Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1853-11-18
MAHIN & CLEMENS.
The Clergyman's Love.
ny MRS. i. G. LOWERING.

bssovsd Of the three clergymen in Petonyille was-
inlovsl How this circumstance happened, it would be
shse dcut to relate; but it quite certain that in
vaarch his eye frst attracted by the sweet and
Psaslvs beauty Of Sassn Bs, who sat every Sabbath
IN hsf fathers pew, with her tender eyes hxod atten-
lively on the young and handsome preacher.
Mr.. Wcrtiey observed her; he was pleased with her
constant attendance, hcr patient attention. her appro
besson and sympathy. When he was pathetic, her
soft eyes swan in tears; when argumentative, her
sosntsnsnce cleaned with bright intdligence when
soqssnt In portraying the beauty of piety and the
Aosy OF Christian hope, her eyes b,amsd with her fer
'vcr Of heavenly aspirations.
The fair SusAu's sympathy seemed to inspire the
yoang preacher with fresh ardor each Sabbath for
when anything occurred to prevent her attendance at
The morning or afternoon service, there seemed
thing goae from his heart, and be was les: eloquent
than usual.
Ar. Wortley felt that this was wrong and it was
II analysing his feelings that be made the discovery
that be was-in lsce. Az.I
Then forming more intimate acquaintance with
tho Bs, and reading Susans heart through the pure
tsansparsncy Of her conversation, Mr. Wortley loved
her moro deeply than before, and, to his alarm, he
found that his heart entirely, ietrievaby hers
love from his pulpit Let them ref ,ct that the best
clersymen are human. Others more charitable, may
cusy be surprised that he, being single man, and
usan worthy girl did net propose to marry her at
,once.
Let me explain. Mr.. wortlcy had not foolishIy
sesolved never to marry, but he had long since made
up his mind to select for his wife poor GIRL who
had notsing but whole heart to bring her husband.
a minister, he thought, of ell men should avoid the
imputation of marrying for any worldly advantage,
and when be was told, that by the death Of rich
uncle whose fsvorite she was Susan had come into
small fortune Of twenty thousand dollars be said to
hissef:
" She can never be ny wife !"
81 two years passed, and Mr.. wortley still preached
from his pulpit to the fair maiden, who listened with
tender eyes up-turned, and who never suspected bis
secret love.
But unexpected occurrence troubled the serenity
Of the young clergy mans heart. stranger named
Brtson, took op his residence in Peitouve, and be-
came constant attendant Mr. Wortiey's church.
He was for long time n sutject Of much grsiping
conversation, and every body app cared like him,
except Mr.. wortIsy.
Ard Mr.. Wvrtley might have been prrjudced for
suybdy might see that the stranger very alten-
tive 20 susan Bell, who seemed pleased with his ad
dresses. He and tbs clerg. man had met several
occasions, and the latter, whose perception of human
character WAS certainly keen, became more firmly i'm
pressed, at each meeting, with the conviction, that
Mr.. Britton unworthy Of Susan.
Yet Mr.. Wor,ley accused himself If lfi.hness ard
endeavored ~ tniuk better of his rival. 1t to
parpose aud INV, seeing Su.an's hsrpiuess at ssk.,
hs VA plunged into despair.
1t was very La,ural, then, that the clergy man
shosid rcgre' his resolution net to many Sus-n, be-
cause she happened to possess ..ity twenty thou
ssnd and that he should think seriously of retrieving
his
~ may yet obtain ber hand" said he to himself,
"for she cannot love Kim"
1t evening in the month of June-a warm,
soft, quiet evening, and the dim twilight fnng its
s~eet mel ,ncholy influence the young preacher
heart. He took his hat and sauntered slowly in the
direction Of MIR. Bells house. He passed the garden,
and through the luxuriant branches Of the trees,
which fripgsd the road, q ,ated squads of human
voices, and fell upon his Gentle and low we're
TAO words which were spoken, but they sent pang
into the cergym.ss heart for he r.cogpzed the flute
like tones of Susar, who was not alone. The other
voice Brittont
tret back even more slowly thsn he came, and,
resshing his in Eder Msnsons house, he sat by
,as shsdowy window, gszing sadly on the silent
stars, and the solemn earth, until the fiery
climbed on the eastern sky and his chamber was no
longer dark.
On the following morning Mr.. wortley was paler
team usual, and there was sadness in his smile,
which his friends could not understand That days
A.
Sabbath, which had for its subject RxsIsNArIoN,
which full Of the touching eloquence for which
be wss distnguished-so warm in the outpourngs of
suffering but patient spirit-that the tender, up
turned eyes of Susan Bell were dim with gstening
tears and when, at the close Of his Sermon he said in
deep sgitated tone, Let sorrowing souls pray God
for resignation" and lifted up bis voice in earnest
prayer, the synpathisng girl bowed down her face
and sobbed.
Six weeks later, on lovely Sabbath morning, the
clergyman ascended the pulpit with elastic step,
and with clear, sunny brow. The fresh, summer
morning air had given to his mind hopeful bright
ness, such his friends had not for many days.
and when he arose to pray, his rich voice vibrated
with the solemn Joy Of sou at peace with ell the
world.
Mr.. wortley had evidently conquered the melan-
eAoly to which his spirits had long been prey.
After the second hymn, the preacher arose to pre-
pare the subject of his discourse but at that momen
the sexton in his noiseless clippers ascended the pull
pit, snd handed Mr. wortley some notices to be read.
The nrst was to call attention to prayer meeting,
10 be held At the house Of brother Woods on wednes
day evening" and tho second related to some church
business. Having dsposed of those Mr. wortley
proceeded 70 unfold the third slip of paper Suddenly
she blood forsook his cheeks he became deadly pale
sad hs leaned against the pulpit, if for support
TAm in deep, tremuious, scarcely audible voice,
- rssd:
sNotice u hereby given Of an intention to merry
BY Mr. Juus Britton, and of Susan. dsug hter Joseph
ara Maria Bell"
The paper fell hisfrom hands He opened the Bible,
and rad his tsxt, from Of st. Paul's epist!es
Al n his voice was feeble, but clear % the tones of
the organ. his manner was langud, but warming with
his subject a he proceeded, his oountenance glowed
A voics rang out like clarion tones his eye burned
With the fervor Of his eOquence and the words of
thought fell from his tongue like fire. He had never
preached with such fevor and reflect. Even the stern
and dismal Deacon Mills, who was great stickler for
osthodox sermons the dryer the BETTER confessed with
his eve still wet, that sMr Wortev,s sermons rust