Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-11-23
Gboif 1iteratnre.
THE PARSONS ROSE
BIZ W. D. EATON.

bf NJ o. EATON.
When the natural beauties Of the III
lage of Thorndale had become known i,
people Of the neighboring city, many r;icl
families showed their appreciation Of tb,
lovely region by making it their home. i
: The influx Of wealth IN his wav bal
great influence in adding t. popalatiel
and prosperity Faesogies, sfs3fes,. .dveI
hugh, etc, sprang up on every hand. Is |
by magic, and Nature and Art seemed vic
ing with each other to see which could d
the most to add to the charms and com
forts of that place.
At last the people found it necessar,
to add new church to the new dignita
ries OF Thorndale. Subscriptions wer,
quick and liberal /; and in due time, an ell
egant and imposing temple of worship lif
TED ats glltteIing spire among the dark
green hills, adding to the grandeur and
beauty OF their tree crowned outlines by
the singular elegance of the contrast,
The village proper was almost leve
vale, from the circling sides of which those
Verdant hills rose, as if to guard the quiet
plano from intrusion; yet there a busy
community were hived, and there thew
toiled, sported and worshipped, and looked
with affectlonate eyes upon the natural ely-
sum wherein favoring God had settled
them.
And now, as the new church was on
the eve of completion, those who were to
worship there cast about for new preach
er. The question as to who should be the
chosen pastor of their model church. crea-
ted much excitement in the village.
Those who thought more of God and
their religion than the church expenses.
were anxlons to have an eloquent preacher
because they hoped, through his eioqueuce
to win the more converts in their path to
heaven. Those wAo considered most the
pecuniary responsibilities of the more ex
pensive society, were anxious for an elo-
quent preacher in order that converts
might be made to pay pew-rent. Others
wished an eloquent man for-the pride of
the thing, others for simply intellectual
qualification.
For weeks, old and young, rich and
poor, discussed the subject, and expressed
their taste with increasing warmth.
l hope he will be a young man. said
othor because Bible truths if g6dnd
solemn and expressive from the lips of ex-
perience.
4 should prefer middle-aged man.
said third; 'one who has the union OF
energy with wisdom
L hope he will be rich, or at least of a
high family said the proud it will seem
80 much more respectable
4 hope he will be poor said the hum
Bile, for wealthy preachers are apt to be too
consequential ...-..
And all the young women feryently
prayed that he might be handsome, what
ever his condition in life.
The adherents of the two old churches
in the village regarded the commotion with
a jealous eye; and we regret to say the.
were not sorry when the more worldly
minded people of Thorndale, who seldom
or never went to church, thinking them
selves too wise, or too good, or too bad
sneered at the new parson question, a
they called it, and said there was NOR
pride than piety in the agitation.
The worst of these irreverent mocker
collected about the village tavern-th
'Syren and Serpent ,'-emblatic, it was SUP
posed, of care, the serpent, and intoxics
ting liquor, the syren, who was presume
to lull it.
whats the use of more parsons?' erie
one of these, his inspiration flaming frol
his nose. Better pay those they've g
already s- ~.
'Them's my sentiments vrejoiced brotl
er topper. If they had more practice an
less preach, they could get along with few
meeting houses
What's the use of going to church
all 2 exclaimed another sinner again
Cod and his own conscience, his wife, ch
dren, friends and creditors haven't '
got the Bible that we can read every d.
in the week if we want to !! should III
to know who of 'em can preach like t
'postle Paul.
sOr the postle Judas added another.
No, Judas want no 'postle.'
yes, he was = fiercely insisted the 9th
you lie 7 cried the other. Judas "
no postle.
As an exempli6cation of the saying Il
the devil can quote Scripture to suit
own purposes, these brawling tosspots W,
at religious loggerhead Immediately, a
j subsequent fight obliged the host of
! 'Syren and Serpent to close his doors
fore the disputants had demolished cit
the church or each other.
Never knew any good to come of th
] religious disputes exclaimed the mortii
landlord, to his wife, after he had re-
tantly closed his housesagainst his Gu:
0 mers. IF they hadn't tetch'd that 3
: question, they might have stayed and DIR
d ed all night. But was afeard | might
vi my license. Why can't they let relis
VI alone? 1t never did them any harm 4
, And with this pious inquiry he wen
" bed.
ID But all controversies must have an
h- and at last it was resolved, by the mem
a of the society, that various preachers sh
I'd betried insuccession, and the choice sh
then be made by general election.
This plan was adopted; and during
a. trial season though the sensation was
"a abated, the discord was hushed, all tru
mhn m to the ultimate vote to give them
he preacher of their choice.
What a strange Inauguration Of a