The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1877-11-23
A "KntOht Of the Garter
THE REASON THE EEv. MISS SMITH RE-
SIGNED HFR CHARGE

THE REASON THE REV. MISS SMITH RE-
SIGNED HFR CHARGE.
The history of the late difficulty i'm the
Edgarton Wisconsin, Jniversalist Society
will show more plainly than the most care
fui and elaborate argument the uniiineSs cf
women for the pulpit. The congregation
III question was presit!ed over by a female
pastor, who was young. aud not altogether
ugly. In fact number OF rear sighted
aud weak-eyed young men were of the
opinion that her extreme beauty uf eharac-
ter mace her Seem really beautiful. prUTi-
ded one did not examine her in a roug
hight. Miss Smith-fur it would hardly he
delicate to point her ont by any distinctive
name-was learned ami eloquent. at least
In The estimation Of her hearers. Her SER
mon, entitled ''Will There be Daisies in
the Future World,' WAS published last
winter III a pamphlet form, and was called
by the local newspaper IA mastery discus
sioh OF IA theme of tra,iscendeut Importance
To the inquirinC soul" After preaching
for nearly year, her popularity remained
unaoated, and up to .he first Sunday of
last month no one had fuunG any fault
either with her private or her ministerial
conduct.
1t was on the morning of the day Just
mentioned that Miss Smith entered the
meeting house while the choir was execu
iing most complicated request in four
parts aud chorus, for the disconsulate to
come and be cheered up. She walked
gracefully up the aisle, and tripped lightly
mp the pulpit stairs. Sre was about half
way up the stairs when the accident hap
pened. Whether it had been fastened in
securely, or whether the clasp was defective
the world will never know. The only
thlng OF which we can be sure is that it
dropped on precisely the most Conspicuous
stair of the whole flight
1t so happened that the pulpit stairs were
carpeted with costly Brussels and that the
dearons being of an economical turn of
mind, had covered the carpet with light
brown floor cloth which, through repeated
washings, lad faded until it was nearly
white On this light back ground the cir
clet of scarlet glo~ed as if IT, had been a
band of red-hCt iron, while the nickle- plated
clasp sh"ne and flashed in the sunbeamS
There was not an eye in the audience that
rras not riseted on the pulpit stairs, and
thrill OF admira tion mingled with horror
simultaneously passed through nearly all
except the veIy Oldest of Tie worslIipers.
OF course, in itself considered. a bit Of
scarlet cloth, whether elastic or non elastic
Is not necessarily a dangerous thing but
when we consider all the circumstances OF
:he affair." i must be admitted that the al
tention OF Miss Smiths audience was in a
fair way to be distracted from the sermon
Two men were fonnd who were bold enough
to attempt 10 face the situation. The sup
erintendeDt OF the Sunday school, n voting
man who admired Miss Smith, and regard.
ed Pollock ; Course of Time as superior
to paradise Lost aud was excessively
near-sight ed, noticed that his revered pas
tor had dropped what lie inIa2 ined to be a
Russlan kather purse. lie at once rose
from his seat with the intention of pickin
up the article, but as he bent down for the
purpose perce1tible shuddeT passed
through his slight frame. lie turued
deadly pale, leaned for moment against
the railing of the stairs, then peus;velv
went back TO his seat and buried his face
in his hands. The senior deacon, fancymg
tina: the young man had suddenly been ta-
ken Ill, rose up and in his turn wen. to the
pulpit stairs, but before he had time TO re-
cover the lost article his wife, an exceed
ingly narrow old lady, with very sharp
edges, whispered in a shrill tone, Deacon
Sme5ley. don't you dare to touch it - and
the good deacon went meekly back 10 his
seat Nothing further was attempted
Daring the entire services the scarlet aud
nickle- plate famed aud glistened, aud there
were not two persons in the audience who
had the least idea of what the sermon
treated. For the next three OF four days
the event was warmly discussed. aud 80
mnch indignation WAS expressed 10y the
lady members of the congregation-som
Of whom birted that so-called accidents
sometimes happen on purpose, and that a
female minister ought to be ashamed To
set AN example of worldly extravaganza i'll
dieSs-that the unfoItuua e, Miss Smith re
signed her paStOrate and shook the dust of
/ Edgar on from her feet.
OF course. no possible blame can be at
tached to Miss Smith. but at the same
:ime 1t is evident that the accident which
led to her Withdrawal from her pulpit could
never have happened to a masculine minis
ter: for, as a melancholy consequence OF
the fall of Adam, men have been compelled
TO wear short socks, Without enlarging
upon painful topic, it is sufficient to call
! attention to- Miss Smiths case as an evil
Gence that nature has rot designed women
for the ministry. and as an illustration oi
/ what may at any time spoil the sermon and
) impair the usefulness os the ablest female
miuister.-N. /. Times.