The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1888-01-28
THE COUNTRY SEXTON.

NllllOSl ever HAL, no lildttel WILL
his walk in life may be, has some
sympathy from his neighpors. The
doctor is unconsciously sympathized
with when people tell him how hard
it must be to arise at two O clock on
winter morning and go forth in
hailstorm to minister to the sufferings
Of a patient more than five miles off.
And as vita the doctor, so it is
with the clergyman, and the night
editor, and the man who thrusts his
head into the lions mouth daily for
so much week.
But no one has yet seen fit to ex-
press the opinion that the lot of the
country sexton is hard and trying
one. Every one who has any busi-
ness connection with the church
owns hin. He has to saw wood for
the rector and beat carpets for the
vestrymen, and do odd jobs around
the places of any other member of
the congregation who may see fit to
call upon him.
If he goes out on the street for an
airing, he is apt to be met and snap
ped up by some old lady who has
just moved and would like to have
the shades of the old house cut down
to fit the windows in the new one.
If he is going to the city for recrea-
ton, he is sure to be met before he
reaches the railroad station, and or
dered to make a church cushion for
the settce of somebody's new Dutch
house.
And no matter what the poor sex
ton may have on hand, he has smil-
ingly to abandon 1t to perform any
thing that is asked of him. He Is
generally what is known as a handy
man and standby, and his general
resignation under circumstances that
would be trying to the average lay
man would be simply edifying and
beautiful in the rector himself.
If the sexton wants to take drink,
| he has to do if down his cellar He
is afraid to go into public drinking
place, for fear he may meet some
church dignitary there who will re-
port him.
He has to be very circumspect in
all his ways. If any one hits him he
cannot hit back, because he must re-
fleet the sentiments and teachings OF
the clergyman and, in short practice
what the clergyman breaches. Con-
sequently, through the teachings Of
the clergyman, the sexton becomes a
paragon of virtue which the clergy
man himself. would do well to fol-
low.
But, in spite of his humility and
goodness, he is never regarded ac-
cording to his worth. He never re-
ceives the credit of having any pa
tience, although he gives up his en-.
tire life to the church, and is ever
ready to do anything that is re-
quired. He has to mend the cush-
ions, sweep the church, and have a
perfect knowledge of all the feasts
and ember days. He must know
whether it is the first Sunday in Ad.
vent, or the third Sunday after
Easter, be able to dehne the defunc.
tons Of an archdeacon, and move g
piano upstairs without waxing pro,
fame when his fingers are fattenec
out like those Of pair Of new kid
gloves against the wainscoating.
| When his children are baptized, he
cannot select the hour himself, Oh
decide if it is to be done in public OIL
private. 1t IS all decided by the
clergyman, who may prefer quie1
simplicity or full dress.
The sexton has always to attend
service regularly, and appear to be
deeply interested, even if he is think,
ing of rabbit hunting or football al
the time. In fact, he is obliged tc
appreciate each sermon so keenly
that to look at him you would sup
pose that he himself was the author
of the whole thing.
He has to go forth to the woods
and cut Christmas trees about this
time, and little later wear out al
his clothing aginst the church walls
as he lies against them on his wish.
bone while adjusting the emerald
decorations of the season.
| And he has to see that the church
is warm, even when the furnace won
work. Let him get a cough, ever
during the season of the Palestine
cough, AMI he will not be sent to the
Holy Land to mend his shattered
breath. He gets no slippers deli
cately embroidered with rose and
heiotrope about Christmas time, and
no cough treche firm pays him
to write it complimentary letter to
be printed as advertisement. In fact,
he is never treated the same as the
rector, except when his salary is al
lowed to go past due.
The only thing that can be said
against the country sexton is that he
p evaricates and breaks engagements
He promises to split your wood on
Monday, and doesn't come around
for a week. He says when he sees
you, that he had to do some other
joo for some one else, and that he
was in arrears with his work. You
can never find him except at church,