Chapter 17
Max waited in Dr. Turner’s office the next morning, wondering how he might explain all the matters that were on his heart. Uppermost on his mind was the fact that he and Evie were in love, but when the older man entered the office, the conversation went an entirely different direction.
“Good morning, Maxwell. Did you sleep well?”
“I slept well enough. It’s sometimes difficult to find a comfortable position.
I cannot lie on the burned area, nor put pressure on my collarbone.
If I roll to the opposite side of the burn and break, then my arm wants to fall forward and pull on the shoulder and it stretches the skin, so I find I’m better off being propped up in a position that almost has me sitting in bed. It’s not easy.”
“I imagine not. Do you have someone to help you?”
“No, I’m afraid I don’t. I know it was probably not the best decision to return to that empty house without someone to at least cook meals.”
“How did you get here this morning without a driver?”
“I walked. It’s less than a mile.”
Dr. Turner frowned. “I have more than enough staff. I’ll send a couple people over to help you for a time.” He rang for one of the servants, and the housekeeper appeared.
“Mrs. Arbarca, Mr. Garrison has recently moved from his parents’ house to a home of his own.
He has no staff. Would you speak with Mrs. Niedermeier and Mr. Humphry and put together two or three people who would be willing to go to his house to help him until he can interview and hire his own staff?
He’ll need someone who can cook and clean and perhaps a strong man who can assist him with dressing and bathing until his collarbone heals.
Someone who could drive him around as well.
It will be a while before he can ride a horse again. ”
“Of course, Dr. Turner. I’ll see to it immediately. Will there be anything else?”
“No. Arranging this will be more than enough. We need there to be a staff in place by this afternoon.” Dr. Turner waited until she departed before continuing. “At least this way you’ll have some temporary help. It’s imperative that you not do anything to slow your healing.”
“Thank you. I’m quite grateful. I’ve been remiss in arranging my life, to be sure.” Max shifted uncomfortably, knowing that he had far more important matters to discuss.
“It’s no problem. We have more than enough people around here who can lend a hand. I’m sure, too, if you speak with Mrs. Turner, she can help you hire a permanent staff. She knows all the particulars and has a sense about these things that will keep you safe from irresponsible people.”
“I will do that. Thank you for the suggestion.”
“Now, I want to get right to work discussing the school for the farms. The distance from the farms to local schools is just too prohibitive. It would require a lengthy wagon ride each way, and I cannot see it being reasonable. After much consideration, we hit upon forming our own little schools. The farms will actually be set up in such a way that in time it might be possible for them to form their own town and purchase the land back from the charity. One farm to the far north has become its own community, and there’s no reason the other two might not do likewise.
The charity benefits in the long run with the sale of the improved properties, and the people benefit because they’re able to pull themselves up out of a failed economic situation to create something they can be proud of.
It’s my hope that perhaps these two new farms will be able to produce the same results. ”
“I think it’s brilliant to teach self-sustainability.
Sometimes all people need is a chance to learn and do for themselves.
I know there are those who feel that they are better off living a life of crime and deceit, but I tend to believe that when given a chance to better themselves, most will choose that instead. ”
“I do too, which is why I’ve always had a heart for helping the less fortunate.
It’s been my experience that when you treat people with respect, they tend to return it.
There are always those who are cruel and abusive and care nothing for doing good, but I don’t give up in trying to reach even them.
Now tell me, have you given consideration to what might be needed for a school? ”
“I have.” Max rubbed his arm. “Do I presume correctly that at least in the beginning you’ll build one building for all community gatherings? Church, school, perhaps even eating together?”
“Yes, that is the idea. Those buildings are already being completed on each of the farms. They are positioned to serve as a sort of headquarters for community issues and coming together. We’ve portioned off this building with two large rooms and a smaller one, the latter to be used as the kitchen.
Our plan is to have communal meals until everyone has their own homes and can cook for themselves, but that will probably take a little time.
Eventually the only meals offered will be for bachelors who won’t have a full house to themselves.
They can pay a monthly fee for room and board and have their meals provided. ”
“Boarding house fashion,” Max replied, nodding.
“Exactly.” Dr. Turner continued, “One of the large rooms of the community building will be set up with tables and chairs. School and meals will be conducted here. The other large room will set up for business and church services.”
“I like the idea of using tables and chairs instead of desks,” Max said. “I once attended a boarding school where it was arranged that way. It made things seem more unified.”
“I agree. This will also make it easier to share books and other supplies. We have no way of knowing just yet how many children will be at each school, but we must be prepared to offer classes for all. Do you feel capable of that?”
“I do. As I mentioned, I tutored a variety of ages when I was in college. I believe I can lend aid to any grade. Do we have primers available for the little ones?”
“A crateful was donated last year to be shared with some of the poor. We also have a variety of textbooks, and the Bible will of course be taught. Are you comfortable with that?”
Max straightened at this. His shoulder and collarbone were most uncomfortable, but he hid his discomfort.
“I’ve been on a rather strange journey where spiritual matters are concerned.
When I was facing my own death, I prayed.
I wasn’t even sure I was doing it correctly, but nevertheless, God answered my prayer and delivered me to safety.
I suppose now I’m wondering what comes next. ”
Dr. Turner smiled and eased back in his leather chair. “Max, did you have any religious upbringing?”
“There was Sunday chapel at boarding school, but it was little more than a stern-faced minister telling us we were all bound for hell because of our sinful natures. I remember being told that it was nearly impossible for the rich to enter heaven, and so knowing my family to be so, I suppose I gave up on the idea of salvation.”
“That’s truly sad, Max. You were left with just enough information to feel hopeless.
I can tell you from my own knowledge of the Bible that there is so much more.
It is hard for a rich man to enter heaven, mainly because he chooses to make it that way.
He worships his wealth and possessions rather than turning to God.
“And your minister was correct in saying that our sinful natures have us bound for hell, but he failed to give you the answer for rectifying that situation—salvation through Jesus, which is available to all. The Bible tells us that we are saved by grace through faith in God. God sent His Son Jesus as the only way to be reconciled to Him. Jesus calls us to believe and follow Him, and we will be saved.”
“Is there something special I need to do?” Max was grateful that Dr. Turner handled the matter without any sense of condemnation.
He already had a sense of something missing and a need for something more.
If Evie’s father had treated him badly for not having already known about such spiritual matters, Max wasn’t sure what he might have done.
“Again, the Bible tells us in John chapter three, ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ But this is a life-changing manner of belief. It’s not just a matter of believing that God exists.
The Bible also tells us that even the demons believe there is one God and tremble.
It doesn’t save them from their sins, however, because the kind of believing that is required of man is a deeper belief that Jesus is the only way, truth, and life. That without Him we cannot be saved.”
“So believing that Jesus is the only means of reconciliation to God the Father is how one is saved?”
Dr. Turner met Max’s gaze. “Yes. Salvation begins and ends with Christ. There are other things that will become evident once you’ve committed to Him.
You’ll want to act in obedience and be baptized, partake of communion, read your Bible, and pray.
You’ll begin to recognize a change in your spirit.
As you grow more knowledgeable about God and His desires for mankind, you will find your life changing.
Your choices will be made with consideration of what God wants rather than what you want.
And you’ll enjoy a peace of mind, heart, and spirit that you’ve never known before. ”
Max couldn’t imagine anything better. Why had the stern-faced old minister never told that roomful of lonely boys about this redemption? “I most assuredly want this for myself. There are so many times when I am nearly brought to my knees by the sense of emptiness within.”