The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-08-09
THE GOOD MINISTER.
A TRUE STORY.

" l. y
by the name of White and Hager, liv-
ed on the opposite side of beautiful
little pond that was full of pickeral.----
White was rich farmer, and lived in a
two story house; Hagar was poor day
laborer, with several small children,
and lived in a little log hut on the very
brink of the pond. Both were men,
bers of the church.
On a cold Sabbath morning in JAN
uary, farmer White started at an early
hour for church, and, it being nearer,
instead of going by the road, he but
crossed the pond upon the ice. But
how was he mortified to find his broth
er Hagar upon it, fishing. Fishing on
the holy Sabbath! He approached him
at once, and with stern voice, and a
feeling of deeply offended piety, repri-
manded him for his great wickedness.
Elager attempted to reply, but White
would not hear him. Hager said he
had a good excuse, and that his broth
er White would not only forgive, but
even justify him, if he would only con-
sent to hear. But no, no----he would
lay the matter before the church, was
the only reply.
Accordingly, as soon as meeting was
over, he accompanied parson p. short
distance on the road, and related to him
the great wickedness he had witnessed
in Eager, in the morning. Parson P.
though of mild and amiable temper,
felt as though Hager ought to be bro't
to Judgment and made an example of.
Accordingly, the first time he met him
the subject was broached with all due
form and gravity, as in days of yore,
was customary in cases Of such hem
Gus offences.
The story of farmer White was re-
peated, and parson asked if it was true.
Hager replied in the affirmative, stat
ing also the fact that brother White
refused to hear an explanation, which
he desired to give, and which he now
proposed to state. SWELL" said the
parson mildly, "what is itw "Why,"
said Hager, II worked for Mr.. B. till
late on Saturday night and expected
to get something to last my family over
at Mr.. G's store on my way
home. But it was shut up and | got
We had nothing but few po-
tatoes in the house, and told Mrs. Ha-
ger that | would 60 out on the pond
and catch three pickerel. She made
no answer. And accordingly, in the
just as had cut a hole in the
ice. and put my hook in the water,
brother White came along, and repre-
manded me as he told you. | thought
was doing right. 1 was but Il few rods
from my house, and | knew not where
else to 60 for dinner. | was very
thankful when the first fish bit. | kept
my mind meditating on religious truths
all the time. and just as soon as had
the three wanted. went home. |
was so thankful when we came to the
table, that we had been provided with |
something to eat. We went to church
N the afternoon, and don't think we
lid wrong. What else could a poor
nan do, who had nothing for his wife
md children to eat for the day, but a
handful Of poor potatoes?" The par
son gave him some good advice and
and they parted.
In the course of few days. he met
armer White, who asked him, straight
way, if he had seen Hager. eyes,.
vas the reply. ''What did he say?'----
The parson related to him Hager's sto-
y, and then said: "brother White, don't
'ou have warm dinner on Sundays"
Yes" said the farmer, somewhat
"How do you get it, broth
II White? continueg the minister pleas
ntly. "How?----why, Mrs. White goes
o the meat barrel and takes out
oiece large enough for the whole fami-
US dinner, and boils or fries it, and"
Hold!" says the parson; "that pond,
Brother White, is Hager's meat barrel;
rs all the one he has, and every body
nows it. He took out just meat en-
ugh for dinner, and no more; and tho
cautioned him not to be caught in such
difficulty again, if he could possibly
void it, | thought upon the whole it
v ould not be best to trouble the church
nth the matter"
Farmer White was man of sense,
nd he admitted that the good parson
vas right. The pond, he said, was
layers meat barrel, and no mistake
nd he should say nothing more about
he matter.
The Apostles plucked the ears of
orn on the Sabbath, and ate because
hey were IAN hungered,' and the Jews
Of them to their Master.
What was his reply9