Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-03-30
Sclc(t Gales.
A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE.

1t was the last day Of the Indian Confer
encc. a Il business was dispatched and the
assembled preachers waited only for that last
and most important announcement which
should decide for each the scene of the next
wears labors. 10 our Nj thodist communi.
on the bishop who presidrs over the annual
meeting called the "Couttrapce" wields the
appointing power. His word, in this matter,
has been wisely made supreme ard though,
with us degeueratlug Metacdists o! the East,
the body OF presiding elders prompts the
wisdom Of their superior, while the larger and
weathier congregations 90 one step farther
and ask privately beforehand for the man OF
their choice, in tie generous West they stick
to the primative mode, trusting TO the expe.
rieuce OF the bishop that he shall so fit the
men TO the churches that neither may be
wronged.
Nor, let it be said here to the henor Of
those venerable men, who have now for more
than hals q century exercised :his somewhat
arbitrary power has lhers often been found
just cause of complaint.
The list OF appointments is prepared during
the session OF Conference, and is KEEP. strictly
secret so that no one knew, nor could form
even probable guess at his fate. The mur
mur of voices was therefore hushed, aud all
listened as with one ear when the Bishop rose
10 solve their riddles for them.
One hy one the willing servants bowed
their accepting heads, with sigh Of relief or
sorrow, and lost their general curiosity in
their particular interest. Presently was Iead
out:
"SnorTovER STATION PACL CLIFTON"
Whereat few OF the elder brethren looked
over toward the yoang man so named, scru
.tyt,. al IL
measuring his fitness for this "Shottover
Station; while others the younger preachers,
looked up with ill,conceived JOY at their own
escape.
For they we're hard cases at Shottover
station. The church was small aud weak /;
the outsiders" turbulent set, irreverent to
the last degree, exceedingly sharp discovering
the preachers weak points, and very ready
to take advantage of them. A very strong.
bold OF Satan was ShottOver, where the poor
minister need hope for but small pay aud less
respect, aud might think himself lucky il be
got of with hole bones. Opce or twice,
indeed in years past, they had driven the
newly appointed man away by force OF their
brawny arms and lesthe:y lungs and once
taking an exceeding dislike to young man,
just from college, and serving here bis first
year land who, as they complained, knew
everything, they had combined together
and literally starved him ont.
! Therefore Shottoyer was place to be
avoided by all means plague spot which had
driven several tender. hearted men into Other
conferences and to which now for some
\ years the youngest member was, by general
agreement of the bishop with his subordna
tes, sent to make trial OF his budding powers
just as boys who have run away from home
to sea on their first voyage placed in charge
of the sky-sals and royal studding sails, &c
loose and furl them. Whereby at least those
whose romance lies but skn.deep, and who
we're indeed called, bu. not chosen, grow Il
hate the glorious seq life in the precise pro
portion as they scrape the skin off their ten
der b Ds, aud are glad at the first pOr., L
run away home again.
Which | take to be fine example OF Mr.
Darwins recently advanced theory of"Natu
raj Selection"
Paul Clifton, who sat in pleased uncon
scloosness little on one side Of the room
like young bear, all his sorrows befor
him, was recent acquisition to the Confer
ence, lie had graduated with honor tw
years before at Theological Institute in tb
East had preached experimentally, an
very acceptably, on various occasions, L
different city and country congregations, ha
taken a run over to Europe" and was no,
countec promising young man, whom an
D Conference would be glad to receive whe
To-! to The surprise and disappointment OF hi
friends, be set his face Westward, and q,
= chewing the hesh pots Of New York, rest
d Iutely wandered into the desert of Indian,
saother John Baptist, said Miss Thomss;p
looos. romantic Young lady Who vi
shrewdly susPrrirJ o. l,,lu. upou tie n,