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Show ' v I 'Tis Better to Give He watched her as she poured the tea and sliced the Christmas pudding. The frilly curtains on the windows looked like fluffy clouds in the background. The firelight seemed seem-ed to be telling a story of life. Of the need of man for woman and woman for man, of an understanding creator who made man in his own image. Mollie interrupted his thoughts. "Here is the tea, Reverend, and some pudding." He watched her pour the tea, then she served the pudding garnished with a steaming sauce. She sat down by his side and except for the crackling of logs in the fireplace there was silence. The Reverend Greentree had never known moments like these and he wondered if it was wrong to be so content in the presence of a woman. As if reading his thoughts the widow Mollie spoke to him. "Christmas "Christ-mas is such a lovely time Reverend, but it can be a lonely time too." "Aye, Mollie," he answered, "Christmas is a time of rejoicing and also a time of forgiving. Rejoicing because a child was born in a manger, giving to the world the light of Christianity and forgiving those who trespass against us." For a moment he stared ;t fire, then he spoke to her a,? ! too know the meaning of , T1''1 and man is not a complete 2 . he is alone." He nowtf ! excitement returning and f d : moment forgot that he J? 1 i minister. He seized her handV' 1 "Oh Mome,"hesaid,--KgI am that I am a man and that I J : here with you. 4 tt ; i Soon it came time for him toW,t I and for a moment he stood silent? I the door. Then he said, "Mav U again Mollie? Not as your US? I shall be most happy Re' to have you call," she replS Then he was out on the streets homeward bound. His feet wg as bird wmgs,ln his heart was?; At his door a group of caroler, M gathered and were singing T praises of God. In the center of group was Sandy McTavishsingS to his heart s content. The Revem! Horace Greentree joined the gZ He put his arm around the Tave Keeper's shoulder and echoi around the little village were 2 strains of "Peace on earth and mri will to all men." sm (Continued from page 15) greeting with a "Thanks bandy, and the same to you," and would hav,e hurried on, but Sandy spoke again, "If ye'll excuse me Reverend, but I understand Mr. Marston is a wee bit ill and I would like to give him something to help him over Christmas. Christ-mas. Wait just a tick and I'll get it." Before the Reverend could say anything Sandy turned and hurried into the tavern. Reverend Greentree looked up and down the street like someone caught in a sin and if anyone had approached he would have hurried away. But he knew that old Brother Marston, who was a deacon in the church, would not be here to celebrate another Christmas and in his heart he felt a kindly appreciation toward the tavern keeper for his thoughtfulness. Sandy was only a minute when he returned with a basket that was covered over the top with a bit ot newspaper. "It's a wee bottle of port for the old gentleman, and Reverand, if you will forgive a sinful old man, I put a wee bottle in for you too." Reverend Horace Greentree, Pastor of a House of God, shepherd to a flock of God's children, was deeply touched. Through the Christmas Christ-mas air and into his heart came the words of He who was born in a stable. "It is more blessed to give than to receive." This man was not a church goer, yet at this moment he must be counted among those that the master spoke of when He said, "Blessed are the meek." Then strange words fell from the mouth of Reverend Greentree. "God bless you Sandy McTavish and may the blessing of heaven be upon your house through Christmas and the New Year." Then with the basket under his arm he continued down the street. "This is Christmas Eve," he said to himself, "and my heart is warm as a summer breeze because a man, a confessed sinner gave a gift in humbleness." There would be other gifts from members of his flock but this 'wee bottle of port' told the whole story of Christmas. Had he looked behind he would have seen the tavern keeper looking up to the sign of the Horse and Jockey, a serene look upon his face, for this was the first Christmas, aye, the first time in his life that a blessing had been invoked upon his house. Reverend Greentree's first stop was at Deacon Marston's. The old 1 man was sitting in front of the fire, a robe over his lap. One could tell that the angel of death had knocked upon his door. After an exchange of greetings he took the bottle of port from the basket and placed in on the table by the old man's side. "It's a Christmas gift from Sandy McTavish." Mc-Tavish." he said. The old deacon looked up at him in surprise. In eyes that spoke of death there was a firelight reflection. His voice was weak. "Reverend, I cannot take a gift from a tavern keeper. I am a deacon in your church and soon to cross over to the other side. Take it back Reverend, take it back." Reverend Greentree reached under the paper in the basket and drew out the other bottle and set it upon the table. When he spoke there was deep sincerity in his voice. "Deacon Marston, you know that I am not a drinking man, even though a drop of port will not hurt a body, neither do I consort with tavern keepers. But tonight I learned a lesson. A man confessed that he was a sinner and desired to give a gift. No one told him to, he gave it because his heart is kind, because ii is Christmas." He walked over to the deacon and placed his hand on his shoulder. "Brother Marston," he said, "Tonight, "To-night, for the first time in my ministry I found the true meaning of the parable of the lost sheep. All of my time I have spent ministering to my flock, giving no thought to those who have left the pasture and wandered away. I have forgotten that the master told me to leave the ninety and nine and go out and search for the one that is lost." The old man looked up with eyes that were moist but they were happy eyes. "Reverend," he said, "could you pour me a drop of the port, it will warm this old body." Reverend Greentree continued on his way homeward. Somehow tonight to-night his little house with hard wooden furniture held no attraction for him. He was lonely too, and Christmas Eve is not the time for man to be alone. The light in widow Mollie's window was like a lighthouse to a lonely ship and the Reverend, after hesitating for a moment, knocked on the door. When Mollie opened the door her greeting was warm and genuine, "Come in Reverend Greentree, Green-tree, it's so glad I am to see you." He stepped into the warm, comfortable room and experienced a feeling that must be akin to entering the pearly gates. The widow was wearing a frilly dress that spoke of womanhood and in the case of widow Mollie, lovely womanhood. r-- "Sit down Reverend please. I have fresh tea made and the pudding is in the pantry." |