Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1881-08-06
GAINS VINE HoSr.p
rRomans, xvi, 2s.l

[Romans, xvi, 3D.
AS a pastor i am on the "King's
business" and may enter, in my
official capacity, invited or uninyi-
ted, any house in my charge; but,
as an iRdiviclual, I am under the
same social restrictions, and entitled
to the same courtesies that other re-
spectacle people are. 1t is an or
dinance of God that his ministers
shall be supported, but they have
no right to intrude themselves, I'M
hidden, into social and family cir
cles, and forage promiseuously up
on the people. Those who have
proper seIf-respect will not do so
and if they expect to command the
respect of enlightened people they
will conform to the rules of well
regulated and refined society. There
are some so called christian house
holds into which the pastor must ell
bow his way as best he can, if he
would enter at all, which he some
times feels constrained to do, and
force himself upon their reluctant
generosity, but the situation is
most uncomfortable one to all the
parties, and it is problematical
whether any good comes of such
humiliating maneuvering.
Now Gains makes the way of en-
trance TO his family abode and
household easy to every minister of
the gospel, and, while under his
roof they may enjoy perfect immu-
nifty from all apprehension of be-
ing looked upon as hungry tramp.
Gains is the host of the servants of
God, and that fact is made manifest
in many ways. 1t would be foolish
and cruel on the part of the pastor
not to partake of his hospitalities,
except when formally invited to do
so.
Looking back over my former
pastoral charges | call to mind
many such personages, the hosts of
those refreshing GASES in the desert of
this life, called preachers homes"
where the weary itinerant, doing
the bidding OF the Master and of the
church, is ever welcomed with
cordial greeting, and is strengthened
for his journey onward. These be-
loved Gains, whom l expect to
meet in the better world, have often
held up my hands in the day of
battle, and nerved me with fresh
courage for the conflict for you
must know that the man of duty
occupies the post of danger, and has
to Withstand many a fierce onset.
joyful will be our meeting when
the warfare shall have ended.
Riding through VIM. chickering's
lane one day, and passing his resi-
dence, l began musing, unconsci-
ously almost: 1 wondered how
many preachers have taken shelter,
and been refreshed with that house
hold. Many, many more will doubt
less partake of their ungrudging hos
FATALITIES. After awhile brother
and sister Pickering will be trans
ported to the "sunbright Cline"
They will not be strangers there;
and their arrival will add largely to
the joys of the multitude of christi
an ambassadors, to whom they have /
furnished, with unstinted liberality,
food and shelter in this world. We
will all rush to the "pearly gate" to |
meet them, and each one esteem it |
an honor to announce their coming. |
Suddenly my delightful meditation
was disturbed by spirit of praise
possessing me, ere 1 was aware of
it.
met Bob Owen on the pike, near |
here, the other day, a veritable |
Gains, with whom | often took |
sweet counsel, while on the Duck |
river circuit, eleven years ago. We
were just so glad to see each other /
that we knew not how to tell it.
Language will be given us to ex-
press our delight, when we meet to /
part no more.
My present charge is well supplied /
with preachers homes" and hosts I
of the Gains type. said they to me /
on my arrival here: 1--WE want /
YOU to make a convenience of Us,
our houses ue open to you at all /
times day and night" Sandy /
Smith will recollect my going TO his
house one night, to keep from dis
turbing some friends who were not 4
well, and the talk had with him I
about these blessed Convenience
houses. Homes they are indeed,
i'm the true sense OF the word, where
YOU may Iinger as long rs you wish
and drop in at when it is not con-
venient for you to go elsewhere.
Duty sometimes calls Us into UNI
pleasant surroundings, but when
Gains is my host, ] am at home and
happy. a. l. "ooDLoE.
A WRITER in the British Medical