Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1856-12-04

q
cy, is that your manners? How dare You
to talk about any body being stuck up 2
What did you tell brother Peel, when he
said he must report you to the preacher
for wearing fnger-ring and a vail p
These were then prescribed "ornaments,"-
badges of worldliness. Nancy was 81
ienced She did not want it known that
she had told her class-leader sin strict con-
fdence," when spoken to about wearing
these things, that Reuben Miller-a world
ly young man-had given them to her,
and as she was going to marry him, she
was "obliged to wear them, though for her
part she didn't .'care for them-not' she.
Brother Peel did not much believe the last;
but took counsel with brother Crocker on
the subject, which, perhaps, was not right.
But we must come to latter day. 1t
SO happened that brother Crocker was one
of the pioneers upon whom the new preach
er relied to show him the way partly round
the circuit. He grew to be comfortable in
bis circumstances, could spare the time,
and was fond of ''going to meeting" So
it was pleasant to him to take jauut with
the new preacher. A considerable time
had now elapsed since the first preacher
had dared to marry and travel, and he had
become accustomed to aid in the support
of their wives and children, and neither
the circuit nor the church was quite ruined
though he always contended that mat
tiers were growing worse. True to his OBJ
siinate nature. he was not recenciled in his
feelings-though his better principles
prompted him to be quiet and to make the
best of things as he found them, always
hoping and praying that things would grow
no worse. Alas for the shock that await
him. 1t would have killed him it had not
cured him. 1t happened thus:
One afternoon, riding home from visit
in his neighborhood, he overlook preach
er returning from conference. He learned
who was to be his ''circuit rider for the
next year-a young man of whom he had
not heard much; and, therefore, he had
many questions TO ask respecting him.
The answers given by the brother-one
whose spirit was not the most amiable, and
who was none the more pleased from his
disappointment in not being himself sent
to the circuit, for his family was settled on
the adjacent one, few miles from brother
Crocker's-were not such as to ensure the
inquirer that the work would fare well with
such preacher. He was hardly polite
enough 10 ask the traveller TO tarry with
him, and was glad when he answered that
he ''must get home tonight" The tidings
Were SO acceptable to him, that he would
tell his family what he had learned. He
tarried latter than usual in the shed-room,
where he prayed at evening; and came
away downcast and moody. He often
sighed and groaned, and family prayer was
very fervent over the backslidings of Church
and ministry. He seemed distressed, but
could find no comfort. Sister Crocker, a
woman of much good sense, generally let
this leaven of discomfort work its own ex-
haustion, before she said anything; but
now she became little restless herself,
and when the family had retired she asked
him what was 'going wrong
'The Church on our circuit is ruined"
said he, and groaned. r
"Well, old man." said she, rather pro-
vokingly, 81 suppose its so. Fve often
heard you say So, but | never saw it yet,
but always thought il would be some of
these days; and | reckon the times come,
you take on so powerfully tonight"
s.Polly," answered he, solemnly, 'what
makes you so light of serious things? l
tell you the Church is ruinedr' tsl
swell, didn't l agree to it? But you
might tell body what has ruined it %
"Such preacher as we have got this
vearr' and he told her who he was, and
what he had learned that afternoon re-
specting him. He was "starchy," and
proud Indeed, ''fop" for so straight
breasted, cynical brother Hart had describ-
ed him-one of your educated preachers"
who had great deal more of "school-
learnin" than ''religion." The good wife
tried to battle for the young preacher, more
from kindness of. heart than from per
suasion that he "would do" but it was of
no avail. Brother Crocker ''never saw
preacher of that kind, who was worth any,
thing" and was sure this one was no better
than the rest. He tasted the next day, SO
deep was his humiliation
The preacher came at length. Brother
Foster was young man just received into
full connection-the first collegian who had
Joined his conference. He had the mis-
fortune, as some thought it to be well-dress-
ed. He had fine open, intelligent coun-
tenance, rudy with health, which made him
look younger than he was. The young
sisters all thought him handsome, except
Barbara Anders, but she was engaged to
rich old Mr.. Dunston, and he was very
homely. Brother Crocker could have borne
with his good looks-saving that his kair
would not lie on his forehead-but his
dress s'with such a dressy preacher, the
church was ru;nedn Sister Crocker soon
loved the young man, for he was simple
hearted and cheerful. He chatted with
her freely the first night, and told her all
about his mother, whom he dearly loved.
She would take his part, and wanted to
know, when he was out, what sailed his
dressw "Now, old man." she said, 81
am getting ashamed of you. Don't you
see, it's only his good looks. His clothes
amt fine. The preacher ought always to
look nice. There's our Robert has clothes
that cost more, ] know, and he is only a
storekeeper, but he don't look so nice. It's
in the man. And he don't seem to set
any store by his clothes.' And this was
true. Young Foster had fine, manly
form, an elegant. shape, and without pay
ing any special attention to his garb, which