That Printer of Udell's: A Story of the Middle WestWright, Harold Bell
General
That Printer of Udell's: A Story of the Middle West
Wright, Harold Bell
Christian fiction; Middle West -- Fiction; Printers -- Fiction; Young men -- Fiction
Then turning to Christians, he reviewed the grand work that the church
had done in the past, in moulding the lives of men and nations; and
plead that she prove true to the past by rising to the present and
meeting the problems of to-day. He called upon them in the name of
their common Master, to put their minds to this question and to rest
not from their study until a practical solution had been found. He
urged, too, that those standing outside the church with idle hands,
content to criticize and condemn, were not doing even so much as the
institution with which they refused to stand identified. "I can see
no difference," he said, "and before God, I believe there is none,
between an idle church member and a do-nothing man of the world. They
both stand on the same plane, and that plane is the plane of death."
Then, after an earnest appeal that the teaching of Jesus be applied,
that the worth of souls be judged by the price paid on Calvary, and
that all men, within and without the church, unite for the common
cause, humanity; he turned suddenly to the chairman and said: "Mr.
President, because of these things regarding the church, which all men
know to be true; because of these things regarding our city, which all
men know to be true; for the sake of Christ and His gospel, for the
sake of our country and our laws, for the love of our boys and girls,
I suggest that each society in this union appoint a committee of three
from their membership, each of these committees to add to itself one
good business man who believes in the teaching of Christ, but who is
not connected with any church; the joint committee to meet in council
for the purpose of formulating some plan to meet the needs of this
city along the lines of our subject this evening."
At this strange and unexpected ending of Cameron's address, the audience
sat astonished. Then, from all over the house, voices were heard
murmuring approval of the plan.
Rev. Jeremiah Wilks was the first to speak. "I'm heartily in favor of
the suggestion," he said. "I think it's a good thing. It will get some
of our moneyed men interested in the church and it will do them good.
I've often told our people that something like this ought to be done,
and I know the preachers of the city will be glad to take hold of the
matter and help to push it along. I'll bring it before our Ministerial
Association. You can count on me every time."
"But, Mr. President," said a strange gentleman, when Rev. Wilks had
resumed his seat, "Is it the idea of the gentleman who suggests this
plan, that the movement be under the control of or managed by the
ministers?"
A painful hush fell over the audience. The president turned to Cameron,
who answered, "It is certainly _not_ my idea that this matter be placed
in the hands of the ministers; whatever part they have in the movement
must be simply as Christian citizens of this community, without regard
to their profession."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account