Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1856-11-06
OBJ family Circle.


y
and they lad not much money to bestoM
en- the supp&'t Of q clergyman vet they
were willing to pay for anything thai
could promise them due return Of good
In the course Of time, it happened thai
dale, and as a Sabbath passed during his
sojourn, he held a meeting in 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 a long discussion. Parson
Surely had signifed his willingness tc
take permanent residence at Fallow
dale, but the members of the parish could
not so readily agree to hire him.
don't see the use of hiring parson, ,
said Mr.. Sharp. an old farmer of the
place. He can do us no good. If we've
got any money to spare, we'd better lay il
up for something else. A parson can't
learn me any thing"
To this it was answered that stated re.
ligious meetings would be Of great ben.
eft to the. younger people, and also a
source of real, social good TO all.
/ don't know bout that" said Sharp
after he had heard the arguments against
him. Sharp was one of the wealthiest
men in the parish, and consequently one
of the most influential I've hearn tell y
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 unsoph-
isticated minds of Fallowdale. The
farmers often suffered from long droughts,
and after arguing a. while longer, 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 would also give them
fair weather when required. Deacons
Smith and Townsend were deputies to
make this arrangement known to the par
son, and the people remained in the
church while their messengers went upon
their Grand
When the deacons returned, Mr.. Sure
/ ly accompanied them. He smiled as he
entered the church, and with a graceful
bow, he saluted the people there Assem-
bled
Well, my friends" he said, as he as
cended the platform in front Of the desk,
| have heard your request to me, and,
strange asst may appear, | have come to
accept your proposal but [ can do it on
! ly on one condition and that is, that
your request for change of weather must
be unanimous"
This appeared very reasonable, since
every member of the parish had a deep
interest in the farming business, and ere
long it was arranged that Mr.. Surely
should become tie pastor Of Fallowdale,
and that he should give the people rain
whenever they asked for it.
When Mr.. Surely returned to his lodg
lngs, his wife was utterly astounded upon
learning the nature Of the contract her
fuu7buzaa i'.tl e,,te.ed -i.Ntn, Inf the pa stcr
only smiled and babe her wait for the re-
suit.
But you know you cannot make i'll
rain" persisted Mrs. Surely "and you
know, too, that the farmers here will be
wanting rain very often when there isl
none for them. You viii be disgraced. ,"
/ will learn them a lesson" quietly
returned the pastor.
Ayc-that you cannot be so good as
your word and when you have learned
it to them, they will turn you off"
We shall see" was Mr.. 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 flew on, and at length the hot
days Of midsummer were at hand. For
three weeks it had not rained, and the
young corn was beginning to curl up be-
meath the effects of the drought. In this
extremity the people bethought thems
selves of the promise Of their pastor. and
some of them fastened to his dwelling
Come" said Sharp, whose hlly farm
was suffering severely, Eve want rain
You remember your promise"
" Certainly" returned Mr. Surely
If you will call a meeting of the mem
bers Of the parish, I will be with you this
evening"
With this the applicants were perfectly
satisfied, and forthwith they fastened to
call the flock together.
Now you'll see the hour of your dis
grace, said Mrs. Surely, after the visit
ors had gone. "Oh. am very sorry you
undertook to deceive them SOP
] did not deceive"
8 Yes you surely did,"
We shall See" responded the pastor.
So we shall see" added the lady.
The hour for meeting came round. and
Parson Surely met his people at the
church they were all there-most Of
them anxious, and the reminder curious.
9 Now, my friends" said the pastor,
arising upon the platform. Il have come
to hear your request. What is it?"
We want rain" bluntly spoke Farmer
Sharp and you know you promised to
Cite it to u.s."
Aye-rain-rain," repeated half a
dozen voices.
it 2" = - :
"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 well
made hay in the field and would not
have it wet for any thing !"
50 have hay out" added Mr.. Peck.
e won't have rain tonight"
Then eG it be Tomorrow
:" 1t will take MO oil d.. IL \. =