Thomas County cat., 1888-04-05
THE NEW PREACHER.
The Experience by Which His
Soul Was Changed.

The Experience by Which 61s
Soul Was Changed.
Most people would say that it was ne
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 fol
the gift, declare that it Uas a new
preacher. He had gone through some
experience. His soul had changed.
He had been born again!
The preacher sat in his cozy study in
the afternoon hours. It was his
"den," where he was secure from al
interruption, 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 the easel. costly en-
cravings on every side, cabinet OF
coins in one corner, and poem in
marble in another-it was no wonder
that he felt thrill of self-satisfaction
as he glanced in every direction. And
his sense of comfort was heightened by
the roll of proof-sheets upon his desk
his latest work almost ready for pub.
lication. There was long row OF
volumes since his occupancy of the
pulpit, but this was to be his browning
effort, and to increase still further mis-
fame.
There were the books. the creations
of his genius, on long shelf all by
themselves. The critics spoke highly
of them; the public bought them; the
learned world acknowledged their
merit. History. biography, criticism,
were his special fields. But his mind
was so versatile that he could produce
novels as well; and his poems had also
a rapid sale. As popular lecturer he
always commanded large audience.
His travels to the East and his discov-
cry of the missing tractate of St Theo-
dosius had gained him the doctorate
from three Old World universities.
Yes. he had been singularly success
full, and that, too, without STOPPING to
any mean tricks. He was above syco-
phancy and self-advertising. He had
made his way by hard pushing, by
resolute work. by sheer stamina. he
was wont to say. Not two decades in
the pulpit, he had long outstripped
preachers of his class in the seminary,
and left them and older graduates far
behind. He was known as the emil
nent, the distinguished. and he enjoyed
the luxury of fame as only men of his
character can. He had never done a
low action; he had never driven over
AN adversary, but his talent and genius
made track for themselves from the
very start.
1t must be confessed that the
preacher who was never idle. but al
ways a miracle of industry. had one
solitary failine-perhaps there were
loved to dwell upon his
success, and go over in memory each
step in his advancement. That after
noon he was just in such mood, and
his pride was attaining fever heat.
"James!' 1t was the voice of his
wife. as she drew aside the heavy cur
tain that shut off the "den" from
.the hall of the parsonage.
"Well?' came querulous tone
from the preacher, disturbed in his
revery.
The boy is here whom you wished
to see."
"What boy?" he asked. in an I'M
patient tone.
don't you remember? The boy
for whom You were to secure a situa-
ton. You can not, surely, have for
gotten it. There was shade of
pain in her voice.
"Oh, let him come tomorrow.
Edith; can not be bothered now. l
have my thoughts busy enough with
other matters. Let him come-say.
this day next week."
''But, James," with gentle remon-
STRANGE in her tone" james, his
mother is destitute; she must have
money"
II can not help it. Why am al
ways troubled by that class of people?
1t would tax the patience of Job or
the purse of Cresus. Let him come
next week; do you hear?''
The preachers wife heard; she sighed
as she turned away. and bade the boy
come the following week. Then seeing
him to the door. she gave him a triile
for present needs.
TIE preacher resumed his revery,
but found it difficult to regain his self
satisfaction. His nature was keenly
sensitive. and the slightest cause would
often produce the intensest jar. And
now what had snapped asunder his
pleasant fancies? What had vexed
him at the moment of his exhilaration?
It was his wife's sigh-low. tremul-
-OuS scarcely audible-which had