Connecticut western news., 1888-05-16
THE NEW PREACHER.
BY THE REV. A. g. ISAACS.

Most people would say that it was no new preacher at all; he had the same eyes, nose, mouth, and hair, was of the samo height, and offered the same hands. But others who can read be- tween the lines, aud are thankful for the gift, declare that it was a new preacher. He had gone through some experience. His soul had changed. He had been born againl
 The preacher sat in his cozy study in the afternoon hours. It was his ''den,' where he was secure from all interrup- tion, and furnished with the luxury of a Sybarite. Soft rugs upon the floor, handsome vases on tho low bookcases that encircled the walls, rare etchings upon the easel, costly engravings on every side, cabinet of coins in ono corner, and poem in marble in another -itwas no wonder that he felt thrill of self-satis faction as hs glanced in every direction. And his sense of com fort was heightened by the roll of proof sheets on his desk his latest work al- most ready for publication. There was a long TOW of volumes since his occu- pancy of the pulpit, but this was to be bis crowning effort, and to increase still further his fame.
 There were the books, the creation of his genius, on long shelf all by them selves. The critics spoke highly of them; the learned world acknowledged their merit. History, biography, criti- cism, were his special fields. But his mind was so versatile that he could pro- duce novels as we'll; aud his poems had also rapid sale. As Q popular lec- turer he always commanded large au- dience. His travels in the East and his discovery of the missing tractate of St. Theodosius had gained him tho doctorate from three Old World u1iver- sties.
 Yes, he had been singularly success full, and that, too, without stooping to any mean tricks. He was above syco- phancy and self-advertising. Ho had made his way by hard pushing, by reso- lute work, by sheer stamina, he was wont to say. Not two decades in tho pulpit, he had long outstrippcd preach CTS of his class in tho seminary, and left them and oder graduates far be- hind. He was known as the eminent, the distinguished, and he enjoyed the luxury of famc as only mon of his char acter can. Ho had never done a low action; he had never driven over an ad- versary, but his talent and genius made a track for themselves from the very start.
 It must bo confessed that the preacher who was never idle, lut always mira cle of industry, had one solitary failing perhaps thero were others-he loved to dwell upon hls succ cess, and go over in memory each step ia his advance ment. That afternoon he was just in such mood, and his pride was attain ing fever-hcat.
 "JamesT It was tho voice of his wife as shS drew aside tho heavy cur tain that shut off tho ''den" from tho hall of tho parsonage.
 "WeIla" came querulous tone from the preacher, disturbed in his revory.
 'The boy is here whom you wished to sec"
 ''What boy2 ho asked, in an inn patient tone.
 Don't you remember? Tho boy fo1 whom you wero to secure situation. You cannot, surely, have forgotten it. {" There was shade of pain in her voice.
 ooh, let him come tomorrow, Edith I cannot be bothered now. I have my thoughts busy enough with other mat ters. Let him come--say, this day ne xt week"
 'But James," with gentlc remons. trance in her tone-"James, his mother is destitute; sho must have money"
 'I cannot help it. Why am always troubled by that class of peoblei It would tax tho patience of Job or the purse of Cresus. Let him como next week; do you heara"
 The preachers wife heard; she sighed as she turned away, and bado tho boy come the following week. Then seeing him to tho door, sho gave him a trif1c for present needs.
 The preacher resumed his revery, but found it difficult to regain his self satisfaction. His nature was kecnly sensitive, and the slightest cause would often produce the intensest jar. And now what had snapped asunder hi. pleasant fancies7 What had vexed hin at the moment of his c1hilaration2
 It was his wife's s1gh-low, tremu lous, scarcely audibleAwhich had pene trated his soul and ranked there, as i imbued with physical potency. It wa. the sigh of his wife, gentle, patient, un complaining, that had stirred him iron his dreams. He rose from his chair He paced up and down tho room. HI