Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-11-07
PARsoN sURELy's EXPERIMENT..
A SKETCH ReR WEATHER sRuMpLERs.

were uearly all farmers AID they did not have
much money to bestow upon the support of
clergyman; yet they were willing to pay for
anything that could promise them any due re.
turn of good In course of time it happened
that the Rev. Abraham Surely visited Fallow-
dale, and as Sabbath passed during his So
iourn, he held meeting in the small church.
The people were pleased with his preaching,
and some of them proposed inviting him to re-
main with them, and take charge of their spir-
itual welfare.
Upon the merits of this proposition there was
long discussion. Parson Surely had signifed
his willingness to take permanent residence
at Fallowdale, but the members of the parish
could not so readily agree to hire him.
~ don't see the use of hiring parson," said
Mr.. Sharp, an old farmer Of the place. "He
can do us no good. parson can't learn me
anything"
To this it was answered that stated religious
meetings would be of great benefit TO some OF
the younger people, and also source OF good
to all.
~ don't know about that. I've heard tell of
n parson that could pray for rain, and have it
come at any time. Now if we could hit upon
such parson as that, would go in for hiring
him."
This opened new idea to the unsophisticat-
ed minds of Fallowdale The farmers often
suffered from long droughts, and after arguing
a while longer, they agreed to hire Parson Sure
Nv, on the condition thai he should giue them
rain pheneper they ,oished for it, and on the
other hand, that he acottld also give them fair
sceather ,chen required
Deacons Smith and Townsend we're deputized
to make this arrangement known to the par
son. and the people remained in the church
while the messengers were gone upon their ar
rand.
When the deacons returned, Mr.. Surely ac-
companied them. He smiled as he entered the
church, and with bow he saluted the people
there assembled.
"Well my friends" he said, as he assembled
the platform in front of the desk, 81 have heard
your request to me, strange as it may appear, |
have come to accept your proposal but do it
only on one condition, and that is that your
request for change of weather must be unani-
NOUS"
This appeared very reasonable, since every
member of the parish had deep interest in the
farming business, and ere long it was arranged
that Mr.. Surely should become their pastor, and
he should give the people rain when they want
ed it.
When Mr.. Surely returned TO his lodgings,
his wife was utterly astounded on learning the
nature of the contract her husband had enter
break up his connection with the parish but
the people would not listen to it. They had
become attached to him and the meeting and
they wished him to stay.
"But can no longer rest under our former
contract with regard to the weather." said the
pastor.
'Nor do we wish you to-" returned Sharp
"Only preach to US, and teach us and our chill
dren how to live, and help us to he social, con
tented, and happy"
"And," added the pastor, while tear o
pride stood IN his eye, "all things above ou
proper sphere we will leave with God, for 81
doth all things WE'LL"
The hour Of the meeting came round, ant
Parson Surely met his people at the church
They were all there-some anxious, the re
mainder curious.
"Now, my friends" said the PASTOR arisin
upon the platform, 81 have come to hear you
request. What is it"
awe want rain" bluntly spoke Farmer Sharp
sand you know you promised to give it 10 US.
"Ay-rain--rain," repeated half a doze
voices.
"Very well. Now, when do you want to hav
ftp"
"To-night. Let it rain all night long" sale
Sharp, to which several others Immediately as
sented.,
mo, no, not tonight" cried Deacon Smith
81 have six or seven tuns of well made hay i
the field. and would not have it wet for any
thing"
$50 have hay out" added Mr.. Peck. "W
won't have it rain tonight"
"Then let it be tomorrow"
at will take me all day tomorrow to get m
hay in," said Smith.
Thus the objections came up for the two SUI
ceeding days, and at length, by way of CON
promise, Mr.. Sharp proposed that they Shout
have rain in Just four days.
"For," said he, 'by that time all the ha
which is now cut can be got in, and we nee
not cut any"
"Stop, stop" uttered Mrs. Sharp, pullin
her worthy husband by the sleeve. "That
the day we have set to go to Snowfall.
mustn't rain then"
This was law Tor Mr.. Sharp, SO he propose
that the rain should come in one week. an
then sat down.
rain before then, we'd better not have it at all,
said they.
In short, the meeting resulted in Just no cor
clusion at all, for the good people found it III
terly impossible TO agree upon time when
should rain.
"Until you can make up your minds on th
point" said the pastor, as he was about leavin
the church, 1--WE must all trust in the Lord.
And after this the people followed him froI
the church.
Both Deacon Smith and Mr. Peck got thei
hay safely in; but on the very day Mr.. Shar
was to have started for Snowfall, il began {
rain in good earnest. Mr.. Sharp lost his visi
but he met the disappointment with good grac,
for his crops smiled at the rain.
Ere another month had passed by, anothe
meeting was called for petition for rain, br
with the same result as before. MANY of III
people had the muck to dig, and rain woul
prevent them. Some wanted it immediately
some in one, some in two, and some in tire
days, while other Pensioners wanted to put
of longer. So Mr.. Surely had no occi
sion to call for rain.
One year rolled by, and up to that time tn
people of Fallodwale had never once been alb
to agree upon the exact kind of weather the
would have, and the esut was that they bega
TO open their eyes to the fact that this worl
would be a strange place if is inhabitan
should govern it.
On the last Sabbath in the first year of NJ
Surely's settlement at Falowdale, he offered
wait for the result.
"But you know you cannot make it rain
persisted Mrs. Surely, land you know, too, thu
the farmers here will be wanting rain very o
ten when there is none for them. You will
disgraced."
81 will teach them lesson" returned the pa