Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-07-02

UOWn here anu let tne peopic KNOW, IL
any were gathered for monthly confer
ence, the reason Of the minister's alb
sence. His wife is sick, and he got out
of dry wood yesterday. This morning
he expected Il load, but il didn't come, SO
he had to hire a team and go after it.
He said he should try hard to get back by
half past two; but if he failed, ! must en-
deavor to leave his wife long enough to
let the people who might gather at the
vestry know the cause of his absence.
Mrs. Denham is so sick, and | have had
such struggle 20 keep her room COM
Portable with the green wood, that have
not been able to get down here till now.
Il am sorry there is sickness in Mr..
Denham's family said Bro. Smith.
Ministers are very apt to have sickly
wives, believe
You are right. and no wonder, re-
turned the lady.
Il don't know why you say that, re-
marked Bro. Smith.
1t would require an unusually strong
constitution to endure the anxiety to
which minister's wives are ordinarily sub
jected, said the lady.
'Anxicticsn repeated Bro. Smith, ''what
anxietieS have they beyond people in gen
eral?
Most women when they eat one meal,
have some tolcrably definite idea As TO
where the nextis to come FROM was the
response. but minister's wives don't al
ways have this comfortable assurance.
know Mrs. Denham don't
Are the minister's family complaining
of their lare amongl p asked Bro. Smith
rather sensitivcly.
'No,-at least never heard them COM
plain of anything, though how woman
can get along as Mrs. Denham does is
surprising to me. In feeble health, with
two small children, company at mo-
meni's warning; and often the slender
est stock out of which to prepare accept
able food to set before guests; poor. in
convenient house, scanty furniture, and
never months wood in the shed, even
| in the dead of winter
'You are making out quite case. in
terruptcd Bro Brown, but | don't know
who is to blame for this state of things.
When Mr. Denham came among US, we
subscribed certain sums for his support,
and oxpccted 10 meet our obligations like
christian men. He knew about the sum
we would be able To raise. Had he
deemed it insufficient TO meet the wants
of his f,mily, he WAS at liberty to say as
much. and seek some other field of labor.
The lady bowed, and glanced about the
vestry.
How many came in to attend monthly
conference she inquired.
Only myself and Bro. Brown Bro
Smith replied Religion is at low cbb
with US. We had been dcploring the
lukewarm state of our church when You
entered
What did you conclude was the cause
of it'' asked the lady, resting against a
slip and putting her feet to the warm
stove.
We think there are more causes than
one Bro. Smith replied. Il suppose
some of us may have neglected duties
and thus displeased our master. Then
we are all apt, more or less, to lean or
the minister, and ours doesn't seem TO be
in the place he was some months ago
Bro. Brown and have been considering
whether or no, when the year was up
il will not be as well TO let him 60, and
try another one
Then you have become dissatisfied
with Mr.. Denham,' said the lady.
We'll, we should not wish to say that
exactly was the reply. Perhaps the
man does US well as he can, though he
has not the life and power of some min
listers. have not been as blest under hi:
preaching as expected to be at the out
set, and Bro. Browns experience CORE
spends with my own.
Yes said Bro. Brown, approaching
Il confess Mr.. Denham has not come ul
10 nv expectations. When he first came
among Us, thought he was going to b'
an instrument in the hands Of God Of &C
complishing much good in our church an'
community; but these prospects are now
quite overcast. 1t looks gloomy ahead
Mr.. Denham has lost much of his spiritu
atty, or am no judge of such matters
The blessing obtain from his administra
ton is very small
If YOU have got five dollar blessing
don't know what more you can expect,
said the lady, in quiet tone of voice.
Her words were electric. Thetwo mel
looked quickly at each other, and turned
their steps toward the door.
Bro. Smith and Bro. Brown communet
with themselves that night. They were
both worth their thousands. The little
woman at the vestry was dependant OF
her own exertions for support. Yet OF
the mi nister's subscription list her name
was down for an equal sum with Bro
Smith and Bro. Brown, and she had foun'
no dearth Of spirituality in Mr.. Denham'