Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-01-19
fuence was still potent and in spite of himself, he

became q minister at last
Twenty years in the swift flight of time had passed
away since the boys stood together in the work.
shop, gazing at the model of the schooner.
In one of The ma1atime suburbs, near extensive
ship yard, in which are four immense clipper ships
the stocks, stands small, dingy church. bearing
the most evident signs of neglect. But it is small
society and the few who worship there find it exceed
Ugly difficult to pay the Rev Jno Emerson the pastor
the meagre salary of five hundred dollars year.
Mr.. Joseph Broadley, the enlerprising shipwright,
who owns the yard the church, il is said, pays
considerably than half of this sum. for the pas
old friend, and be earnestly desires to
tain him. Z. ..s
The church is in most unprosperous condition. 1t
has been running down for several years. One by
one, the society leaving it, preferring to walk
half mile TO another church. .-....s-r
There is a reason for everything and there was
reason why the Rev John Emerson succeeded no
better in building up the society over which be pre-
sided His preaching was so nsupportably dull and
insipid that il was pennance to hear him
People said he was no more fit for preacher than
Beelzebub for a saint and they would not hear
him. They said he did not seem TO care anything
about his profession and was so gloomy as well as
dull that they could not tolerate him, either in the
pulpit or out of it and if it had not been for the fact
that Dlr. Broadey, with all his influence, went to
meeting there the pews would have been entirely de-
serted
The Rev John Emerson a broken down min
lSloT IN MS DeGeT uayS he Hdu D6e0 SeLtleQ IN tue
pastoral charge of an extensive and wealthy society
in the city. But after the first year, he atied OUT,
folks called ii. and some of his influential parish
oners give him hint that he had better ask dis
mission
He had tried several places with no better success;
and finally, after years of inactivity, had been COM
PEELED accept call from the feeble society where
he now oficiated.
His father and mother were both dead. and he had
already expended his inheritance in supporting his
expensive family while waiting call He was poor;
his spirits were broken down, we'll as his occupa-
tion.
Harrassed by financial embarrassments, there SEEM
ed to be no hope for him, but the hope beyond the
grave. What wonder that, weighed down by trials
and SORROW he was unable to preach to the satisfac-
ton of his people!
To cap the climax, his society, in spite of the in
fuence of Mr. Broadey, voted, al last, to request
him TO ask dismission. Even the poor piltance,
which had been barely sufficient to support him,
to be Withdrawn, and the most abiect poverty
stared him in the face
In the lonIiness of his study, he shed great seal
ding tears over his unhappy lot, The world had
been full of grefs to him. Misfortune upon misfor-
tune had been his portion, and now, helpless SER
want in the vineyard. he to be cast out beggar
When he had sufficiently vented his anguish, he
left the house. and walked down the ship-yard Jo-
seph Broadey had been his constant friend and
in his extremity, he flew TO him, for council and as
sstance.
1T is use, Joseph, said he, sadly, as he wiped
tear from his sunken eyes. q never was fit for a
minister
That is very true John; but it can't he helped
If had gone to a trade, as you did. | -
He paused, leaving the sentence unfinished for it
cast a reflection upon mother who laid in remem-
bered gave.
| care not for the name. Joseph have family
10 support
What a contrast! The two boys, with substanti-
ally the Abilities had reached far different points
in the pursuit of success. The fame Of the ship
builder spread over the whole world Success
had crowned him in all his undertaking. The minis
ter was broken down, poor, and in despair.
8 ! will give you thousand doll rs year if you
like said Joseph, ditfdenty.
God bless you excla med the minister, and tear
OF gratitude stood in his hollow eye as he grasped
the hand OF his friend can never earn such a
salary that
Nature made him for mechanic, gave him the
Taste and the fitness for mechanical calling; she
made him minister, proitess Of the Great
Master, because in her weakness she deemed it more
respectable
Cheer up John there is hope yet, said Joseph
Broadley.
Alas there is no hope. | can never preach again,
and | am fit for nothing else now
yes you are though presume you do not wish
to abandon your profession
Abandon it With all my soul can serve the
Lord much mo'e acceptably in my other calling
III II were not for the name OF thing, | would glad
ly offer you situation book keeper at the yard
oh, yes you can; cheer up
May God ever bless you. Joseph y
The arrangement was effected Immediately, and
the broken minister more had the courage 10
raise his head, and hope that he might yet redeem
his existence from utter useessness His old taste re-
turned TO him, after while and he proved TO be
quite efficient aid 10 his friends, independent of
his sphere an accountant
The moral of our story need not be pointed out
If boy has TASTE and fitness for the mechanic arts
let him be a mechanic. Many a good shoemaker
has been spoiled to make an Indifferent and useless
minister