A Chapter From the Modern Chronicles by T. H. JEYS

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 7, 1910

A Chapter From the Modern Chronicles

By T. H. JEYS

T. H. JEYS

There went forth a conference president to visit, among the churches. And as he went, it came to pass that he lighted on a place, and tarried certain days. And it came to pass, as he came to the homes of various ones, that they carefully related to him all the difficulties they had experienced, and how they were in great distress, so that there was no sorrow like unto their sorrow. Yea, they even made known unto him all the faults of all the brethren, and the wickedness that had been practised, so that for the space of several hours they poured into his ears whatsoever their souls lusted to relate; for they said, Hath he not ears to hear? let him hear.

Now, strange to say, this conference president did not take kindly to the information, but answered them roughly, and said unto them, Ye are idle, ye are idle; therefore ye cry unto me against your brethren. Go to; get ye every man unto his duty; enter the work, and ye will have no time to revile every one his brother.

Then were they in great perplexity, and said one to another, Is not the president of the conference for the purpose of hearing complaints? But others said, Told I you not how it would be? And lo, there was still division among them. But the conference president said, O that I might invent some way of getting my people to cease looking at the faults of their brethren, and to see whatsoever things are lovely and of good report; and if there be any virtue or praise, to think on these things.

And it came to pass, as he journeyed, that he lighted on a certain place where they did even so; and his soul clave unto them, and he longed to remain there many days; for he said, This seemeth a foretaste of the heavenly country.

But how he was soon called to go elsewhere to help settle some childish misunderstandings; how he wearied of his life, so that he grew anxious-eyed, and had a furtive, hunted look; how he tried to be fair and kind to all, and was in distress many times by reason of the controversies; and how he sometimes longed to run away, like Elijah of old, behold, are not all these things written in the chronicles of every conference president’s experience?

Campobello, S. C.