Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-05-05
CHAP. 1.-THE SERMON pRAcrIcED.

The young parson, after delivering hi
discourse to the entire satisfaction of hi
congregation, returned home to hear hi
sermon criticised by his father and ap
plaaded by his mother during the re
mainder Of the day.
But as the day retired to admit the
night, the young pastor thought how
pleasant it would be to go and spend al
hour or two in the society of his deares
Minnie. OF course Minnie was aware o.
his coming; so she waited his arriva
with the sweetest of patience, having pre-
yiously resolved in her mind what che
should say Of the sermon in question.
AS she sat in her easy chair, with heI
Bible in her hand, engaged in reading
the identical chapter from which the
young minister had selected his text, she
presented such lovely picture of iemi
nine beauty, that, we presume, if St
Paul had seen her, he never would have
written that passage of Scripture which
old bachelors are pleased to read thus
=" He that marries doeth well but be
that doth not marry, doeth better"
So we ought not to blame the gallant
parson because he gazed through the hall
open window in admiration of the lovely
Minnie before he acknowledged his pres
ence by turn of the bell-knob. As
the door-bell told of the parsons arrival
with such sweet little tinkle as only
young ladies who are awaiting the com.
ing of a lover can appreciate, Minnie
arose and welcomed the pastor with as
fascinating a smile as ever lovely belle
bestowed on gallant knight
HReading, | perceive r remarked the
parson after the ceremonies of meeting
were over. ~ tt
"Yes, was reading the chapter, or
more particularly, the verse from which
you selected your text, " resumed Minnie
:" In hope of discovering some of the
defects of my discourse" added Martyr,
with tone and gesture approaching
raillery. ALI4 q
son, no, said Minnie, with roghish
twinkle of her lustrous eyes, "but to dis
cover my faults.
Impossible that you succeeded p
again remarked Martyr, in his ironical
way. 81 84Vi JI.ral. tH-
Il was so successful in my discove-
ries as to find j had at least one serious
fault, returned Minnie.
"That of censuring yourself for imagi-
nary faults, perhaps, suggested Martyn
mo, that of chiding you for real ones, :"
replied Minnie.
"Then you know have faults p con-
tinued Martyr.
" Beyond Doubt answered Minnie.
/" Please to kindly remind me of them,
then, that may the better correct them,
proposed Martyr.
~ would if it was not that am afraid
of offending you" resumed Minnie,
:" Do not allow your fears to prevent
you from telling my faults, plead Mar
tyn.
"Then you would not be offended if
others should practice what you preach ?
asked Minnie.
Certainly not" he answered
"Then allow me to kindly remind you
that your worst fault is want of curl
osiiy."
A curious fault, | must admit, if you
will prove its existence, said Martyr.
ALLOW me to illustrate this fault, 3"
said Minnie
with pleasure" he returned
"You know" began Minnie, " that
during the last three years you have been
paying and still are, your derourS to me :,
we'll, the fault which | wish to illustrate
is this, that you have never had the
curiosity to propose here Minnie
stopped a moment, and then said,
"0h, am so afraid / shall offend
you, Martyr, that l dare not proceed !
Never fear, but proceed to illustrate
my fault, for begin to believe it is a
serious one" said Martyr.
lowell, as l had commenced to say,
that you had never had the curiosity to
propose the question whether or not l
was dissatisfied with single bessedness,
concluded Minnie.
"Well, | admit that it is grievous
fault; and, in hopes that may correct
it, | ask, are you dissatisfied with single
blessednessY
+" / am" emphatically answered Min
ME.
Then, will you allow me to conduct
you to the realms Of matrimonial bliss
he asked.
"I will" was the gratifying response.
"Then, am the happiest man in Mays
yillel'' exclaimed Martyn-
And SO he proved to be; for ere the
young parson had delivered many more
sermons, he led the beautiful Minnie An
drews to the hymenial altar, where the
aged Parson Gray solemnized their nup-
tials in the presence of the good eongre-
CATION of Maysville And slough many
years have passed since then-years
which have wrought many changes to
the little congregation of Maysvilie and
their pastor Martyr Gray still remains
their Shepherd and is known by his dis
tant friends as the talented pastor of
Msysville.
Minnie, or as she is now known, the
Rev. Mrs. Gray, is nearly as beautiful as
in her younger days, and frequently re-
lates the success which attended her
practicing her husbands first sermon.