She tried her level best to rest on the firm conviction the work was not hers, and then to consider how she was to make good her promise to find some one who would feel called to do it.
Would it be any good to appeal to the church? She shrank from that, remembering her late experience.
What could she do! Did God intend to convince her the call was hers by making it impossible for her to find a substitute?
All at once she remembered a committee had recently been formed in the town consisting of representatives from various bodies, to attend to certain social and religious wants of the district—the very thing needed! The first thing she would do when morning light appeared, would be to write to that committee, and with that restful thought she fell asleep.
The letter was written and posted directly after breakfast, but not a word to Nanna did she say about it. What a delight it would be when she could all at once announce the fact that this important committee had received her suggestion with grateful thanks and were commencing work at once!
This said committee happened to meet on the following day. Stephen Collins was a member of it. Mr. Bell, Bessie's superintendent, was the honorary secretary.
Phebe's letter was the first to be read when the item "Correspondence" on the agenda was reached.
In a very pompous voice the letter was read aloud. It had taken the writer more than half-an-hour to frame, but it did not take many seconds to read. This is a copy of it:
"Dear Sirs,
"My attention has lately been drawn to the sad state of matters among the men working at the railway-works at ——, especially on Sundays. I believe the use of a shed could be obtained if workers could be found to conduct a service there. I need hardly say that for such men it would need to be a bright one, and conducted on as fresh lines as possible. It is four miles from Hadley, not too far for a strong man to walk. If you would take up this work, I am sure it would be fulfilling the object for which you were called together, and would bring honour to God. It seems certainly very discreditable to the Christians of this town that no hand has yet been stretched out to help these men. Will you not retrieve our good name? If I can be of any assistance or give any suggestions, I shall only be too happy to do so.
"Yours, in Christian service,
"Phebe Waring."
"There are your marching orders, gentlemen, and a captain ready provided for you," said the honorary secretary sarcastically.