Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1888-07-04
From the Hartford Times
Mr.. PENCILS SUBSTITUTE.

Inc h6V. MI 10nnoll, pastor OF the
First Society, Brookville, entered his
houGe one afternoon in July with an ex-
preston upon his continuance so unlike
the look of WEAKNESS generally there
visible that his wife, noticing it, in
CURED:
"What has occurred that has afforded
you such evident qualification ?''
"Yo GU know that | was wishing that
might have temporary relief from my
cares, but was unwilling to take vaca-
ton because of my belief that no church
should, even for one Sunday, be without
preaching %
Eyes, and know that you owe it to
your people, not less than to yourself,
to rest from your labors; so doing you
could accomplish much more. Have
you decided to go away for season ?''
''Read that" he replied, passing a
letter to his wife.
She unfolded the missive, whose con-
tents were:
C-,N. Y, July II IS.
DEAR BROTHER PENNELL; You will be surpris-
ed at nearing from your former classmate in An
dover, between whom and yourself there has
never Eeen any correspondence; but few words
will render all comprehensive. From my re-
membrance of your views respecting the duties
of a PASTOR and from what l have heard of
your taithtulness l apprehend that you would
the welfare o. your People to your physical and
of course mental health and strength.
young man whom consider very gifted has
been studying with me tor nearly two years,
and would like to preach a few sundays expert
mentally. Provided you wish to be absent from
your charge tor month or six weeks my
friend will gladly supply your pulpit during that
time for no other compensation than his board
II, however, you shall choose to make him q
trifing donation it will be very acceptable, as
he has to provide for himself entirely.
shall be absent from home until the middle
of September, so if you think proper to accept
my suggestion please write to Thomas Smith Bos-
ton, whittier he is going to visit friends. re-
ceipt of this. With ktndest wishes fraternallv
yours WILLIAM BLAKE.
''You will avail yourself of this oppor-
tunity to recuperate your energies ?"
asked Mrs. Pennell, having finished the
letter.
I shall. 1t seems too much like
dispensation of Providence to be neg
lected"
81 am so glad"
Mr. Pennell went to his library and
wrote to Mr. Smith, mentioning the let
ter from Brother" Blake, and inviting
him to substitute for him the coming
six weeks.
Three days later Mr.. Smith came to
Brookville.
He was of medium height, slight,
pale-faced; had long, abundant whis-
kers, worn a L Anglais, curly hair of the
same hue: blue eyes that were sharp,
1nquisitive, penetrating; regular fea-
lures; was evidently not far from %.
The following Sunday he occupied
seat in the pulpit with Mr.. Pencil.
but took no part in the exercises, ex-
cept to offer the closing prayer
At the conclusion of the morning SER
yice-the only one for the day-the
pastor introduced him to the more
prominent members, with the remark
it soon became stereotyped:
Mr.. Smith will preach for me while
/ am having the vacation which it APP
pears to be my duty to take, and [ think
you will have no reason to regret the
temporary change"
Every one expressed his pleasure at
nearing that Mr.. Pennell had concluded
to rest; no one doubted but that Mr..
Smith would satisfactorily meet all re-
quirements.
Indeed, the new conner had already
done much toward securing the favor of
those who were to constitute his con-
gregation.
'What fervent prayer How earn
est he seems He is destined to be-
come distinguished" and other like OBJ
servations, might have been heard,
soto voce, from the elderly people.
The maidens whispered to one an
other. did you ever see such side
whiskers ? What magnificent eyes he
has Isn't he fine looking ?" and so on.
The next Sabbath the subject of his
discourse was: 81 was a stranger and
We took me in" AS literary produc-
ton it was mastery, and it was de-
ivered IN manner that held the au-
dience spellDounG.
When he descended from the pulpit,
an old man, whose frame was bowed,
whose hair was silvered with age, ex-
tended his hand, and said, TREMENDOUSLY:
Brother Smith, in my more than
eighty years have never heard SO e1-
cellent a sermon as yours"
''Thank you," returned Mr. Smith.
s'Your kind words are encouraging''-
and a blush suffused his face.
From that time his praises were on
every lip. People who were noted Sab
bath breakers went to hear him; the
prayer meeting had an attendance larg-
er than it had ever before known; the
"sewing CIRCLE" usually discontinued
through the hot months, was reorgan-
lied, and of it he was the moving spirit.
The young men liked him; the young
women-married as well as single
fairly adored him.
With reference to the gentler sex, he
dCloQ ClICuulSp0Ctly. De1AS COuIlCouo
toward all, but manifesting no favori-
tism to any of them. In fortnight he
was as popular as clergyman could de-
sire to be.
Il should like to ask great favor of
YOU he said to Mr.. Campbell, cashier
Of the local bank, a "pillar" of the
church as they sat in conversation one
evening.
"Do not hesitate to ask any favor
which it is in my power to grant, was
the reply.
at is not exactly the thing for an
humble servant of the Lord to wear
this ring extending his shapely white
hand whereon sparkleda large dia-
mond. at indicates a taste for display
that, commendable with the rich, is rep
rehensible where the wearer is poor
and fitting for the vocation that is to be