Daily Kennebec journal., 1875-12-10
,-oro that Icould possibly desire-witl

| | was still an unmarried man, iouou IL
| it desirable, on many accounts, to add 10
| nv resources. Following the example OF
other young clergymen in my position, |
| determined TO receive pupils who might
stand in need of preparation for career
| at the universities. My relatives exerted
themselves; and my good fortune still be-
| friended me. I obtained twol pupils to
| start with. A third would complete the
,suaaber which was at present prepared
to receive In course OF time this third
| pupil made his appearance, under crcum-
| stances sufficiently remarkable to merit
| being mentioned in detail.
Ii was the summer vacation; and my
two pupils had gone home. Thanks to Il
neighboring clergyman, who kindly IN
| derlook TO perform my duties for me, !,
too, obtained iortnight's holiday, which
spent at my fathers house in London.
! During my soiourn in the metropolis, |
| was offered an opportunity OF preaching IN
church, made famous by the eloquence
| of one of the popular pulpit orators OF our
| time. In accepting the proposal, 1 lclt
naturally anxious 10 do my best, before
| the unusually large and unusually intelli-
| gent congregation which would he assem-
bod to hear me.
Atthe period ol which an now -pcah
| iug, all England had been startled by the
discovery OF a terrible crime, perpelrated
under circumstances OF extreme proVoca-
ton. | chose this crime as the main sub
ject of my sermon. Admitting that the
best among lis were frail mortal creatures
subject to evil promptings and provoca-
tions like the worst among US, my
object was 10 show how Christian man
can find his certain refuge from temp'a.
ton in the safeguard OF his religion.
dwelt misutely on the hardships OF the
Christian first struggle 10 resist the cvil
infiuence--on the help which this Chris
tianity ineXhauslibly held out to him III
the worst relapses OF the weaker and viler
part of his nature-on the steady and Ger.
tain gain which was the ultimate reward
of his faith and his lirmness-and on the
blessed sense peace and happiness which
accompanied ,he final triumph. Preach
ing to this effect, with the tcrycnt convlc
ton which really felt | may say for my
self, at least, that did no discredit TO the
choice which had placed INC in the pulpit.
! held the attention OF my congregation
from the first word to the last.
While | was resting in the yestry on the
conclusion Of the service, note was
brought to me written in pencil. y mem
Der of my congregational gentleman
| wished to sec me on matter OF consider
| able importance to himself. lie would
call on me at any place, and at any hour.
which might choose 10 appoint 1T |
| wished to be satisfied o. his respectability.
he would beg leave TO refer me 10 his
father, with whose name might possibly
be acquainted.
The name given i'll the reference was
! undoubtedly familiar to me, as the name
of man oil some celebrity and influence
in the world OF London. sent back my
card, appointing an hour for The visit oi
my correspondent on tn" afternoon OF the
| mex; day.
SECOND PAEr-NI.
The stranger made his appearance pune
tuallv. | guessed him to be some two or
three years Younger than myself lie was
undeniablv handsome; his manners were
the manners OF gcntleman-and yet,
without knowing why, felt a strong dis
like TO him the moment he entered the
room.
After the first preliminary words OF ro-
liteness had been exchanged between us,
my visitor informed me as follows OF the
object which he had in view:
II believe YOU live in the country, sir ?
he began
II i've III The West oi England an
swered.
'Do you make long stay in Lon
dom
"No. | 20 back TO my rcctory i3-mor-
row.
May ask if yon take pupils p
Yes"
Have you any vacancy
II have one vacancy.
would you object to let me 60 back
with you tomorrow, as your pupil
The abruptness OF the proposal took me
by surprise. hesitated.
In the first place Gas | have 5already
said) disliked him. In the second place,
he was too old to be fit companion for
my other two pupils--bolh lads in their
teens. In the third place, he had asked
me to receive him at least three weeks be-
fore the vacation came to an end. had
my own pursuits and amusements in pros
pect during that interval, and saw no rea-
son why | should Inconvenience myself
by setting them aside.
He noticed my hesitation and did not
conceal from me that | had disappointed
him.
II have j, very much to heart, he said,
ito repair without delay the time have
lost. Ny age is against me. knoH. The
truth is, have wasted nv opportunities
since | left school, and | am anxious to
mend my ways before ii is too late. | wish
to prepare myself for one Of the universe
tes-l wish to show, if can, that am
not quite unworthy to inherit my fathers
famous name. You are the man to help
me, if can only persuade you TO do it.
was struck by youl sermon yesterday; and,
il may venture to make my confession
in Your presence, took Il strong liking TO
you. VIII you see my father before you
decide to say no? He will be able to en-
plain whatever may seem strange in my
present application; and he will be happy
10 see you this afternoon, if You can spare
the time As to the question OF terms, l
am quite sure it can be settled to Your own
satisfaction.
lie va, evidently in gravely,
vehcmently in earnest. unwilingly
consented 10 see his father.
The interview was long one. All my
questions wPrc answered fully and frank