Christian fiction; Clergy -- Fiction; Jesus Christ -- Influence -- Fiction
"It is true. But, Virginia, what a wonderful amount of good can be
done with this money! And the saloon cannot always remain here. The
time must come when the Christian forces in the city will triumph."
Virginia paused near Rachel, and her pale, earnest face lighted up.
"I believe that too. The number of those who have promised to do as
Jesus would is increasing. If we once have, say, five hundred such
disciples in Raymond, the saloon is doomed. But now, dear, I want
you to look at your part in this plan for capturing and saving the
Rectangle. Your voice is a power. I have had many ideas lately. Here
is one of them. You could organize among the girls a Musical
Institute; give them the benefit of your training. There are some
splendid voices in the rough there. Did any one ever hear such
singing as that yesterday by those women? Rachel, what a beautiful
opportunity! You shall have the best of material in the way of
organs and orchestras that money can provide, and what cannot be
done with music to win souls there into higher and purer and better
living?"
Before Virginia had ceased speaking Rachel's face was perfectly
transformed with the thought of her life work. It flowed into her
heart and mind like a flood, and the torrent of her feeling
overflowed in tears that could not be restrained. It was what she
had dreamed of doing herself. It represented to her something that
she felt was in keeping with a right use of her talent.
"Yes," she said, as she rose and put her arm about Virginia, while
both girls in the excitement of their enthusiasm paced the hall.
"Yes, I will gladly put my life into that kind of service. I do
believe that Jesus would have me use my life in this way. Virginia,
what miracles can we not accomplish in humanity if we have such a
lever as consecrated money to move things with!"
"Add to it consecrated personal enthusiasm like yours, and it
certainly can accomplish great things," said Virginia smiling. And
before Rachel could reply, Rollin came in.
He hesitated a moment, and then was passing out of the hall into the
library when Virginia called him back and asked some questions about
his work.
Rollin came back and sat down, and together the three discussed
their future plans. Rollin was apparently entirely free from
embarrassment in Rachel's presence while Virginia was with them,
only his manner with her was almost precise, if not cold. The past
seemed to have been entirely absorbed in his wonderful conversion.
He had not forgotten it, but he seemed to be completely caught up
for this present time in the purpose of his new life. After a while
Rollin was called out, and Rachel and Virginia began to talk of
other things.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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