, one
distracted woman was weeping, and
the pandemonium relgned generally
How about that dream noww
ut is gonei" he sighed.
"And, knowing II, am l to blame II
| lose interest In the Sunday evening
serylce?" she inquired.
I'm have the nursery changed" he
said. "lll have II secluded, and
then" n
XWell"
"'we--wo might try this over again
just to see II the conditions arc
right, you know"
"But thlnkl" she cautioned. Sup.
pose they should happen to be rightp
Ell believe l. am quite ready to
run TINT ripk." ho answered,