Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-08-22
EVENING STAR,
Rain, or no Rain

The little parish of Yellowdale farmers had
long been without a minister. One day Rev
Mr.. Surely visited the village. and was asked
to stay over Sunday and preach for them. The
people were pleased with his sermons and some
were anxious to have him STOP A meeting
was called to know the mind of the parish
81 don't see any use n having a minister"
said Sharp, rich old farmer; ga parson
can't learn me anything; if we have any
money to spare, We better lay it out in some
thing that will bring a fairer return The
Sabbath-loving part Of the people argued
strongly against him. "Well," answered
Sharp, not choosing to show himself convinced
"I've heard tell Of ministers that could pray
for rain, and bring il; il we could hit on one
of that sort, I'd go in for hiring him.
Mr. Sharp was man of consequ uence, and
the younger and less knowing of his neighbors
were quite taken with the idea. UThat
would be q minister worth haying,n they
thought. And after much talk, it was agreed
to hire Mr.. S1rely on this condition-that he
would give them rain, or fair weather, when
they wanted it; for their farms often suffered
both from severe drOughts and heavy rains.
Mr.. Surely was Immediately waited upon by
q committee of the parish, who soon came
back, bringing the minister with them "I
will accept your terms upon one condition, -
said he, "that you must agree upon what
sort OF weather you want" This appeared
reasonable, and matters were arranged for a
years stay at Yellowdale
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 prom
ise. "Come," said Sharp, with one or two
others whose billy farms were suffering, 4" We
need rain, you remember your promise 1"
Certainly" answered the minister, call a
meeting" A meeting was called "Now my
friends" said the pastor, "Hhat is i, you
want ?"
sRain, rain" shouted half dozen voices
every well when will you have it?"
"This very night, all night long" said
Sharp, to which several assented.
!" No, no; not tonight" cried Mr.. Smith,
I" We six or seven tons well made hay out
would not have it wet for any thing
$50 have 1, /" added Mr.. Peck, q no rain to-
night"
twill you take it tomorrow a'' asked the
minister. But it would take all tomorrow to
get II In. 80 objections came up for the two
or three next days. "In four days then ?"
said Mr.. Surely.
"Yes," cried Sharp, 4" all the hay will be
in, and no more be cut tilP'-
"Stop, stop" cried Mrs Sharp, pulling her
husband smartIy by the sleeve. q th at dsy we
have set to go to snow bill. 1t mus mt rain
then
In short the meeting resulted in iu,, no con-
clusion at all, for it was found quite impossible
to agree.
Until you make up your minds" said the
pastor on leaving, we must all trust to the
Lord -
Both Mr.. Smith and Mr. Peck got their hay
in, but on the day the Sharps were to 60 to
Snow Hill, it seemed 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 occasion to
fulfil his part Of the contract, and the result
was that they began to open their eyes to the
fact that this world would be strange place
ifits inhabitants should govern rain. They saw
that natures laws could be safely trusted in
the hands Of natures God