It must be confessed that when the barrels were opened some of the apples had a very green appearance, as though they had never been on a mission before; while others of them were blushing violently, as if greatly agitated by the responsibilities of their new vocation. Subsequent acquaintance, however, proved that these indications of weakness were wholly upon the surface, and that, with the exception of a very few who had been suffering from their long journey, the new comers were sound to the core and fully prepared for missionary service.
This service, it must be added, was one which called for nerve on the part of the missionary recruits in proportion to their realizing sense of what they were coming to. Many times companies of two hundred each were summoned from the barrels and placed in long picket lines around the edges of a dozen large dining tables, one standing guard at each plate. But scarcely had this been done when two hundred hungry boys and girls and missionary teachers appeared upon the scene, and, after bestowing upon the red and green sentinels many a complacent smile through a long meal of meat and vegetables, finally attacked them with six thousand (more or less) sharp ivory weapons, and subjected them to that fate which other missionaries are said to have suffered among the Cannibal Islands. Others, after being flayed, drawn and quartered, were placed in boiling cauldrons, and their indistinguishable remains were afterwards served up on the same tables in sauce dishes or concealed under the crust of pies.
Yet these missionaries of Pomona uttered no complaint, but met their fate with a calmness that was beautiful to behold. All honor to the forty thousand! What a host it was! If taken to the capital of their native state and strung together, they would have made a festoon stretching from the State house dome to the apex of Bunker Hill monument! Many, many thanks to our generous friends.
All of us.
Twenty-eight New Disciples.
MISS JULIA GOODWIN, ATLANTA.
“Sweet day, so cool, so calm, so clear!
Bridal of earth and sky.”
These beautiful lines of the sainted Herbert well describe that bright day in March, a day in which to breathe its delicious air was a luxury; a day in which our hearts were lifted up in unison with all things in Nature; a day long to be remembered as a golden one in the history of this band of Christ’s followers.
As we entered the audience room, going from the clear sunshine without into the subdued light of the sanctuary, we found it filled to its utmost capacity, and over all seemed to reign a holy calm. Before the altar sat thirty who waited to be made one with this fold, (twenty-eight by profession, two by letter). Waiting to welcome these and to assist in the sacred rites of the hour were Rev. Messrs. Hawley, Francis, and Beaman, and Dr. Roy. After the singing of hymns, reading of Scripture and prayer, and the pastor had spoken fitting words of welcome, admonition and encouragement, those who had not already received the rite, one after another, kneeled before the altar for baptism. The hush of solemn stillness added to the impressiveness of the simple ceremony. Then in the freshness of their love the twenty-eight new disciples stood and took the vows of God upon them, while Christian hearts rejoiced; and may we not believe that angels bent to hear, and carry the news to Heaven of young hearts renouncing the world and pledging allegiance to the King of kings? God grant that each one may be found “faithful unto death.”