The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-03-23
THE WIFE, OF OUR NEW MINISTER.


of good old Mr.. Wharton, and his amiable,
compliant wife, came to the conclusion that a
different kind of preacher, with different kind
of wife, would vastly improve their spiritual
condition. There was alack of strength about
j Mr.. Wharton ESQ it was alleged, and certain
prominent ladies in the church had wished
1 faloud) SO often that Mrs Wharton were less
old-fashioned in her ways that change, sooner
or later, had come to be settled thing in the
| minds; of a majority. It was simply ques-
ton of time; and time settled the question:
The change was made. Old Mr.. Wharton and
his wife retired, and Rev. Mr.. Newton and his
wife took their places in the pastorate of the
congregation say "Mr Newton and his
wife" for our people think, or used to think,
that when they ''hired 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 the change was made, and did not re-
turn until after Mr.. Newton and his wife had
been doing duty for something over three
months
CHOW do you ike the new minister ?" was
among tbs first of my inquiries
Giles charming preacher" was the reply
I received on every hand. Yet saw, by the
manner of my friends, that some drawback ex-
isted. ~ -s5F
| "How do you like his wife ?''
| ALL The little mystery was explained Mr..
| Newton was well enough But his wifel
| "What kind of a woman is she?" / asked.
5"Don't know. Can't make her out" was
| the vague answer recelTed- --
-.sfs She anything ike Mrs. Wharton"
| ''Oh dear, no 1 only wish she was. Why,
| she dosen't take particle of interest in the
church. Hasn't been to one of the monthly
concerts for prayer; nor to the weekly sewing
circle; nor even to the Sabbath school
| l saw at glance, that there was trouble
| ahead; for Miss Phoebe Lane, who made me
this communication, was an active 'seirculating
medium in the congregation. She knew
everybody's business, talked to every body, and
acted as opinion-maker to a large majority of
ladies who had too much to do in their fami-
lies to have time for Independent thinking in
church matters. s~7Tl - -
At last the matterassumed so serious shape
in the minds of certain leading ladies in the
parish that it was, determined to wait upon
Mrs. Newton and demonstrate with her on the
course of conduct she was pursuing-''a course
of conduct" urged Miss Lane, "that is work
ing untold injury in our church"
A committee of ladies-Miss Lane at the
head of them and voluntary spokeswoman-
finally undertook to set Mrs. Newton right in
regard to her duties to the parish of st. Char
ity, and formally waited upon her for that pur
pose. Curiosity prompted me to accept
offered membership in that committee Let
me picture the interview with Mrs. Newton.
We found her sitting in her orderly arranged
little parlor, her person as neat as everything
around her. and her three children as sweet and
pure as May blossoms. Two were playing on
the floor, and the babe slept in the cradle, that
was drawn so close to the mother that she
could touch the rocker, if need he with her foot
She was sewing on shirt for her husband
Four ladies made up the committee formi-
dable number. Mr.. Newton was away, attending
the funeral of poor laborer's child-so the
coast was clear, and the culprit in our power.
With an easy grace the minister's wife re-
ceived US, and after we were all seated she step
ped to the door and spoke to her girl, who was
in the kitchen. A smart tidy looking domes-
tic came forward, and Mrs. Newton said to her,
with kindness of manner that / could not
help noticing.
'sTake Aggy and George into the garden,
Jane, and keep them till I call you"
A grave silence followed. The committee
was embarrassed, but the ministers wife entire
ly at her ease. !
'We have come,2' said Miss Lane, after sun
dry preliminary throat clearing and bridling
motions of the head peculiar to herself, ''to
have little conversation with you about our
church matters"
''Hadn't you better talk on that subject with
my husband?' was answered, with the utmost
self-composure at is his particular province" |
'sNo, ma'am," said Miss Lane, her voice |
gaining emphasis: "we have no fault to find
with Mr.. Newton He does his part entirely
to our satisfaction" 1
"Oh! I understand" Mrs Newton spoke
as if light were breaking into her mind.
eyes ma'am," Miss Lane went on, ''it is
your duty in the church that we have come to |
talk atout anil not your husbands; ;n1 hope
you will not take,it i'll of US if we speak out
plainly"
'tNot by any means" replied Mrs. Newton.
I noticed slight quiver, in her voice, slight
flushing of her ckeeks, and Frightening of I
her soft hazel eyes. But it was plain that she
was fully selfpossessed, and in no way intimi-
dated by this nnexnected citation To alaarer for
''Not by any means" she repeated. "Speak
out plainly, and if in anything have been
derelict, 1 will confess my fault, and do all I
can to lead better life.'
'sPlain speaking is always best" said our
oracularly $50 we viii speak
plainly. The fact is, Mrs. Newton, you have
failed almost entirely to meet the expectations
of our people,
"Indeed I am grieved tolearn this" Mrs.
Newton spoke seriously, but with no sign of
''I was not before aware that the
people had any special claims upon me.
'tNo special claims upon youH' Miss Lane
uttered the words in undisg guis:d astonshment.
NO special claims r' she repeated, Nand you
'What do you expect of me?' calmly in
luired Mrs. Newton.
oWe have slready intimated our expecta-
ions in various ways. There is the girls SEN
or class in Sunday school; that, of course, we !
expected you to take. And you are wanted on
he visiting Committee and in our Missionary :
Society Unless minister's wife takes the
cad in the temporalities of the church, moth
ng will prosper"
ssThen," said Mrs. Newton, ''it is understood S
hat while my husbands duties relate mainly a
o the spiritualities of the church mine have '
pecial regard to its temporalities." c
Certainly, ma'am! You have expressed the
Inference of relation exactly" replied Miss
4ane, led on by the peculiar way in which /
Irs. Newton put the question to admit the ex- 7
'~~t of very wide range of duties as re- 6
lmre1 of that lady by the congregation of st.
Jharitys>. lt