Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-12-18
From Harper's Magazine.
THE WIFE OF OUR NEW MINISTER.

THE WIFE OF OUR NEW MINISTER.
There had been pastoral charge in our con-
grcgation. The people, after Il ten years trial
of good old Mr.. Wharton, and his amiabe, COM
plant wife, came to the conclusion thata differ
ent kind of wife, would vastly improve their
spiritual condition. There was lack of strength
about Mr.. Wharton (so it was allcgcd,) and
certain prominent ladies in the church had wish
ed (alOud) so often that Mrs. Wharton wereless
old-fashioncd in her ways, that change, sooner
or later, had come to be settled thing in the
minds of a majority. 1t was simply question
of time; and time settled the question. The
change was made. Old Mr.. Wharton ana his
wife retired, and Rev. Mr.. Newton and his wife
took their places in the pastorate Of the congre-
gation-l say "Nlr. Newton and his wife, for
our people think, or used to think, that, when
they 'hircd a minister" they hired his wife also.
and regarded her duties among them in quite
as high light as they did the duties Of her
husband
happened to be away from the village at the
time this change was made, and dill not return
until after Mr.. Newton and his wife had been
doing duty fer something over three months.
GLOW do you like the new minister ?' was
among the first Of my inquiries.
lies a charming preacher" was the reply
received on every hand. Yet saw, by the man
ner Of my friends, that some drawback existed.
GLOW do YOU like his wife ?"
All The little mystery was explained. Mr..
Newton was well enough But his wife
What kind of woman is she ?" asked
"Don't know. Can't make her out, >" was the
vague answer received.
"ls she anything like Mrs. Wharton"
"Oh dear, no | only. wish she was. Why
| she doscnt take particle of interest in the
church. Hasn't been TO one Of the monthly
] for IN hp Ia
circle; nor even to the Sabbath-school. We
calculated entirely on her taking the senior girls
class which Mrs Wharton taught for so many
years and a committee of ladies walled on her
with an invitation to do so but she actually
declined, saving that she had neither tcste nor
optitude for teaching! Now what do you think
of that for minister's wife dyou ever hear
the beat of il ?"
saw. at glance, that there was trouble
ahead for Miss Phebc Lane, who made me
this communication, was an active "crcuating
body's business, talk ed to every body. and arf.
cd opinion maker To a large majority of la
dies who had too much to do in their families
to have time for independent thinking in church
matters.
must confess that l felt a sort of liking for
Mrs. Newton on this representation of Miss
Lane Mrs. Wharton had been such plant
subject in the hands OF my spinstcr friend, and
few like her, that an involuntary respect was
create for a minister's wife, who, in coming
among us, could from the beginning show tha,
she had an individuality of her own, and meant
to hold on by it.
Two or three days Intercourse with the men,
bers of the congregation satisfied me that Mrs.
Newton would not do for the Church of st.
Charity When and where this lady was saint
cd | have never learned. have my suspicion
that Miss Phebc Lane, who re-christencd the
parish on the occasion of building our new
church, was not particularly well read in the
Saintish Calendar But let that pass. Ours
. was the Church of st. Charity. Mr.. Newton
was delightful man. Such preacher! Sc
active in all the interests of the society Sc
pious! So humble minded But his wife =
No woman could be less suited to her condition
1t was even doubted whether she were pro-
fessor. Phebe Lane was positive about it and
ayerred that she didn't believe there was q spark
OF piety in her soul. How man like Mr.. New
ton could ever have mated himself with such q
wife was regarded by Miss Lane as one of the
inexplicable mysteries. "A man like Mr.. New
ton, who might have his choice among women I"
went to church with no ordinary feeling O
interest on the Sabbath following my RETURN
Whether my leading impulses were Of the earth
I earthly, or of heaven, heavenly, will not Stol
l to question. Five minutes before the time foi
services to begin, a lady, just above the medium
f height, beautifully formed, and with step o.
, blended grace and dignity, passed along the
, aisle leading child by the hand and took hel
seat in the minister's pew. Though not in any
: sense gayly dressed, there was a style and all
7 about her that by no means indicated piou'
f disregard for worldly things. Taste had eyi
IDENTIFY presided at her toilet. ! noticed sligh
! hutter running through the congregation, ant
t the turning of many heads toward the ministers
t pew, which occupied the most prominent place
e in the church. The lady did not look arount
4 her, nor show the slightest interest in the peo
=. pie. How different, in all things, was her ap
pearance and bearing from that Of good, kind
S compliant Mrs. Wharton, whose pleasant al
most smiling face had seen for so many year.
4 in that pew-a face turning, as by instinct it
a mild sunlight ever and anon upon the congre
CATION while her husband broke for them th
r Bread of Life
The contrast was hardly agreeable.
G "She'll never do!' whispered lady-shadoy
!, of Miss Lanes, bending to my ear from the pew
G Just behind the one occupied. "Proud as Lu
0 cifer, any one can see Such airs won't do fo
h st. Charity"
, made no reply. Though annoyed | was We
D sensibly influenced by the remark.
n Very STILL almost ike statue sat Mrs. New
n ton, the minister's wife, and could see that tn
+ child little girl six years old, leanet
very close to her. How wished that she woult
t. turn toward the congregation How longe,
< to see her face But was not granted thi
S desire until after the mornings services wer
l. closed
o was particularly pleased with Mr.. Newton
II His sermon, in contrast with the usual discours
n es had listened to from the lips of Mr.. Whar
It ton, was a masterpiece of eloquence. No ON
: seemed to listento him with more rapt attention
n than Mrs. Newton.
II At last the services closed, and the time cam
: when my restless curiosity was TO be satisfied
: The minister's wife turned her face to the con
= gregation, had view of every feature.
k was face, once seen, to be remembered. Clas
sic almost to severity in its outline the full lip
IS and soft hazel eyes gave to it gentle expires
e sion You saw at glance that she was wo
h man of thought as well as feeling.
l. A few ladies gathered around her as she step
E,s.s IL. a.,l .,1taad that haI