Pomeroy weekly telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio) 1860-1866, 1861-10-18
Parson Surely's Experiment.
A SKETCH FOR WEATHER GRUMBLERs,

The small parish at Fallowdale had
been for some time without a pastor
The members were nearly all farmers,
and they did not have much money to
bestow upon the support Of a cergy
yet they were willing to pay for anything
that could promise them any due return
Of good.
In course of time, it happened that
the Rev. Abraham Surely visited Fallow-
dale, and as a Sabbath passed during his
sojourn, he held a meeting in the small
church. The people were pleased with
his preaching, and some of them pro
posed inviting him to remain with them,
and take charge Of their, spiritual vel
fare.
Upon the merits of this proposition
there was a long discussion. Parson
Surely had signifed his willingness to
take Il permanent residence at Fallow
dale, but the members of the parish
could not SO readily agree to hire him.
Il don't see the use of hiring a par
son, said Mr.. Sharp, an old farmer Of
VIC PIaSO' 4iO Sdu w Us NJ SOOu. u
parson can't learn me anything"
To this it was answered, that stated re
liglous meetings would be of great beu-
eft to some Of the younger people, and
also source of good to all.
Il don't know about that. I've heard
tell of a parson that could pray for rain,
and have it come at any time. Now, il
We could hit upon such parson as that
[ would 90 in for hiring him"
This openel new idea to the unso
phisticated minds of Fallowdale. The
farmers often suffered from long droushts
and after arguing while longer, they
agreed to hire Parson Surely, on the
condition that he should give them rain
whenever they wished for it, and on the
other hand, that he would also give
them fair weather when required. Dea.
cons Smith and Townsend were depu
tised to make this arrangement known tc
the parson, and the people remained il
the church while the messengers wen
upon their errand.
When the deacons returned Mr.. Sure
ly accompanied them. He smiled as he
entered the church, and with bow ht
saluted the people there assembled:
"Well, my friends he said, as he as
cended the platform in front Of the desk
81 have heard your request to me, ane
strange as it may appear, [ have come tt
accept your proposal; but l do it onl,
on one condition, and that is, that you
request for a change of weather must b
unanimous.
This appeared very reasonable, sine
every member of the parish had dee
interest in the farming business; and er
long it was arranged that Mr.. Surel
Ishsuld become the pastor, and that Ii
should give tie people rain when the
wanted it,
When Mr.. Surely returned to hi
lodgings his wife was utterly astounde
on learning the nature of the contrat
her husband had entered into; but tn
pastor smiled, and babe her wait for th
result.
"But you know you cannot make
rain" persisted Mrs. Surely; "and 20
know, too, that the farmers here will |
wanting rain very often when there
, none for them. You will be disgraced.
3 81 will learn them lesson leturne
the pastor.
l.. "Ay, that you cannot be as good ;
your word; and when you have learne
it to them, they will turn you off,
"We shall see, was Mr.. Surely's r.
Y ply, and he took up book and con
h menced reading.
C This was signal for the wife to d
= sist from further conversation on tho SUI
= !ject, and she obeyed.
i Time few on, aud the hot days