The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-08-26

OBJ 4ailg gontnaI
RAIN, OR NO RAIN.

Ilong been without minister. One day Rev
Mr.. Surely visited the village, and was asked
to stay over Sunday and preach to them. The
people were pleased with his sermons, and
some were anxious to have him stop A meet
ing was called to know the mind of the parish.
Il don't see any use in having minister, /"
said Sharp, rich old farmer; "a parson can't
learn me anything; if we've any money to
spare, we better lay it out in something that
will bring fairer return The Sabbath-loy-
ing part of the people argued strongly against
him. 'Well," answered Sharp not choosing
to show himself convinced, "I'ye heard tell of
ministers that could pray for rain, and bring
it; if we could hit on one of that sort, I'd go in
for hiring him. al
Mr.. Sharp was man of consequence, and
the younger and less knowing of his neighbors
were quite taken with the idea. "That would
be minister worth having" they thought
And after much talk, it was agreed to hire Mr..
Surely upon this condition-that he would
give them rain, or fair weather, when they
wanted it; for their farms often suffered both
from severe droughts and heavy rains. Mr.
Surely was Immediately waited upon by a
committee of the parish, who soon came back,
bringing the minister with them. 81 will &C
cept your terms upon one condition" said he |
that you must agree upon what sort of wealth |
er you want" This appeared reasonable, and |
matters were arranged for years stay at
Yellowdale.
Weeks passed on bringing midsummer
heats. For three weeks it had not rained, and |
the young corn was beginning to curl with
drought. Now for the minister's promise
Come" said Sharp, with one or two others /
whose hilly farms were suffering, 1--WE need /
rain; you remember your promise" Certain i
ly,' answered the minister, ''call meeting, . /
meeting was called. Now, my friends, !"
said the PASTOR 'what is it you want?'
"Rain, rain," shouted half dozen voices.
every well; when will you have it?'
This very night, all night long," said Sharp
to which several assented.
"No, no; not tonight" cried Mr. Smith,
"I'ye six or seven tons well made hay out;
would not have it wet for anything"
80 have II added Mr.. Peck, mo rain to-
night" s'-
"Will you take it tomorrow asked the
minister. But it would take all tomorrow to
get it in. So objection came up for the two
or three next days. "In four days then?" said
Mr.. Surely. iE
"Yes," cried Sharp, "all the hay will be in,
and no more be cut till''- -s..... /
Stop stop!" cried Mrs. Sharp, pulling her
husband smartly by the sleeve, ''that day we
have set to go to Snew- hill. 1t mustn't rain
then"
In short. the meeting resulted in just no
conclusion at ALL for it was found quite imposs-
ibe to agree.
until you make up your minds" said the
pastor on leaving, 1--WE must all trust in the
Lord
Both Mr.. Smith and Mr.. Peck got their hay
in, but on the day the Sharps were to go to
Snowhill, it began to rain in good earnest-I
Sharp lost his visit. but his crops gained.
And so it happened once or twice AGAIN.
The year rolled by, and the people could never I
all agree upon what kind of weather they |
wanted Mr.. Surely, of course, had no occa-
sion to fulfill his part of the contract, and the
result was that they began to open their eyes
to the fact that this world would be strange
place if its inhabitants should govern it. They
saw that natures laws could be safely trusted
in the hands of natures God.
At the close of the year the minister spoke
of leaving This the people would not listen
to. "But I cannot stay under the old con-
tract" said he. @
Nor do we want you to- said Sharp much
humbled; "only stay to teach us and our
children how to know God and obey his laws
"And all things above our proper sphere
added the pastor, eve will leave with God;
for He doeth all things well,'" Sta7s- % 4
tChitfs Paper.