The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-03-26
sMnral and ReIiginns.
Why Rev. TheOphilus Hybrow Did
Not Resign.

dts of no use," said Rev. Theophilus
Hybrow, as he sat in his study on Friday
morning, with his balf-fnished sermon
lying before him. "It's of no use. l
must seek another and more congenial
field. My people are kind and good in
their way, but they do not appreciate me.
Some other man who has not my literary
tastes and intellectual ability will be con-
tented and useful here, and |, no doubt,
can find more cultured and thoughtful
community, where my best efforts will not
be thrown away"
"Yes," he continued, con Sunday
will read my letter of resignation, and
on Monday l will write to my friend
James, and ask him to put an item in the
paper. Let me see, what reason shall |
assign for making the change The
health of my family will hardly do, as
wife and children were never 80 well.
And, as for myself, have nothing to CON-
plain of in that line, although, perhaps,
my throat has felt little tired Sunday
nights of late here the parson scrsped
his throat, by way of easing his con-
science.
eyes, l think, on the whole, will ask
James to put it in this form: Rev. The
ophilus Hybrow, after happy and sue
cessful pastorate at Rural, has resigned,
his health requiring a change of air.
Any church needing supply would
do we'll to confer with him without de-
lay"
Then Mr.. Hybrow went on with his SER
mon, which was to be one Of his best, he
thought. 1t was upon the text, "Old
things have passed away" and was de-
signed to show that, as In the onward
march of science many dogmas, once
thought too sacred to be called in question,
had passed away, so future scientific dis
covery would require even more startling
changes and transformations.
That night, after they had retired, Mr..
Hybrow communicated his purpose to his
wife.
"Now, Theophilus, would not be too
hasty in this matter" she said. Have
you made it subject of earnest prayer ? 1"
eyes, have prayed about it, and
thought about it, and can't stand it any
longer. Let somebody else come here who
can be satisfied to give this unsophisti-
Gated people the simple diet they require
My efforts are not appreciated. The
Scriptures declare that we are not to cast
pearls before swine. Why, there was that
address that | gave at our last Sabbath
school concert on Darwinism not Incon-
sistent with the Bible What thanks did
get for my pains. except to be informed
that it was very unsuitable for children,
and would do their parents more harm
than good ? Then that course Of sermons
on History and Legend in Genesis, which
kept me so busy in my study that could
not do any pastoral work-you know how
the people complained and some said
they were not sermons at all, only lectures,
and dry at that. have no desire to set
myself up to be what am not, but really,
think there must be church somewhere
waiting for me, where sermons that have
solid thought in them, and that are
abreast of the times, will not be called
stupid. Aud then our congregations have
been growing beautifully less, you know
they have. Some of our members have
of late been going quite constantly to hear
Mr.. Shallough, whose sermons are moth
ing but exhortations. How absolutely
disgusting EVERYBODY to his liking,
however"
"But, perhaps, Theophilus and his
wife hesitated, as if unwilling to go on
"perhaps the people have not been alto
gether to blame. You know | would
rather hear you preach than anybody, but
it has seemed to me sometimes, when |
have been listening to you. that if you
would let the vexed questions alone, and
preach the simple gospel, the good tfdings
of great joy, tell the old story of Jesus and
his love, you might do more good. OF
70 do oil
Theo, dear"
"Oh, nonsense It's a minister's duty
to make the most of himself. He must
bring the people up to his Intellectual
level, not degrade himself to their ig-
norance. Really, have too much lesr ect
for myself to get up on Sunday and in
dulge in pious platitudes to please any
body"
Mrs. Hybrow perceived that it would be
as well not to say any more just then.
Instead, therefore, of replying to this last
remark of her husbands, she began to
stroke his hair in a peculiar way of hers
that seldom failed to have a soothing
effect, and soon he fell asleep, and in his
sleep he dreamed.
1t was Sabbath morning, bright
and beautiful morning, and the last bell
was ringing for church. So, taking up his
hat and hymn-book, and notice that had
been sent in the night before, he stepped
across the street to his study in the base.
ment.
What was his surprise, upon opening
the study door, to find stranger standing
in the room. For moment Mr.. Hybrow
was inclined to be indignant at the intru-
sion. But only for a moment.
A second look, and indignation gave
place to awe. There was an Undesirable
something about the stranger that left no
room for doubt as to his identity. 1t was
the Savior, the Christ himself in mortal
form. He was dressed in the ordinary
garb of man. Upon his face there was
an expression of mingled gentleness and
severity. Aud his eyes-they seemed to
look the Rev. Theophilus Hybrow through
and through.
q Be not surprised to fad me here" the
vision said. "Never Sabbath morning
has failed to fad me here. Have you
quite forgotten my promise to be with you
always, even to the end of the world a?
"Nor am | here by your permission.
For all that see is mine. These books,
this furniture, yonder pulpit all are
mine. And you are mine. am the King.
You are but my messenger and mouth
piece. | am here to-day to listen to the
message"