Four Girls at Chautauqua Part 25

"So far as the impression made on me was concerned, it was the same as though he had said: 'Do you understand what an idiot you have been not to take that cardinal point into consideration at all? Open your Bible and read, and see how like a weak-minded babe you are.'"

Beside her lay a Bible just dropped by some one who had been called out.

Following out the impulse of the moment she turned to the reference, and her clear voice gave it distinctly:

"If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of G.o.d or whether I speak of myself."

The effect of this simple, straightforward and reasonable proposition, on sounding back to her spoken by her own voice, was tremendous. Very little more of the talk did she hear. A thrust, from G.o.d's own sword had reached her. What a fool she had been! What right had she to presume to give an opinion before applying the test? Had not the most common-place statements a right to be tried by their own tests? Yet she had never given this simple direction a thought.

So this was the Bible promise? "He _shall_ know." Not that these things are so, but a more logical, more satisfactory statement to the natural heart. He shall judge for himself whether these things be so; follow the directions, and then judge by your experiences after that whether these things be true or false. Could anything be more reasonable?

"I shall never dare to say that I don't believe the Bible again, for fear some one will ask me whether I have applied the test, and if I have not what business have I to judge. That man now, if I should come in contact with him, which I shall endeavor not to do, would be sure to ask me. He has almost the same as asked it now, before all these people. He has a mysterious way of making me feel as though he was talking for my confusion and for n.o.body else."

This Marion told to herself as she eyed the leader, half sullenly. He had strangely disturbed her logic and set her refuge in ruins.

"Let's go," she said suddenly to Eurie. "I am tired of this; I have had enough, and more than enough." But the hour was over, and she had had all that was to be secured from that source.

All the younger portion of the congregation seemed to be rus.h.i.+ng back up the hill again, and inquiry developed the fact that Mrs. Clark was to meet the primary workers in the large tent. It was wonderful how many people chose to consider themselves primary workers? At least they rushed to this meeting, a great army of them, as though their one object in life, was to learn how successfully to teach the little ones. Our girls all met together in the tent. Ruth and Flossy had finished their preparations, but had concluded to wait until afternoon service.

"I declare if _you_ are not armed with a pencil and paper. Have you been seized with a mania for taking notes?" This Eurie said to Ruth. "Now I'm going to get out _my_ note book too. Here is a card--it will hold all I care to write I dare say. Let me see, who knows but I shall go to teaching in Sabbath-school one of these days! I am going to make a list of the things which according to Mrs. Clark, we shall need."

True to her new fancy, she scribbled industriously during the session, and showed her card with glee as they left the tent.

"I've a complete list," she said. "If any of you go into the business I can supply you with the names of the necessary tools. Look!

"A blackboard.

"A picture roll.

"A punch!

"Cards.

"Brains!

"Blank book.

"Children.

"More brains!

"That last item," she said, reflectively, "is the hardest to find. I had no idea so much of that material was necessary. Now let me see what is on your papers." This even Marion stoutly resisted. And Flossy quietly hid hers in her pocket, saying with a smile:

"Mine is simply a list of things needful for such work."

If she had shown her paper it would have astonished Eurie, and it might have done her good. This was what she had written:

"What I need in order to be a successful teacher.

"Such a forgetfulness of self as shall lead me to think only of the little ones and their needs.

"Such a love for Christ as shall lead me to long after every little soul to lead it to him."

As for Marion her paper contained simply this sentence, carefully written out in German text as if she had deliberated over each letter;

"If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of G.o.d."

They went in a body to hear Dr. Hatfield.

"I want that lecture," Marion said, "'Perils of the Hour.' I'm very anxious to know what my peril is. I know just what is hovering over every one of you, but I can't quite make up my mind as to my own state.

Perhaps the distinguished gentleman can help me."

And he did. He had selected for one of the perils that which was embodied in the following ringing sentence:

"The third peril is the prevelancy of skepticism. A cla.s.s of scientists have discovered that there is no G.o.d! What the fool said in his _heart_ they proclaimed on the house-top!"

Eurie looked over at her, smiling and mischievous, and said in anything but a softly whisper, "That means you, my dear."

But Marion did not hear her; she was absorbed in the intense scathing sentences that followed. Of one thing she presently felt a.s.sured, that whoever was right or whoever was wrong in this matter, Dr. Hatfield believed with all the intensity of an intense educated intellect that G.o.d ruled. Was it probable that he had met the condition, done his will, and so _knew_ of the doctrine? That was an hour to be remembered. Eurie ceased to whisper or to frolic; there was too much intensity, about the speaker's manner not to claim her attention. She listened as she was not in the habit of listening. She could give you a detailed account even now of that hour of thought; so could I, and I am awfully tempted; but, you see, it is only Tuesday, and the girls have six more days to spend at Chautauqua.

Both Ruth and Flossy got their crumb to think over. They discussed it at the hotel that evening.

"I tell you, Flossy, if Dr. Hatfield is correct you and I have tremendous changes to make in our way of spending the Sabbath; and I have actually prided myself on the way in which I respected the day!"

And Ruth laughed as if that were so strange a thought, now that it was hardly possible to think that she could have entertained it.

"I know," Flossy said; "and he can not but be right, for he proved his position. I am glad I heard that address. But for him, I know I should never have thought of my influence in some places where I now see I can use it. Ruth you will be struck with one thing. Now, Chautauqua is like what Madame C's school might have been, so far as study is concerned.

Every day I have a new lesson, one that startles me so! I feel that there must be some mistake, or I would have heard of or thought of some of these things before. And yet they sound so reasonable when you come to think them over, that presently I am surprised that I have not felt them before. Ruthie, do you think Eurie and Marion have any interest at all?"

"No," said Ruth, positively, "I know Marion hasn't. It was only the other evening that she talked more wildly if anything than before."

About this time Marion, alone in her tent, said again, as she had said a dozen times during the last few days: "If I _only knew_!" And this time she added, "If I only knew _how_ to know!"

CHAPTER XXV.

SERMONS IN CHALK.

Now, see here, Marion Wilbur, wake up and give me your attention. I want to make a speech; I've caught the infection. It's queer in a place where there is so much speech-making done that I can't have a chance to express my views."

"I'm all attention," Marion answered, turning on her pillow, and giving Eurie a sleepy stare. "What has moved you to be eloquent? Give me the subject."

"The subject is the reflex influence of preaching! It may have different effects on different natures. Its effect on mine has been marked enough. I'm thoroughly surfeited. I don't want to hear another sermon while I am here, and I don't _mean_ to. They are all sermons. The subject may be scientific, literary or artistic, and it amounts to the same thing; they contrive to row around to the same spot from whatever point they start. Now, I came here for fun, and I'm being literally cheated out of it. So the application of my remark is, I've learned since I have been here always to have an application to everything, and this time it is that I won't go any more. I've studied the programme carefully, and I have selected just what I am going to do. That Mrs.

Knox has a reception this morning. I've heard about her before; she is awfully in earnest, and awfully good. Oh, I haven't the least doubt of it; but, you see, I don't want to be good, nor to have such an uncomfortable amount of goodness about me."

"She is said to be one of the most successful Sabbath-school teachers here; and I heard a gentleman say last night that her primary cla.s.s was a regular training school for young ladies in Christian work. You know she has ever so many teachers under her."