River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-12-20

-
ing heard this wonderful sermon. !
can not discuss the matter in detail;
nor would wish TO think any thing to
the disparagement of young man
who has been very highly recon-
mended TO me. Several partial solu-
tions occur to me, none of them re-
fecting unduly on Mr.. Cribber. Posi-
bly,, we may have looked into the same
commentary"
Mr.. Grundy gave knowing nod.
Possibly Mr.. Cribber may have
read some article OF mine in one or
other OF the religious periodicals treat
ing of this subject. l say possibly,
though / do not at this moment recall
having written any thing about it,"
Mr.. Grundy gave another yet more
knowing nod.
And there Is yet another hypothesis
connected with the obscure topic OF
unconscious cerebration and remi-
niscence. tell you. candidly, fhave
preached on that text before-at the
Abbey once, aud elsewhere, perhaps.
Mr.. Cribber may have heard me. MY
thoughts may have passed into an i'm
questionable mind. They may have
been reproduced without the slightest
consciousness on his part that they
were not strictly original. There have
been most remarkable instances of this
phenomenon.
Mr.. Grundy was evidently i'm
pressed.
II think" he said, II can under.
stand how it happened now, and the
explanation you have given is very in.
teresting. But perhaps. under the cir.
cumstances, you might find some more
suitable gentleman for the curaey."
81 almost think you are right,
Grundy." assented the vicar, eagerly.
MIR. Cribber seems scarcely up to the
mark for such a congregation as ours.
There were several other applicants
who were most highly recommended
Mr.. Playfair, for instance.
IL am sure he would be popular"
said the churchwarden.
''Well, ! shall give the matter my
best consideration; and you may rest
assured it will be my wish to do what.
ever is for the highest interests of the
cOngres alton"
DIR. Sparkle spoke in his most dulcet
tone. but as soon as Mr.. Grundy left
the room he sat down and wrote as
follows to Rev. Jonathan:
DEAR SIR: From what hear OF the sermon
delivered by YOU last night, l regret that am
obliged TO conclude that you are altogether I'M
suited 10 my curacy. My people have become
TO original, OF at all events iHds-
penasat, thought in the pulpit: and do not
suppose you would yourself maintain the APP
plicability OF either of these words TO the dis
course with which you favored them. return
the testimonials you sent me, and beg to re
main, yours faithfully, p. SPARKLE.
Having sent this ill-tempered pro-
duction to the post, the unfortunate
man was forthwith ashamed of him
self, and would gladly have recalled it.
He blamed himself for all that had
and became a victim TO hOr-
rible remorse and abject fear. His
wife, who had learned something of
what had passed. had her own suspi-
kept them to herself. and did her best
TO comfort her husband.
That very afternoon Rev. Jonathan
in hot Indignation, sought
out the clerical agent who had made
Up for his own lack of brains and en-
ergy. and bearded him iN his den.
At first he stated his case without
any names.
Il can only say" replied the suave
cleric who devoted his energies to
helping his weaker brethren. THAT for
of thought aud freshness OF
consider the 'FoOlishness
of Preaching to be among my master
pieces. l could show you numerous
letters that l have received in refer
ence to that very sermon. There must,
take it, be something very unfortu-
nate in your voice or mode of delivery.
Now, am about to form a clerical elo-
cution class, and would strongly urge
upon you"
My voice is excellent, sir! hav
been congratulated upon it again and
again!" roared the Rev. Jonathan.
u do not doubt its power. sir" re-
piled the agent, with a deprecatory
motion of his hand; "but it may
need
you talk about letters, sir. Read
thatin said the irate Cribber, inter-
rupting him, and flinglng DIR. Sparkle's
note upon the table.
The agent read the letter, and then,
do you mean to say that you gave
them The Foolishness of Preaching in
DR.. Sparkle's church,"
Il do; and why not? paid you for
the sermon"
"You told me you We're in Lincoln
when | sent it to you"
"And so was; but / came to town
TO see after DIR. Sparkle's curacy.
had a perfect right to preach the ser
mon," said Rev. Jonathan. fiercely.
Yes. | suppose you had-to you
own risk admitted the agent.
but it has lost me an excellent GU
racy," continued the irate Cribber.
And you have lost me an excelen,
client Good morning"
On the following Sunday DIR. Spar
xle's pulpit was occupied by Mr. Play
fair, and it was announced that tho
Vicar. in obedience to the peremptory
orders of his medical adviser, had gone
abroad for few weeks.
The doctor is now. with his faithful
wife by his side. recruiting his ener-
gies aud laying in a genuine stock OF
fresh ideas. He has resolved for the
future to have no secrets from Mrs.
Sparkle. and to eschew skeletons
London Truth.
Corundum in the Useful Arts.
Much interest has been created of
late in the extended application OF
to the useful arts. and IL is |