Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1856-10-16
MisfeIIanfons Mattfr
Rain. or no Rain.

The little parish OF fellowdale farmers
had long been without minister. One
day Rev. Mr.. Surley visited the village,
and was asked to stay over Sunday and
preach to them The people were pleased
with his sermon, and some were anxious
to have him stop. A meeting was called
to know the mind of the parish. 4 don't
see no use in having minister said Sharp,
a rich old farmer, "a parson can't learn me
anything; if we've any money to spare, we
better lay it cut in something that will
bring fairer return The Sabbath loving
part Of the people argued strongly against
him. WELL answered Sharp, not choos-
ing to show himself convinced, I've heard
tel of ministers that could pray for rain,
and bring it; if we could hint on one Of
that sort, I'd 60 in for hirin, him. e
Mr.. Sharp was a man of consequence,
and the youngest and less knowing of his
neighbors were taken with the idea
That would be a minister worth having.
They would hire Mr.. Surely upon this con-
.dition-that he would give them rain or
fair weather when they wanted it for their
farms often suffered from severe droughs
and heavy rains. Mr.. Surely was immedi-
-ately waited upon by committee of the
parish, who soon came back bringing the
minister with them. 4 will accept your
terms upon one condition. said he, that
you may agree upon what sort of weather
you want This appeared reasonable, and
matters were arranged for a years stay at
Yellowdale.
A., 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,
we need rain; you remember your promise
Certainly answered the minister, call
meeting.' A meeting was called. Now
ry friends said the pastor, what is. your
wants' ssas
tRain, rain,' shouted half dozen voices.
Very, well, when will youhaye itl'
This very night, all night long said
Shap, to which several assented.
o No, no; not tonight cried Mr. Smith,
I've six or seven tons of well-made hay out
Iwould not have it wet for any thing
SO have l. added M. Peck, mo rain to-
night .i.-<--.A : 2 g :. : 81, a. : II
sWiIl you take it tomorrow 2 asked the
minister. But it viii take it all tomorrow
to getit in. So objection came up for the
two or three next days. 1n four days theng
said Mr.. Surely. 30, Jsf.e5
Yes cried Sharp, 'all the hay will be in,
and no more be cut till srs .ae7
Stop, stopp cried Mrs. Sharp, pulling
her husband smartly by the sleeve, that
day we have set out TO 60 to Snowy-hill.-
1t mas mt rain them -. ~. ;.~
In short, the meeting resulted in just no
conclusion at all, for it was found quite i'm
possible to agree. .'-' Ss
Until you make up your minds said the
pastor on leaving, I'VE must all trust in the
Lord - s----
Both Mr.. Smith and Mr.. Peck got their
hay IN, but on the day the Sharps were to
go TO Snowy-hill, it began to rain in good
earnest. 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 all agree upon what kind of weather
they wanted. Mr.. Surely, of course, had
no ooccasion to fulfill his part of the contract,
and the result was that they began to open
their eyes to.thefact that this world would
be astraage place if its inhabitants should
governit. They saw that natures laws
could be safely trusted in the hands of ma
lures God.