Litchfield enquirer., 1856-10-02
Parson SuTely's Experiment. SKETCH FOR WEATHER GRUMBLERS.
BY AUSTIN c. BERWICK

BY AUSTIN c. BERWICK. l THE small parish of Fallowdale had been 1 for some time without pastor. The mem- bers were nearly all farmers, and they had not much money to bestow on the support of a clergyman yet they were willing to pay for any thing that could promise them due re- turn of good. In the course of time, it lap pened that the Rev. Abraham Surely visited Fallowdale, and as Sabbath passed during his sojourn, he held meeting tn the small church The people were pleased with his preaching, and some of them proposed inviting him to remain with them, and take charge of their spiritual welfare.
 ' 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 so readily agree to hire him.
 1T don't see the use of hiring parson," :" said Mir. Sharp, an old farmer of the place. He can do us DO good. If we've got any money to spare, we'd better lay it up for some thing else. A parson can't learn me any thing"
 To this it was answered that stated religions meetings would be of great benefit to the younger people, and also source of real, so- cal good to all
 "I don't know bout that" said Sharp, af ter he had heard the arguments against him. Sharp was one of the wealthest men in the p.rlsh, and consequently one of the most iufu- eutial. "Pye hearn tell," he continued, <" of parson 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 unsophisti- cated minds of Fallowdale. The farmers oft en suffered from long droughts and after ar- guing while longer, they agreed to hire Par son Surely upon the condition that he should give them rain whenever they wished for it, and, on the other hand, that he would also give them fair weather when required. Dea- cons Smith and Townsend were deputies to make this arrangement known to the parson, aud the people remained in tue church while their messengers went upon their errand.
 When the deacons returned, Mir. Surely nc coml,auied them. He smiled as he entered the church, and with graceful bow, he saluted the people there assembled.
 "Weil, my frieuds," he said, as he asccnded the platform in frout of the desk, have heard your request to me, and, strange as it may appear, l have come to accept your pro- posal but can do it only on one condition i; aud that is, that your request for change of weather must be unanimous" This appeared very reasonable, since every member of the parish had deep interest in | the farming business, and ere long it was ar ranged that Mir. Surely should become the pastor of Fallowdale, aud that he should give the people rain whenever they asked for it. When Mir. Surely returned to his lodgings his wife was utterly astounded npon learning the nature of the contract her husband had entered into but the pastor only smiled, and bade her wait for the result. But you know you cannot make it rain" persisted Mrs. Surely and you know, too, 1 that the farmers here will be wanting rain very | often when there is none for them. You will be disgraced."
 T~iii .e..a. them . lesson," quietly return ed the pastor
 Aye-that you cannot be so good as y6ar word ; aud when you have learned it to them, they will turn you off"
 i've shall sec" was MT. Surely's reply, as
 he took up book and commenced reading.
 This was signal for the wife to desist from further conversation on the subject, and she at once obeyed.
 Time flew on, and at length the hot days oi
 midsummer were 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 be. thought themselves of the promise of their
 pastor, and some of them hasteaed to his dwelling Come" said Sharp, whose hilly farm was
 suffering severely, we want some rain You
 remember your promise"
 Certainly" returned Mr. Surely. Ii you will call a meeting of the members of the parish, will be with you this evening"" With this the applicants were perfectly sat isfed, and forthwith they hastened to call tho
 flock together.
 "Now you'll see the hour of your disgrace, , said Mrs. Surely, after the visitors had gone "Oh, am very sorry you ever undertook tt } deceive them SO"
 "Idid not deceive" "Yes, you surely did.a r "We shall see," responded the pastor. - "So we skau see," added the lady. . The hour for meeting came around, and Par Q son Surely met his people at the church the. }. were all there-most of them anxious, aud tn,
 remainder curious.
 n Now, my friends, said the pastor. arisin, Q upon the platform, . I have come to hear you request What is it ?n .
 We want rain,n bluntly spoke Farme :, Sharp and you know you promised to giv l. 1 1t to ms
 rI "Aye-rain-rain. n reneated half dor.