St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1867-09-27
said unto Jesus, and who is my neigh

'."N' hi'"iSuo VI iiiSiI, HliSSHt uU thCsC
Colonore people good. But that must
be after he had taught them to respect
him and his faith ; and to like him, per-
sonally, as we'll
Just now as it was all important 10
him to please them he must treat them
TO ''smooth things" The discourse he
had selected would soothe rather than
alarm. In it the river of life flowed
through the ''Hvlng green" Of celestial
meadows. On peaceful nights the "many
mansions rose, fair and stately in the
eternal light. Through the golden streets
walked harperS, harping in tune. To-
ward these pleasant haunts he beckoned
them gently. The whole was more
dream of a poet than a prophets warning
cry. Surel;, Colonore would listen and
approve.
1t was nightfall when he reached his
journeys end, Already the streets were
lighted, and he was astonished to see
what Il city-like aspect the place wore.
The gentleman whose wife Lad been the
handspring of the movement to send for
him, met him as he stepped from the
train.
The Rev. Mr.. Eastman?" ne asked,
holding out cordial hands.
Mr.. Eastman bowed.
My name is Garfield-you have mite
my WIFE
And the minister was hurried into a
light open carriage and driven away
rapidly, his companion keeping up a
constant flow of easy talk lie stopped
once to point out the church-a gray
stone building, handsome and substantial.
A faint tluiter of worldly pride stirred in
the country parsons heart. 1t would be
pleasant to be pastor of such 4 church
And the congregation, if these Gartied,
were specimens, would be sIch people as
Alice belonged to, as their children ought
to grow up among.
He passed the evening in making him
self agreeable, and learning what he
could about the arrangements of the
church. The salary was fifteen hundred
dollars. That seemed riches to Mr.
Eastman. but he said nothing when Mr.
Garfield suggested tha: they could easily
afford to raise it if they were entirely sat
iSticd The candidate was to preach,
and directly after the service OF the morn
ing Il meeting was TO be held to decide
upon his claims. He had come TO them
50 highly recommended that the commit
tee having the matter in charge had
thought Immediate action expedient in
his case, although such meetings were
usually held Gil week days.
The minister went to bed late, his
brain in whrl. He was thankful to
| ne 50 EtIlliliuI with lis sermon that he
need moi look at it. That was all right
well for him that it was 50, for nevel
had he felt 50 incapable of constructing q
single sentence.
He rose late again the next morning
and it was not until Just before churcl
that he found i moment 10 try and quiet
his mind. and bring his heart into har
mony with the work before him. Aitel
he had kneIt to ask for aid AMI strength
he hastily untoldcd the manuscript of hi
sermon. and started to his feet with ;
cry Of dismav. BY what unlucly chanc'
had he brought the wrong parcel? Ill
had lone believed that there was no sucl
thing as accident, but belief, faith, hope
all seemed slipping away trom him now
The text of the sermon he was to preac'
the only sermon he had with him
!. stared him in the face. L. was not Il
my Fathers house are many mansions,
but "Who is my neighbor ~
What should he do? He had neve
extemporizcd discourse in his life
/. least of all could he do 50 now, with tn
rwhirling anxious brain. For one wca
} moment he was tempted to telgn-;n
| there would have been very little teisnln
D about ia sudden indispoSition, and r.
, fuse TO preach at all He threw himsc
upon his knees in utter helplessness an
e prayer. When the time of service a
5 rived he rose to his feet, strengthened
0 heart A noble purpose had been boz
c within him. 1t was meant that /
e should preach this very sermon, and L
# other-should he refuse to do his Ma
t ter's work Z? 1t would lose him in b
5 opening for new career-what OF tina
5 if it should quicken one soul to ne
r life
y Mrs Garfield thought his face shol
like the face of an angel when he can
: out to walk to church with her and h
Ii husband. And, indeed, for this once,
" never again, he felt himself Gods me
n Senger.
He went through the preliminary Sc
+ vices calmly and reverently. His a
Of pearance pleased the people Of Colonor
lie but of this he took no thought. His ho
D was no longer in them. When he a
lie nounced his text his voice rang out Gle
e. and strong. Then he looked round fol
0, moment, over that full and fashionat
at congregation-those we'll to do men, a
ID graceful, faul.lessly dressed women-a
o. again his tones sounded solemnly abo
e. them. ''Wbo IS my neighbor ~
ly Verify, Colonore heard such wor
lie that day as Colonore had never heard
i'd fore-was taught then where to look
at the ncighbor. If she ever forgot aft
S, wards, the sin be upon her and her chi
rem; Henry Eastman's skirts would
ol clear of it. In all wrong doers-in erin
" stained men; in outcast women, such
nd the Lord drew with cords of love TO !
Is, very feet and then forgave; in all dow
RS trodIen and oppressed races; he b;
lot them see the neighbors whom they W
as called upon to aid-woe be to them
no they passed by on the wrong side.
by one who knew that congregation wo
St have believed that they would have
ar still through such sermon. But s.
he was upon them which they seemed p'
as, erless to break Full of rage as some