The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1877-01-17
A MINISTER'S TEMPTATION.
A Love Narrative.

An eX-Eplscopal minister who is
now a practical lawyer, in relating
twenty years experience in three
parishes where he was settled gives
it out that the unrestrained roaming
of clergyman through his flock at
all hours and under any circumstan-
ces breeds temptations that must in
falHbly try the weakness of human
nature. He was a very successful
clergyman, and most elegant in the
pulpit. besides having fine persOnale.
Here is the story as related by him
self.
A YOUNG CLERGYMAN TEMPTATION.
Few know the extent of tempta-
tion to which young clergyman is
subjected. He comes out of the the
illogical seminary at the age of twen-
ty-two, perhaps las did with a most
charming ignorance of the world.
At once he is sent to take charge of
a church and look after the lives and
consciences of several hundred peo-
pie. He goes straight into the con-
fdencc of all these families. A any
hour of the day he can ring the bell
and he will be welcome guest His
privileges are many and manifest.
1t is thought no harm in him TO kiss
the married ladies. The young la
dies are sent 10 his study to be fitted
for confirmation and TO pass hours
alone with him there in pray or and
religious conversation. OF course it
is expected that he will be enough
of an anchorite not to notice whether
a lady's cheek is fair, her form beau
tiful, or her manners fascinating. In
his ministerial capacity he is not
man, only priest or preacher. Now,
to no other class of men are such
privileges extended. fla gentleman
calls at an unseemly hour it looks
strange; not so in clergyman. If
any other than the minister takes
long walk or holds lengthy confalhs
with married ladies or misses it is
noticed at once. But a parish al
ways insists that minister shall call
often and especially on the ladies.
The men usually prefer to be absent
when the "dominie is around. I'M
less young mans head is very lev
ell, indeed. what can you expect but
that it will be turned by such privi-
leges and duties as these?
Everywhere, too, hospitality is
forced upon the minister. Unless
he be n teetotaler the beer-barrel is
sure to be tapped. or the decanter
brought out, while he is on his rounds,
and then see how the poor man is
situated! lie sits with wine-gi ass in
hand, and the flush slowly rising up
in his cheeks; while his charming
hostesses gaze at him with an admir-
alton which will soon drive him into
conceit or desperation. His tongue
viii chatter all sorts of worldly non
sense, and the FIRST he knows I will
start off on some forbidden theme,
and his entertainer OF the moment
will be shocked, or she will JOIN in
with him, and two souls will be thrust
into the broad road OF ten. alton.
It is a mighty hard thing-a have
found-to talk of spiritual matters
on such occasions. They don't seem
to be seasopable. In fact, il is apt
to upset a man entirely, and there
has always seemed to me to be some
thing radically wrong in the system
which alloys such pnrestrainea inter
course between strangers to exist.
Take a villain and give him such op-
portunities, and ne will plant more
tares in Q year in one small congre-
CATION than whole century or pray.
er can uproot or obliterate. Il
Perhaps, after all, it will 10 just
as well if give you an incident or
two from my own experience. There
WAS Yery pretty young wotaan in
one Of my own congregations who
lost her husband while l was there.
At the third visit my stock OF Scri.
ture applicable TO snch cases had
run out, and [ was sitting on pins
and needles. trying to think Of some
commonplace to suit The OCCASION.
As thought, looked at her sitting
beside me with downcast face.
could think OF nothing else. l gazed
with silent admiration, and at length
she looked up AND rekd tha Ehnle
story in my eyes. ! took one hand
in mine. and with the other drew ller
to me, held her in my arms and kiss
ed hsr. 4G vas alt Ereng, or course.
Did I tell you that I was married
MOI Well, / was married all the
time, and had q family, too. As /
LEFT the honse Mrs. $. remarke q tliat
Sis w4s grateful 10 rs EcF FL IS HI-
pathy, and stillnmerea out sosne-
thing inreturn. That njght ! scarce
81 slept any for thinking OF the sin
Of kissing my parishioneF, Yet, bow
could + forsaIze herr must call, IN