man, a constant visitor at Mrs. Lasette’s.  Rumor says that Mrs. Lasette’s bright-eyed and lovely daughter is the magnet which attracts him to their pleasant home.  Rev. Lomax has also been absent for several years on other charges, but when he meets Mr. Thomas, the past flows back and the incidents of their latest interviews naturally take their place in the conversation.  “It has been some time since we met,” said Mr. Thomas, heartily shaking the minister’s hand.

“How has life used you since last we met?” said Rev. Lomax to Mr. Thomas.  “Are you well?”

“Perfectly well, I have had a varied experience since I met you, but I have no reason to complain, and I think my experience has been invaluable to me, and with this larger experience and closer observation, I feel that I am more able to help others, and that, I feel, has been one of my most valued acquirements.  I sometimes think of members of our people in some directions as sheep without a shepherd, and I do wish from the bottom of my heart that I knew the best way to help them.”

“You do not,” said the minister, somewhat anxiously, “ignore the power of the pulpit.”

“No, I do not; I only wish it had tenfold force.  I wish we had ten thousand ministers like Oberlin who was not ashamed to take the lead in opening a road from Bande Roche to Strasburgh, a distance of several miles to bring his parishioners in contact with the trade and business of a neighboring village.  I hope the time will come when every minister in building a church which he consecrates to the worship of God will build alongside of it or under the same roof, parish buildings or rooms to be dedicated to the special wants of our people in their peculiar condition.”

“I do wish, Brother Lomax, those costly buildings which you erect will cover more needs and wants of our people than some of them do now.”

“What would you have in them?”

“I would have a parish building to every church, and I would have in them an evening home for boys.  I would have some persons come in and teach them different handicrafts, so as at least to give them an opportunity to be more expert in learning how to use their hands.  I would have that building a well warmed and well lighted room in winter, where all should be welcome to come and get a sandwich and a warm cup of tea or coffee and a hot bowl of soup, and if the grogshops were selling liquor for five cents, I would sell the soup for three or four cents, with a roll.  I would have a room reserved for such ladies as Mrs. Lasette, who are so willing to help, for the purpose of holding mother’s meetings.  I would try to have the church the great centre of moral, spiritual and intellectual life for the young, and try to present counter attractions to the debasing influence of the low grogshops, gambling dens and houses of ill fame.”