The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1857-04-29
From Gleasons Pictorial.
PARS0N SURELY's EXPERIMENT 7.
ny AUSTIN G. DuRDIeK.

~ hAsiiN y. DthpiGA'
The small parish at Fallowdale had heen
for some time without a pastor. The mem
bers were nearly all farmers, and they had
not much money TO bestow upon clergy
man; yet they were willing to pay for any
thing that could promise them any due re-
turn Of good. In course of time il happened
that the Rev. Abraham Surely visited Fal-
lowdale, and as Sabbath passed during MS
sojourn, he held meeting in the small
church. The people were pleased, and some
Of them proposed inviting him TO remain
with them and take charge of their spiritual
welfare.
Upon the merits of the proposition, there
was a long discussion. Parson Surely had
signifed his willingness to take permanent
residence al Fallowdale, but the members of
the parish could not so readily agree TO hire
him.
81 don't see any use Of hiring a parson,"
said Mr.. Sharp, an old farmer Of the place.
lie can do Us no good. Ii we've any
money to spare, we'd better lay it up for
something else. parson can't learn me
anything"
To this il was answered. that stated reli-
gious meetings would be of great benefit to
the Younger people, and also 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 wealthie., men
in the parish, and consequently one Of the
most influential. " / have heard tell" he
continued, 4" of parson that would pray
for rain, and have IL come at any time. Now
il we could hit upon such pnrs0n as that,
Iwould 20 in for hiring him"
This opened new idea to the uusophisti-
Gated minds Of Fallowdale. The farmers
often suffered from long droughts. and after
arguing while longer, they agreed tO hire
ParsOn Surely, upon the condition that he
would give them rain whenever thev wished
for il, and, on the other hand, he would also
give them fair weather when required.
Deacons Smith aud Townsend were drpu.
tiscd to make this arrangement known To
the parson. and the people remained in the
church while their messengers went upon
their errand.
/ When the deacous returned. Air. Surely
accompanied them. lie smiled, a. he entered
the church, and With graceful bow he "a.
luted the people there assembled.
well, my friends, said he, a. he n.
rcnded the platform III front d the desk. |
{ have heard your request TO me. and. strange
a il may appear, have come to accept yuur
proposal; but can ID II aaly On one con
dition; aud that j. YOUR request for a change
Of weather must be unanimous"
This appeared very reasonable, since
every member of the parish had been inter-
ested in the farming business, aud efa loug
twas arranged that Mr. surely shclid be.
come the pastor of Fallowdale. aud that he
should give the people rain whenever they
asked for II.
When Mr.. Surely returned 10 his Tod .ings.
his wife was utterly astunished upon learning
the nature uf tie contract her husband bad
entered into: but the pastor uniy smiled. and
babe her wait Tor the result. .~
" But you know Won cannot make II rain. >
persisted Mrs. surely; &" and SuJ kno,,. tuo
that the farmer. here will BE- wanting rain
very often when thefp j. nanc Tor them
You will be di<rraced."
~ will learn them ltss3u." quietly Fe-
turned tie pastor.
"Av, that ven cannot be a. goal a. ,aat
word : aud when yuu ha,c learned Il IN ttem
they will turn tud Off"
1--WE shall see" was Ir. Surely reply
a. he took up a book and commenced read
Ing.
j This was signal for tic wife 10 G,sist
from further conversation oH the subject and
she at once obeycd.
4 Time flcw on, aud at length tlie hut dlvs
of midsummer were 1T hand. For tIre,
weeks il had not raine,l, aud the vauug cort
was beginning IL curl up beneath tbr effect,
of the drought. III this extremity. the pgp
pie beihouglit themselves d the promise .
their pastor, and su'ur ui them hastaneI /,
his dwelling.
"coHs," al sharp, Who.s k=1is iafn