The new South. [volume] (Port Royal, S.C.) 1862-1867, 1863-05-02

TAKING Up A CoLLECTIoN.-Rarely have We had
better story. or q better told story, than this,
! from reverend gentleman in Missouri:
/ The life of a preacher in new country, from
secular point of view, is hardly as smooth and free
| from difficulty as a position in more populous
communities appears to be. The people arc thin
" scattered here and there, engaged in different
pursuits though chiefly agricultural. Being col
lected from all parts Of the older States, and gath
cred from every class of society, they meet upon
! the same common ground, upon terms of easy
familiarity, and restrained by no irksome conven-
! tionalities. People in new country generally
have pretty hard time of it. They live sort Of
rough and tumble" life, wearing their best efforts
in struggle for existence. Under these circum-
stances the material sometimes absorbs the spirit
lal; and the people not unfrequently "get so far
behind with the preacher that they have fire.
quently to be powerfully Sc stirred up" from the
pulpit.
On one occasion We had visit from the presi-
ding elder Of our district at one of our quarterly
meetings. We had not paid our preacher cary
dime," as the boys say, and we expected score
! from the elder.
Well. we were not disappointed. The elder
preached US moving discourse from the text,
O,re no man anything.' At the close of his SER
mon, he came at once to the subject in hand'
Brethren" said he, sshave you paid Brother
-, anything this year, Nothing at all l under
stand. Well, now, your preacher can'tlive on the
| air, and You must pay up-pay up that's the idea
lie needs twenty-five dollars and must have 1t!
Steward, wen take up collection now"
| Here some of the audience near the door began
! to "s slide out >
"Don't run! don't rum" exclaimed the elder.
Steward, lock that door and fetch me the key!"
he continued. coming down out of the pulpit and
taking his seat by the stand-tab!e in front.
The steward locked the door, and then deposi-
ted the key on the table by the side of the elder
"Now, steward y said he, ego round with the
hat. must have twenty-five dollars out of this
crowd before one of you shall leave this house."
Here was a 's fix" The congregation weie
taken all aback. The old folks looked astonished;
proceeded in the discharge of his official duties.
The hat was passed around, and at length deposi-
ted on the elders table. The elder poured out
.sthe funds on the table. and counted the amount.
"Three dollars and half! A SLOW start, breth-
ren! Go round again, steward. We must pull
mp heap stronger than that!"
Around went the steward with his hat again,
and finally pulled up at the elders stand.
g. Nine dollars and three-qnarters Not enough
yet Go iound again, steward!'
Around goes the steward the third time.
"Twelve dollarsand half! Mighty slow breth-
rem 'Fraid your dinners will get cold before yon
get home to eat them. Goround again, steward"
! By this time the auiienee began to get fidgety.
They evidently thought the joke was getting to be
serious. But the elder was relentless. Again and
again circulated the indefatigatle hat, and slowly.
slowly but surely, the " pile' on the table swell
ed to the requisite amount.
.sTwenty-four dollars and half! Only lack
Ihalf dollar. Go round again, steward.
lust then ther. was tap on the window from
the outside; hand was thrust in holding half
dollar between the thumb and finger, and young
fellow outside excaimed
- Here, Rarson, heres your money: Let my gal
out o. there Pm tired of waiting for her.
1t was the last hair that broke the camePs
back; and the preacher could cxclam in the ln-
guage of " Ike Turtle" "This ere meetins done,
bust up!"