The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-10-21
THE MINISTER OF WALFORD.
BY MARTIN A. LOMBARD.

The quiet town of Walford was set in the
most terrible commotion, by the advent of a
| new minister. Old Parson Springer had "dis-
pensed with the gospel" as Mrs Higgins said
for thirty five or forty years and all the pref
'udices of the elder portion of the congregation
were aroused against having any innovation
upon tho pulpit, in the shape of modern
preacher. But Mr.. Springer had evidently
outlived his usefulness; ard the greater num-
Der of the peop were clamorous for change.
Old Mrs. Hurley said it was shame-so it
was-to turn r: Springer out to die, like an
old horse and Squire Billings declared that
che nor his'n shouldn't have nothing to do
with turning him out, nor getting another in
Bpt the majority were in favor of a new min
lister and a new church and Mr.. Springer had
the modification of knowing that a paper was
actually in circulation, and funds already sub
serlbcd to get new church built, when he
had frequently. been obliged to wait long
time for his scaDty salary, on account of the
alledged poverty of the first parish
The old church was sold and removed, and
the foundation laid for new one and the
minister had leave given him to withdraw He
gathered together the little property which he
had accumulated, sold his house, and bought
a little place out of town, where he advertised
for pupils to board and educate Poor old
man his heart was too screly crushed by the
ingratitude he had met with from those whom
he had christened, married, and whose dead
he had buried, to allow of seeking another
congre cation so he compromised with the
pride which he had left in his heart, and per-
nitted the people Of Ashland to think that he
retired from the ministry for his own pleasure
In passing, I may as well say that he succeed
ed admirably and that "his last days were bet
ter than his first"
To return to the Walford church Meetings
were called, sewing circles organized, and
moneys raised and, in as short time as poss.
ibie the church was completed. 1t cost two
thousand dollars over the first computation
but then, after they had begun, they could not
fall back. The ladies of the sewing circles
furnished the cushions, the Juvenile Society
gave the new bible and hymn book for the
pulpit, and now nothing remained but to |, ct
the minister; and this was much gleater |
task than building the church.
A large number of candidates appeared, |
preached their sermons, and were dismissed !
The people of Walford first parish were grow |
ing fastidious. They ez pected man of rare
talents and superior oratorical powers to preach |
IN that Few Church and the very people who |
made difficulty of paying Mr. Sprint er four
or five hundred dollars a year, now talked |
largely about q thousand or twelve hundred
dollar minister. The number of candidates
had now dwindled down to two, and the par
ish were to make choice between them. A
great many would have liked the Rev erend
Mr. Haskins, man who wore turned collar,
a shawl and white vest. He was very s;ren-
nous upon points Of doctrine. and his discour
ses were rather prosy than otherwise He was
rivalled IN the affections of the people, howev
er, by Mr. Gray, a man of unpretending man.
ners and address, and thoroughly practical
preacher. Notwithstanding the opposition of
Mr.. Haskins' friends, Mr.. Gray carried the
day, and was settled as pastor over the first
parish. His salary was fixed at twelve hund-
red, and handsome house offered for his dis.
posal at reasonable rent close to the church.
He closed with the offer, and brought his sis
ter, pretty young lady, to keep house 70,
him. ~
This disappointed great many persons. who
had each expected to have the minister to
board but some frightened up with the idea
oi having all his arrangements t., make, sup
posing MS sister to be young and inexperi-
enced girl She proved, however, to be lad,
of ripe years. perfecty accustom ed to house
keeping, and refusing the first offers of assist
lnce SO promptly and decidedly, as to leave no
chance to renew them.
Under her care the minister's house was
IePt in spotless neatness at least SO for as the
'arior }, and study were concerned /; for the par
shloners never got beyond that part of the
lonse although many ha ! trie to make some :
xcnse for getting there. Miss Gray was an :
experienced soldier, and had no idea of having
ny surprise upon her movements. ..
In vain old Mrs. Tvaddles asked what cook. :
ng stove they used, or Miss Finlkin the par-
n dress maker wished to be informed as 10 :
ne precise length OF the bed chambers; Miss
iray gave the name of the stove maker, and !.
ne measure of the rooms. with tn, most pro- =
oking calmness, as if she did not kpoB how =
nxious her questioners were to get sight At
er house, and report. With ali this, there
ere yet several of the old school, who still =
,ntinued to mourn the downfall of the old P
lurch, and the ancient ministerial SWAY of :. g
II. Springer; and by these people Mr. Gray 3
as held in small repate. They sighed for !, !,
e time when the minister was dressed differ. %
ltly from other men and were scandalized !.
Mr. Grsy's vayingshair, and his reputation = =
the white achoker. = =