Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-09-05

The little parish of Yellowdale farmers had
been without minister. One Rev MIR. Snrnigs.
visited the village, and was asked to sav over Soy
day and preach for them. The people were nlesSad
with his sermons and some were anxious to bavo
him stop. meeting was called to know the mind
of the parish. 81 don't see any usen having a min
iser said Sharp rich old farmer a parson can,t
learn me anything; if we have any money to snare
we had better lay it out in something that will brine
fair return The Sabbath-loving part of the nee
pie argued strongly against him. "Well," answered
Sharp, not choosing to show himself convinced "vo
heard tell of ministers that could pray for rain and
bring it; if could hit one of that sort I'd co
in for hiring him.
younger and less knowing of his neighbors waro
quite taken with the idea. "That would be min
lister worth having" they thought And after mncb
talk it agreed to hire Mr.. Surely on this cond
tion-that he would give them rain or fair weather
when they wanted ii fer their farms often snforoi
both from severe drought and heavy rains Mr.
Surely was Immediately waited upon by commit.
tee of the parish, who soon came back, BRINGING tbo
minister with them 81 will accept your terms 1nou
one condition., sade he. that you agree unon
what sort OF weather you want" This appeared
reasonable and matters were arranged for vsar,1
stay at Yellowdale.
Weeks passed on, bringing midsummer boo,o
For three weeks it had not raned, and the vonnr
corn was beginning to curl with drought Now fos7
the minister's promise. Come" said Sharpe. with
one VI wv otLoto WuOeo AillJ IdrllS were SUFFERING
e we need rain, you remember your promise"
Certany,n answered the minister call a mat,
ing" meeting was called. "Now, nv friends }
said the pastor, {" what is ii you want %
"Rain, rain,n shouted half dozen voices.
1 Very we'll when will you have it %
This very night, all night long" said Sham II
which several assented.
No, no; not tonight" cried MIR. Smith, upvo
six or seven tons well made hay out; would NOT
have it wet for anything"
&c So have l." added MIR. Peck " no rain to-ngh, :,
"Will you take it tomorrow 2" asked the minis.
ter But it would take all tomorrow to get il in
So objections up for the two or three next DAYS
: & In four days then - said Mr.. SurIey.
u Yes cried Sharp, 4" all the hay will be III, and
q no more be cut tl'-
> ' Stop, stop" cried Mrs Sharp, pulling her hus
: band smartly by the sleeve, ''that day have Sc
to 60 to Snowfall. 1t mus'n rain then"
In short the meeting resulted in no conclusion a
e all for it was found quite impossible to agree.
y until you make up your mnds,n said the pastor
e leaving, I'VE must all trust to the Lord"
Il Both MIR. Smith and Mr.. Peck got their hay in, bu
st the day the Sharps to go Snowhil it seeme
to rain good earnest Sharp lost his visit but his crop
II gained,
l. And so it happened once Or twice again. The yea
a rolled by, and the people could never all agree upo
:, what kind of weather they wanted.
3 Mr. Surely, OF course, had occasion to fulfil hi
L part of the contract, and the result was that the,
began to upen their eyes to the fact that this wor
n would be strange place if its inhabitants shoul
. govern rain. They saw that natures laws could
IS safely trusted in the hands of natures God.