The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-06-08
REV. EPHRAIM DOWNEY.
A Query as to the Real Reason
Why 70 Left the Ministry.

A Query as to the Real Reaso,
Why 70 Left the Ministry.
When the doctors of divinity a
Waterbury heard that Rev. Ephraim
Dowrey had descended from the palpi
OF Annex and had m ,unted the driver:
sca: on 4 cart filled .-ith cheap tin and
miscellaneous assortment of tr:fle:
whic could be exchanged for rags,
they shook their learned heads with
disgust untempered with mercy.
''He was always mcan-spirited. said
the president who rejoice,l when the
Wa:e: bury men sat in the high places
of the earth. He took the first chance
he had after his graduation.
Yes" said Dr.. Popham; Ibis name
has ne:er been mentioned in conncc.
ton with any church of standing.
Every other man in his class now liv-
ing is 4 ID. D."
Only DR.. Strong. who had been re-
tired. had word of excuse fo- him;
bit rs the doctor was ''old." his opin-
ion di not count And thereafter no
documents were sent to Ephraim from
Wa:e bury. save such as related to its
material upbuilding. and requested
testimonials" etc. To make up one s
mind not to give honors to a mean
spirited man is one thing. but to re-
so.ve to refuse such moneys rs he may
have to bestow, requires buckram prin-
cip!es not to be expected from a college
needing funds.
At the age OF fourteen. Eph-
rain had believed himself called to
preach the Gospel His father was
poor. and an education could only be
won by his own efforts, but he set him.
self patiently ut it He did chores for
a kindly doctor. and earned his board.
BY filling the post of janitor at the
village a ademy. he had his tuition
free. He was not Whist is called bril-
liant student. but he easily prepared
himself to enter Waterbury in the
Sophomore year; and if he scrimped
his food. and dressed regardless of
fashion. he carried off the prizes
for Latin and mathematics for two
years. and the coveted Greek prize in
The third. One pleasure alone was his
during this toilsome. though soul-con-
tented. period; he walked home every
holiday vacation forty miles across the
snow-covered hills that shut his native
tow fir m the college. At last he was
as ready as a man may be to do his
Masters business.
Father Downey wasnOt member of
cny church. As a family, the Downeys
were of small account, and had mar
ric.l into families of small account.
N" one ever thought OF them in Moss
vile when enumerating ''our bes: citi-
zens;' so it happened that in all the
numerous, blameless tribe there was
not man who could speak good
word for Ephraim with a chance of be-
ing heard; and as he belonged to a sect
not bound together by formal organi-
cation. he was without a settlement
long after every man in his class was
placed. Even Twacker. the Ounce,
wa established over f1ourishIug flock
in Hoppleton. whose great business
interest. mailing. was in the hands of
Ptiz .nmcyer. his maternal uncle. Per-
haps if Ephraim had been self-assert-
ing. and had clamored ut the doctors
OF Waterbury,. they would have helped
him. But he was modest, and they
were busy. The Lord would direct
where he could best labor. he believed:
So when old Farmer Sprague came
down from Blue Rock hills. and asked
him to preach in the school-house at
Smyrne. tiny village in the center of
the Blue Rock region. he went with
on: thought of the possible effect of
the step upon his future. Among the
granite rocks the grass grew sweet
ami thick. and the farmers round about
were rich in herds and flccks, but
they had so long been accustomed to
receiving their preaching for nothing
froni neighboring pastors imbued with
missionary spirit, it was difficult
task to convince them that they should
have church to support as well as to
enjoy. Bat in fifteen months after
Ephraim arrival there was an oryan;z-
ell body of one hundred and two men,
bers ut Smvrne. and the next wear the
stately elms that shaded the school |
house tempered the sunshine tt at fell
upon neat Westinghouse Just across
the WAY. Then Ephraim married. 1t
was most foolish step from worldly |
pcin. of view. If the Blue Rock people !
Were sure to find fault with young
woman of many accomplishments and j
a snug dowry. they were sure TO find
ten thousand faults with Israel Fosters
daughter. though she was as pretty i
and sweet as one of the wild roses that
for a brief time in June made the stone
fences of Blue Rock beloved of hum.
N n.---hilds and bees. Israel Foster was
Of no more account than Father Down.