University and church.  And this love alone inspired him to nominate a man for the vacant presidency.  And to still further gain their confidence in his unselfish judgment and love, he continued:  “Seventeen years ago, when Mr. Rixey died, I engaged a young man twenty-six years of age to work our farm.  Surely I made no mistake.  There is no better man than William Sparrow, and no better farm in the county.  Ten years ago, I made bold to nominate a man for the place made vacant by the resignation of Dr. Worth.  Did I make any mistake in that nomination?  Did you make any mistake in confirming that nomination?  And now our beloved president is retiring, full of honors and esteem, and that great and responsible place is vacant, and I confess that my past successes make me confident as I pronounce the name of a successor.  I have consulted no man, not even the man whose name I shall speak.  I do not know but he may decline the nomination, but my best judgment and unbiased conscience unite and prompt me to nominate Edward McLaren, LL.D., for presidency of Monastery University.”

This nomination did not seem to surprise anyone except the man nominated.  The thought of such an occurrence had not so much as come to him.  Several weeks before the bishop had in an incidental way intimated that he was seriously contemplating shaking off some of his responsibilities, but nothing more had been said, and Edward had forgotten the remark.  And when the bishop had presented his resignation, and it was accepted, McLaren simply concluded that this would entail extra work upon him for a month or two, until the trustees found a suitable man to fill the vacancy.  But now as he heard his name spoken, it came like an electric shock, and he sprang to his feet, exclaiming:  “O, no!  This must not be.  It cannot be!” He then moved a postponement of the election.  He said:  “It is only thirteen years since I stood in front of that old farmhouse, tired and hungry, a timid wandering youth, seeking work and bread, but more, seeking rest of soul and conscience.  The farmer and his precious wife took me in and have been to me more than brother and sister.”  Then, turning round and facing the bishop, he continued:  “And this man has been more than a father; but for him and the wife he gave me, I should not be here today.  No! no!  You have honored me too much already, and I move a postponement of this election until a future meeting of the board of trustees.”

There was not a man but what was affected by these unselfish and grateful words; but they affected the auditors in just the opposite direction from that intended—­really they insured his election.

A moment of silence followed.  Then Mr. Quintin arose and said.  “Mr. President, I hear no second to Dr. McLaren’s motion to postpone.  His words have indeed touched my heart, and in their modesty and unselfishness I see only a confirmation that I am making a wise nomination.  I am thoroughly convinced that I am commending the right man, and with all due respect to the opinion of Dr. McLaren, I now renew my nomination.”