The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1888-07-05
THE NEW PREACHER
BY THE REV. a s. 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
Same height, and offered the same
hands. But others who can read be-
tween the lines, and are thankful for
the git, declare that it was new
preacher. He had gone through some
expcrioncc. His soul had changed. He
had been born again!
The preacher sat in his cozy study in
the afternoon hours. 1t was his "den,'
where he was secure from all Interrupt
ton, and furnished with the luxury Of
a Sybarite. Soft rugs upon the floor,
handsome vases on the low bookcases
that encircled the walls, rare etchings
upon tho easel costly engravings on
every side, a cabinet of coins in one
corner, and q poem in marble in another
it was no wonder that he felt a thrill
OF scIf-satisfaction as ho glanced in
every dire ction. 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 row of volumes since his occu-
pancy of the pulpit, but this was to be
his 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 well; and his poems had
also rapid sale. AS a popular lee
turer lie always commanded a large au-
| dicncc. His travels in the East and his
discovery of the missing tractato of
st. Thcodosius had gained him the
doctorate from three Old World uoivor-
sItics.
Yes, he had been singularly success
ful, and that too, without STOPPING to
any mean tricks. He was above syco-
phancy and self-advcrtising. He had
made his way by hard pushing, By reso-
lutte work, by sheer stamina, he was
wont to say. Not two decades in the
pulpit, he had long outstripped preach
ers of his class in the seminary, and
left them and oder graduates far be-
hind. He was known as the eminent,
the distinguished, and he enjoyed the
luxury of fame as only men Of his char
acter can. He had never done low
action; he had never driven over an ad-
versary, but his talent and genius made
a track for themselves from the very
start.
1t must be confessed that the preacher
who was never idle, but always mira
c,e of industry, had one solitary failing
perhaps there were others-ho loved
to dwell upon his success, and 60 over
in memory each step in his advance
ment. That afternoon he was just il
such a mood, and his pride was attain
ing fever-heat.
''Jamesw 1t was the voice of his
wife as she drew aside the heavy cur
tain that shut eff the "den" from tht
hall of the parsonage.
'Well2" came a querulous tone from
the preacher, disturbed in his revcry.
''The boy is here whom you wished t,
8ce."
"What boy" he asked, in an i'm
patient tone,
Don't you remember3 The boy 70
whom you were to secure a situation
You cannot, surely, have forgotten it. ,
There was shade of pain in her voice
"Oh, let him come tomorrow, Edith
l cannot bo bothered now. l have m,
thoughts busy enough with other mat
ters. Let him come-say, this day mex
week"
'But, James," with gentle remons
srance in her tone-'James, his mother
is destitute; she must have money"
, 81 cannot help it. Why am alway
troubled by that class of peoblel
WoulI TAX tI0 pdIAo4C0 VI "OO Va vi
j purse of Cro5us. Let him come mex
j. week; do you hoar2"
, The preachers wife heard; she sishe'
: as she turned away, and bade the bo.
!, come the following week. Then seein.
him to the door, she gave him trif
for present needs.
. The preacher resumed his revery, bu
found it difficult to regain his self
( satisfaction. His nature was keenl
, sensitive, and the slightest cause woul
often produce the intense jar. An
, now what had snapped asunder HI
pleasant fancies2 What had vexcd hil
a at the moment of his exhilaration3
1t was his wife's slgh-Iow, trent