you can drink the water of life in abundance, and feed upon angels'
food. O, come, Mr. World," she added as she spoke more earnestly,
"linger no longer, carry out the resolution which you have already
broken repeatedly, and you will never regret so wise an action." Thus
did Miss Church-Member urge upon him a course which, in her inimitable
missionary spirit, she made really attractive to him. Although he
appreciated her genuine earnestness, yet he could not be induced to
heed her words.
"You have covered the whole field of my intention," he courteously
replied. "I sincerely wish to mend my ways, but there are certain
things I must first overcome. How much better I could do this if one
like you, in whom I have supreme confidence, would but journey at my
side. Will you not do the work of a good missionary and, like Christ,
adapt yourself to my level, that I may, by your uplifting influence,
be drawn into a nobler life, and even have your companionship as I go
up to the Highway of your King?"
Miss Church-Member, being of a sympathetic nature and of strong
missionary proclivities, refused to heed her many counselors who feared
for her safety, and actually stepped still farther from her wonted
path and journeyed at the side of Mr. World with the desire to compass
his conversion. But her conscience, at first, troubled her and her
feet moved with a suspicious tread.
In this nervous, half confiding and half shrinking mood, she leaned
lightly upon his arm, ever turning a deaf ear to the entreaties of her
well-meaning friends who still hoped to dissuade her from this
ill-advised course.
Mr. World was keenly delighted at her concession and loyalty to him.
He seemed to be willing to go to any sacrifice that might add to her
comfort or increase her happiness. His many companions could readily
see that Miss Church-Member felt "out of place." But she justified her
own course by what she was aiming to do.
He saw that her dress of righteousness was in wide contrast with the
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