The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1855-02-21
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NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
BY AUSTIN C. DURD1cK.

THE small parish of FalloWdale had
been for some time without pastor
The members were neerly all farmers,
and they had not much money to be-
stow upon the support of clergyman !;
yet they were willing to pay for any
thing that could promise them any due
return of good. In course of time, it
happened that the Reverend Adam Su-
rely visited Fallowdale, and, as Sab
ath passed during his sojourn. he held
"a meeting in the little parish church
The people were pleased with his preach
ing, and some of them proposed inviting
him to stay with them, aud take charge
of their spiritual welfare. Upon the
merits of this proposition there was a
long discussion. Parson Surely had
signifed his willingness to take up a
permanent residence in Followdale, but
the members could not SO readily agree
to have him.
aI don't see the use of hiring par
son." said Mr.. Sharp, an old farmer of
the place. He can do us no good
IF you have got any money to spare, we
had better lay it up for something else.
A parson can't do any good"
To this it was answered that stated
religious meetings would be Of great
benefit to the younger people, and also
q source of real good to all
"I don't know about that" said
Sharp, after he had heard the argument
against him. Sharp was one of the
Wealthiest mer In the parish, and con-
ssequently one of the most influential
81 I've hearn TELL" continued he, of
q parson that could pray for rain, and
have It come at any time. Now if we
could hit upon such parson as that, l
would 20 for hiring him."
This opened a new idea to the unso-
phisticated minds of Fallowdale. The
farmers had suffered with long drouths,
and after arguing while longer, they
agreed to hire Parson Surely upon the
condition that he should give them rain
whenever they wished it, and on the 9TH
er hand that he would give them fair
weather whenever required DeacoDs
Smith and Townsend we're deputized to
snake this arrangement known to the
parson, and the people remained in the
church while their messengers went up
on their errand. When the deacons re-
turned Mr. Surely accompanied them.
He smiled as he entered the the church, +,
and with graceful bow saluted the
people there assembled.
saWell, my friends" he said, as he
assembled the platform in front of the
desk, have heard your request of
me, and strange as it may appear, 1 have
come to accept your proposals; but 1
can only do it on one condition and
that is, that your request for change
of weather be unanimous
This appeared very reasonable, since
every member of the parish had a deep
interest in the farming business and ere
long il was arranged that Mr.. Surely
should become pastor of folloWdaie, and
that he should give the people rain
whenever they asked for it. When Mr.
Surely returned to his lodgings his wife
was utterly astounded on learning tho
nature of the contract he had entered
into. :.
"But you know you can't make it
rain" persisted Mrs. Surely; and
YOU know the farmers will be wanting
rain very eften when there is none for
them. You will be disgraeed. "
twill learn them lesson" quietly
replied the pastor.
sAy, that you cannot be as good as
your word and when they have learned
- they viii turn you off. !"
We shall see,n was Mr.. Surely's re-
Piy, = ne took up book and commenc-
Inn vas signal to desist from fur
fueF conversation on the subject, and