The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-09-17
THE SUBSTITUTE.

THE SUBSTITUTE.
Reverend M. Pennell, pastor ol
the First Society, Brookville, entered
his house one afternoon in July
with an expression upon his coun-
tenance so unlike the look of weari-
ness generally there visible, that
his wife, noticing it, inquired;
"What has occurred that affords
you such evident gratification?"
you know | was wishing that /
might have a temporary relief from
nay cares but was unwilling to take
a vacation because of my belief that
no church should, even for one Sun
day, be without preaching?"
"Yes. And / know you owe it to
your people. not less than to your
self, to rest from your labors ; so do
ing, you could accomplish much
more. Have you decided to go away
for a season ?"
sRead that" he replied, passing a
letter to his wife.
She unfolded the missive, whose
contents were:
&C, n. Y, July II, 1S-.
Dear Brother PenneU You will
be surprised at hearing from your
former classmate in Andover, be-
tween whom and yourself there has
never been any correspondence but
a few words will render all compre-
hensible. From my remembrance
of your views respecting the duties
of a pastor, and from what ! have
heard of your faithfulness, | appre-
hend that you would not sacrifice
what you, perhaps unwisely, regard
the welfare Of your people to your
physical and, of course, mental
health and strength.
"a young man whom l consider
very gifted has been studying with
me for nearly two years, and would
| like to preach a few Sundays, exper-
mentally. Perhaps you wish to be
absent from your charge for a month
or six weeks, my friend would glad
ly supply you pulpit during that
time for no other compensation than
his board. If, however, you shall
wish to make him a trihing dona-
tion, it will be very acceptable, as he
has to provide for himself entirely.
II shall be absent from home un-
til the middle of September; so, if
you think proper to accept my sug-
gestion, please write to Mr.. Thomas
Smith, Boston, whittier he is going
to visit friends, on receipt of this.
With kindest wishes,
Fraternally yours,
VIM. BLAKE"
"You will avail yourselfof the op-
portunity to recuperate your ener-
gies ?" asked Mrs, Pennell, having
finished the letter.
Il shall. 1t seems too much like
a dispensation of Providence to be
neglected"
Il am so glad"
Mr.. Pennell went to his library
and wrote to Mr.. Smith, mentioning
the letter from Brother" Blake and
inviting him to substitute for him
during the coming six weeks.
Three days later Mr.. Smith came
to Brookville.
He was .of the medium height.
slight, pale-faced had long auburn
whiskers, worn la Anglais, curly
hair Of the same hue; blue eyes, that
were sharp, inquisitive, penetrating
regular, pleasing features was evil
IDENTIFY not far from twenty-five,
The following Sunday he occupied
a seat in the pulpit with Mr.. Pen
nell, but took no part in the exer-
cises, except to offer the closing
prayer.
At the conclusion of the morning
services-the only one for the day
the pastor introduced him to the
more prominent members with the
remark-it soon became stereotyp-
ed:
"Mr. Smith will preach for me
while | am having the vacation
which it appears to be my duty to
take, and think you will have no
reason to regret the temporary
change"
Every one expressed his pleasure
at knowing that Mr.. Pennell had
concluded to rest (; no one doubted
but that Mr.. Smith would satisfacto-
rily meet ali requirements.
Indeed, the new conner had al
ready done much toward securing
the favor of those who were to con-
stitute his congregation.
"What fervent prayerm How
earnest he seems!" ''He is destined
to become distinguished" and other
like observations might have been
heard, soto voice, from the elderly
people.
The maidens whispered to one
another, "did you ever see such side
whiskers ?" 'What magnificent eyes
he has "Isn't he fine lookingp
etc.
The next Sabbath the subject of
his discourse was:
Il was a stranger and ye took me
in"
As literary production it was
mastery, and it was delivered in a
manner that held the audience
spell bound.
When he descended the pulpit,
an old man, whose frame was bow
ed and whose hair was silvered by