Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-01-04
ParsOn Surely'S Experiment.
Il Sketch for Weather Grumblers.
By AUSTIN C. BURDICE.

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bestow upon the support of clergyman; yet they
were willing to pay for anything that could prom
ise them any return of good. In the course Of
time it happened that the Rev. Abraham Surely
visited FaIlowdale and as q Sabbath passed du-
ring his soourn, he held a meeting in the small
church. The people were pleased with his preach
ing and some of them proposed inviting him to
remain and take charge of their spiritual well
fare.
Upon the merits of this proposition there was
long discussion. Parson Surely had signifed
his willingness to take permanent residence at
Fallowdale, but the members of the parish could
not readily agree to hire him.
L don't see the use of hiring parson, said Mr..
Sharp, an old farmer of the place. He can do US
. no good. Ifwe've got any money to spare, think
we had better lay it up for something else. A
parson can't learn me anything
To this it was answered that stated religious
meetings would be benefit to the young, and al
so a source of real good to all.
Il don't know about that said Sharp, after he
had heard the argument against him. Sharp was
one of the weathest men in the parish, and con-
tell he continued, 'ofa p4rson that could pray for
rain, and have it come at any time Now, if we
could hit upon such parson as that, would go
in for hiring him.
This opened new idea to the unsophsticated
mind of Fallowdsle. The farmers often suffered
from long droughts; they agreed to hire Parson
Surely upon the condition that he should give them
rain whenever they wished for it, and on the other
hand, that he should give them fair weather when
required. DeacOns Smith and Townsend were
deputised to make this arrangement known to the
parson, and the people remained in the church
while their messengers went upon the errand
When the deacons returned, Mr. Surely accom-
panied them. He smiled us he entered the church,
and with bow he saluted the people there assem-
bed
well, my friends he said, ho sacand4a Tho
platform in front of the desk. Ihave heard your
request to me, and strange as it may appear, l
have come to accept your proposal; but can do
It only on one condition; and that is that your re-
guest for a change of weather must be unani-
NOUS
This appeared very reasonable, since every
member of the parish had deep interist in the
farming business, and ere long it was arranged
that Mr. Surely should become the pastor of Fa-
lowdae, and that he should give the people rain
whenever they asked for it.
When Mr.. Surely returned TO his lodgings, his
wife was utterly astonished upon learning the ma
ture of the contract her husband entered into but
the pastor only smiled. and bade her wait for the
result.
But you know you cannot make a rain,' per-
sisted Mrs Surely; and you know, too, that the
farmers here will be wanting rain very often
when there is none for them. You will be dis
graced.'
Twill learn them lesson,' quietly returned the
pastor.
'Aye-that you cannot be so good as your word
and when you have learned it to them they will
. turn you Off
I'VE shall see,' was Surely's reply as he took
up book and commenced reading
This was signal for the wife to desst from
further conversation on the subject, and she at
once obeyed.
Time few on, and at length the hot DAYS of
mi l-summer we're at hand. For three weeks it
had not rained, and the young corn was begin
ming to curl up beneath the effects of the drought
In this extremity the people bethought themsely-
es Of the promise of their pastor, and some of them
hastened to his dwelling.
Come said Sharp, whose hilly farm was suf
Inn EI fering severely, we want some rain. You re-
IN member your PROMISE
Certainly, returned Mr. Surely, ff YOU will
call for meeting Of the members of the parish. |
will be with you this evening
With this the applicants were perfectly salts.
fed, and forthwith they hastened to call the flock
together.
'NeW, you'll see the hour of Disgrace said Mrs
Il Swel!, aiJer the visitors had gone. %, am
very prry you ever undertook to deceive them
so.'
I did not deceive them.'
'Yes, you surely did
we snail see, added the parson.
) . The hour for the meeting had come around, and
IYI u Parson Surely met his people at the church
mo They were all there-most of them snxious and
4 the remainder curious.
Il Now, my friends, said the pastor arising upon
the platform, 4 have come to hear your reaues,,
|, What is itp
'We want ran,' bluntly spoke Farmer Sharp;
: 'and you know you promised to give it to us
Rain, rain, rain! responded half dozen voices.
. very well. Now when will you have it
This very night Let it rain all night long
said Sharp, to which several others Immediately
assented.
No, no, not tonight cried Deacon Smith, i
have six or seven tons of welI-made hav in the
field and would not have it wet for anything
Then let it be Tomorrow
1T will take me all day tomorrow to get nv
hay n said Smith.
Thus objections came up for the two succeed
ing days, and at length by way of compromise,
Mr.. Sharp proposed that they should have it rain