Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1888-07-18
REV. EPHRAIM DOWNEY.
A Query as to the Real Reason
Why He Left the Ministry.

Why He Left the Ministry.
When the doctors of divinity at
Waterbury heard that Rev. Ephraim
Downey had descended from the pulpit
of Annex, and had m Mounted the drivers
seat on a cart filled with cheap tin and
miscellaneous assortment of trifes
which could be exchanged for rags,
they shook their learned heads with
disgust untempered with mercy.
HE was always mean-spirited, said
the president who rejoiced when the
Waterbury men sat in the high places
of the earth. He took the first chance
he had after his graduation.
Yes" said Dr. Popham; "his name
has never been mentioned in connec-
ton with any church of standing.
Every other man in his class now liv-
ing is ID. D..
Only DR.. Strong, who had been re-
tired, had word of excuse for him;
but as the doctor was "old," his opin-
Ion did not count. And thereafter no
documents were sent to Ephraim from
Waterbury, save such as related to it's
material upbuilding. and requested
testimonials, 'etc. To make up ones
mind not to give honors to mean
spirited man is one thing, but to re-
solve to refuse such moneys as he may
have to bestow, requires buckram prin-
ciples not to be expected from 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
kindly doctor, and earned his board.
By filling the post of janitor at the
village academy, he had his tuition
free. He was not what 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-covercd hills that shut his native
town from the college. At last he was
as ready as a man may be to do his
Masters business.
Father Downey was not member of
any church. As family, the Downeys
were of small account, and had mar
ried into families of small account.
No one ever thought OF them in Moss
vile when enumcrating ''our best citi-
zens;" so it happened that in all the
numerous, blamcless tribe there was
not man who could speak good
word for Ephraim with chance of be-
Ing heard; and rs he belonged to a sect
not bound together by formal organi-
cation, he was without u settlement
long after every man in his class was
placed. Even Twacker the Ounce,
was established over flourishIng flock
in Hoppleton, whose great business
interest, mailing, was in the hands Of
Phzenmeyer, his maternal uncle. Per-
haps if Ephraim had been self-assert-
Ing, and had clamored at 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;
30 when old Farmer Spraguo 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
out thought of the possible effect of
the step upon his future. Among the
granite rocks the grass grew sweet
and thick, and the farmers round about
were rich in herds and focks, but
they had so long been accustomed to
receiving their preaching for nothing
from neighboring pastors imbued with
q missionary spirit, it was difficult
task to convince them that they should
have church to support as well as to
enjoy. But in fifteen months after
Ephraim' arrival there was an organic
ed body of one hundred and two mem-
bers at Smyrne, and the next year the
stately elms that shaded the school
house tempered the sunshine that fell
upon neat Westinghouse just across
the way. Then Ephraim married. II
was most foolish step from worldly
point of view. If the Blue Rock people
were sure to find fault with a young
woman of many accomplishments and
q snug dowry they werc sure to find
ten thousand faults with Israel Foster s
daughter, though she was ms pretty
and sweet as one of the wild roses that
for q brief time in juno made the stone
fences of Blue Rock beloved of hum.
ming-birds aud bees. Israel Foster was
of no more account than Father Down
ney. He had earned n little home and
q few acres of land bartcring tin-warc
for rags; but tho house was now mort
gagged up to It's full value Ia
pay the debts of the
son who had lain down in that bed
of shame and sorrow-a drunkard' &
grave. Pretty Ruth knew no more
about getting on in the world than
EphraimL They were rs worldly wise
rs two babies in the woods. Having q
new Westinghouse, for which they
praised themselves not n little, and
feeling secretly conscious they could
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