Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1888-05-18
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
sams height, and offered the same
hands. But others who can read be-
tween the lines, AID are thankful for
the git, declare that it was new
preacher. lie hal gone through some
experience. His soul had changed He
had been born again
The preacher sat in his coy study IN
the afternoon hours. 1t was his s'den,
where he was secure from all interrupt
tion, and furnished with the luxury Of
a sybaritc. Soft rugs upon the floor,
handsome vases on tho low bookcases
that encircled the walls, rare ctchiugs
upon tho easel, costly engravings on
every side, cabinet OF coins in one
corner, and poem in marble in another
-itwas no wonder that he felt thrill
of self-satisfactioa as he glanced in
every direction. Aud his sense Of c1m-
fort was heightened by the roll OF proof
sheets on his desk Ibis latest work al
most ready for publication. There was
long row Of volumes since his occu-
pancy Of tho pulpit, but this was to be
his crowaing effort, aud to increase still
further his fame.
There were the books, the creation 0,
his genius, on a long shelf all by them
selves. The critics spoke highly 4
them; the learned world Acknowledged
their merit History, biography, crit1
cism. were his special fields. But y
mind wac 50 versatile that ne could .,ej
duce novels as well; aud his poems l
slso rapid sale. AS a popular led
.urer lie always commanded large aud
dience. His travels in the East and hi.
discovery of the missing tractate O
st. Theodosius had gained him the
doctorate from three Old World univer.
slties.
Yes, he had been singularly success
full, and that. too, without STOPPING to
any mean tricks. Hc was above syco-
phancy and self-advertising. He had
made his way by hard pushing, by rcso-
Lutte work, by sheer stamina, he was
wont to say. Not two decades in tho
pulpit, he had long outstrippcd preach
srs of his class in tho seminary, and
left them and oder graduates far be-
hind. lie was known as the eminent,
Che distinguished, and he en- joyed the
luxury of fame as only mon 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
track for themselves from the very
start.
1t must be confessed that the preacher
who was never idle, lut always mira
Gle of industry, had one solitary failing
perhaps therc were others-ho loved
to dwell upon his sue cess, and 60 over
In memory each step in his advance
ment. That afternoon he was just in
such a mood, and his pride was attain
ing fever-heat.
"James" 1t was the voice of his
wife as she drew asilc the heavy cur
tain that shut off the ''dcn" from the
hall of the parsonage.
"WeIll" came a querulous tone from
the preacher, disturbed in his revcry.
"The boy is here whom you wished to
see."
"What boy" he asked, in an i'm
patient tone.
Don't you remem5er2 The boy for
whom you were to secure situation.
You cannot, surely, have forgotten it.
There was a shade of pain in her voicc.
"Oh, 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 next
week."
''But, James," with gentle remon''
trance in her tone flames, his mother
is destitute; she must hive money"
Il cannot help it. Why am always
troubled by that class of pcoblea 1t
would tax the patience of Job or the
purse of Cr0ius. Let him come next
week; do you hcarl'
The preachers wife heard; she sished
as she turned away, and bade the boy
come the following week Taen scein{
him to the door, she gave him a tFiho
for present needs.
The preacher resumed his reyerN Du'
found it difficult to regain his seh-
satisfaction. His nature was kcenly
sensitive, and the slightest cause wou's
often produce the intcnsest jar. Anu
now what had snapped asunder ms
pleasant fanciesQ What had vexod nm
at the moment of his exhilarations
1t was his wife's sigh-low, tremu
lous, scarcely audible-which had pens,
trated his soul and ranked there, a. :
imbued with physical potency. Il was
the sigh Of his wife, gen,l', patient, w
complaining, ihat had stirred him ,fS-
his dreams. He rose from his ei''~''
He paced up and down the room
never sighed. Why should his VIZ