The daily gazette., 1878-06-22
PaIs0n .SuIsIy's Experiment.
BY A. G. r

The small PARISH mt Fallowdale had
been for some time without pastor. The
members We're nearly all farmers, and
they had not much money to bestow
upon the support of a Clergyman; vet
they were willing to pay for anything
that could promise them any due return
of good. In course of time, it happened
that the Rev. Abraham Surely visited
Fallowdale, and as a Sabbath passed
during his sojourn, he held n meeting In
the small church. The people were plea
sed with mis- preaching, and some of them
proposed inviting him to remain with
them, and take charge of their spiritual
welfare.
Upon the merits of this proposition
there was a long discussion. Parson
Surely had signified his willingness to
take a permanent residence at Fallow-
dale, but the members of the parish
could not so readily agree to hire him.
~ don't see the use of hiring par
son." said Mr.. Sharp, an old farmer of
the place. "He can do us no good. If
we've got any money to spare, we'd bet
ter lay it up for something else. A par
son can't learn me anything"
To this 1t was answered, that stated re-
hgicus meetings would be of great benefit
to the younger people, and also source
of real social good to all.
IL don't know bout that" said Sharp,
after he had heard the arguments against
him. Sharp was one of the wealthiest
men In the parish, and consequently one
of the most influential, .I've heard tell, i"
he continued, "of n parson that could
pray for rain, and have it come at any
time. Now If we could hit upon such n
parson as that, | would go in for hiring
him."
This opened a new idea to the un-
.iofin taI ind nT oil ln1.
farmers often suffered from long
droughts, and after arguing awhile long
er, they agreed to hire Parson Surely
upon the condition that he should give
them rain whenever they wished for it,
and, on the other hand, that he would
also give them fair weather when re-
quired. Deacons Smith and Townsend
were deputized to make this arrange
ment known to the parSon, and the peo-
pie renamed in the church while their
messengers went upon their errand.
$50 have | hay out" added Mr.. Peck.
eve won't have it rain tonight"
"Then let 1t be tomorrow"
at will take me all day tomorrow to
get my hay in," said Smith.
Thus the objections came up for the
two succeeding days, and at length. by
way of compromise, Mr.. Sharp proposed
that they should have rain in just four
days. "For,"" said he, "by that time all
the hay which is now out can be got in,
and we need not cut any"
"Stop, STOP" uttered Mrs. Sharp, pull
ing her worthy husband smart by the
sleeve. "That is the dav we have set to
go to Snowhill. 1t mustn't rain thenw
Thiswas law for Mr.Sharp so he propos-
ed that the rain should come in one week
and then resumed his seat. But this
would notdo Many ofthe people would
not have it put off so long. "If we can't
have rain before then, we'd better not
have it at all" said they.
In short the meeting resulted in just nc
conclusion at all, for the good people
| fo and 1t utterly impossible to agree upon
| time when it could rain.
."Until you can make up your mindl
upon this point" said the pastor, as he
was about leaving the church, "we must
| all trust in the Lord" And after this the
| people followed him from the place.
Both Deacon Smith and Mr.. Peck go
their hay, safely in, but on the very day
day that Mr.. Sharp and his wife were tC
have started for Snowhill, it began to
rain in right good earnest, Sharp lo-
his visit, but he met the disappointment
| with good grace for his crops smiled a
the rain.
When the deacons returned, Mr.. Sur G
ly accompanied them. He smiled, a
he entered the church, and with a grace
full bow he saluted the people there a.
sembled.
"Well, my friends" he said, as he as
cended the platform in front of the desk
al have heard your request to me, and
strange as 1t may appear, | have come t
accept your proposal: but | can do i
only on one condition; and that is, tina
lyour request for change of weathe
must he unanimous"
This appeared very reasonable, sine
every member of the parish had dee
Interest in the farming business, and er
long it was arranged that Mr.. Surel
should become the pastor of Fallowdale
and that he should give the people raj
whenever they asked for it.
Time flew on, and at length the he
days of midsummer were at hand. Fo
three weeks it had not rained, and tn
young corn was beginning to curl up b,
meath the effects of the drought. In thi
extremity, the people bethought then
selves of the promise of their paste
and some of them fastened to his dwell
ing.
"Come," SAID Sharp, whose hilly farI
was suffering severely, "we want som
rain. You remember your promise"
"Certainly," returned Mr.. Surely. &C
you will call for meeting of the men
| bpio VI 'iiO p"iioh, wa w "A'A J =
this evening"
The hour for the meeting came aroun,
and Parson Surely met his people at u
church. They were all there-most
them anxious, and the remainder c.
rious.
"Now, my friends" said the paste
arising upon the platform, 81 have con
to hear your request. What is it W
1--WE want RAIN" repeated half a dozt
voices.
"We want rain," bluntly spoke farm
Sharp 'you know you promised to gi'
it to u.s."
"Ay-rain-rain," repeated half do
| en- voices.
every well. Now when will You ha'
it?"
"This very night. Let it rain all mig
long," said Sharp, to which several OF
ers Immediately assented.
] "No, no, not tonight" cried Deact
Smith. "I have six or seven tons of W.
made hay in the field, and L would II
have it wet for anything"
Ere another month rolled by, aDoth
meeting was called for a petition for raj
but this time the result was the same
before. Many of the people had the
muck to dig, and rain would preve
them. Some wanted the rain imm
diately-sone in one, some in two, al
| l. a. L. W a m I