Wichita eagle., 1888-07-18
TIE SUBSTITUTE.

bis countenance SO unlike the look OF wearf-
ness generally there visible that bis wife,
noticing 1t, inquired:
"What has occurred that has afforded you
such evident gratifcationr
"You know that l was wishing that I
might have temporary relief from my
cares, but was unwilling to take vaca-
ton because Of my belief that no church
should, even for one Sunday, be without
preaohingT
"Yes, and know that you owe 1t to your
people, not less than to yourself, to rest from
your labors; by so doing you could accomplish
much more Have you decided to go away
for a seasons"
''Read that" he replied, passing letter to
his wife
She unfolded the nisSive, whose contents
we're;
C@,N. z, July u, 49,
/ DEAR BROTHER PEySELL: You viii be surprised
1t hearing from your former classmate In Ando-
yer, between whom and yourself there has never
been any correspondence; but a few words VIII
render all comprehensive From my reInem-
brance Of your views respecting the duties OF
pastor, and from what have heard Of your faith
fulness, Iapprehend that you would not sacrifice
what you perhaps unwisely, regard the welfare
Of your people to your physical and, OF course,
Kneutai health and strength
A young man whom l consider very gifted has
been studying with me for nearly TWO yesrs and
would ike 20 preach a few Sundays experiment
ally Provided you wish to be absent from your
charge for q month or six weeks NY friend will
gladly supply your pulpit during that time for
no other compensation tnau his BOARD If. how
ever. you shall choose to make him trifing do
nation. II win be very acceptable, as ne has to
provide for himself entirely
shall be absent from home until the middle of
September. SO If you think proper to accept my
suggestion please write to Mr. Thomas Smith,
Boston, whittier he Is going TO visit friends, on
receipt OF this With kindest wishes,
Frateraally yours, WILLIAM BLAKE.
'You will avail yourself of tins oppor-
tunity to recuperate your energiesa" asked
Mrs Pennen, having finished the letter.
Il shall IL seems too much like a diSpen-
sation of providence TO De neglected"
- am so glad"
MIR Pencil went to his library and wrote
tc Mr Smith, mentioning the letter from
"Brother" Blake, and inviting him to substi-
tute for him the coming SIX weeks.
Three days later MIR. Smith came to Brook
vile
he WAS of medium height, slight, pale
faced. had long, abundant whiskers, worn
TAnglais. curly hair of the same hue blue
ting regular features; was evidently not far
from -.
The following Sunday he occupied a seat
part in the exercises, except to offer the clos
ing prayer.
AT the conclusion OF the paorning services
the only one for the day-the pastor intro
duced him to the most prominent members,
tba 81,
mir. Smith will preach for me while am
having the vacation which it appears to be
my duty to take, and l think you will have
no reason to regret the temporary change"
Every one expressed his pleasure at hearing
that MI. Pennel had concluded to rest; no
one doubted but that MI Smith would salts
factorily meet all the requirements
indeed the new conner had already done
much toward securing the favor of those who
were to constitute his congregation
"What fervent prsyerl How earnest he
seems He is destined 10 becorne distin-
g1lished," and other like observations, might
have been heard. soto voce, from the elderly
people.
The maidens whispered to one another:
''Did you ever see such side whiskers4 What
magnificent eyes he hast Isn't he fine Look
gentler sex, be acted circunspectly. being
courteous toward all. but n,anifesting no
favoritism to any of them. In a fortnight
he was Us popular as clerg man could desire
10 be.
Il should like TO ask great favor Of you"
he said to Mr. Campbell, cashier of the local
bank, a pillar" of the church, as they sat in
conversation one evening.
an IA
is in my power to grant," WIS the reply
at is not exactly the thing for an humble
servant of the Lord to wear this ring"-ex-
tending his shapely white hand, whereon
sparkled large diamond at indicates q
taste for display that, commendable with
the rich, is reprehensible where the wearer
is poor and fitting for the vocation that is to
be mine | do not wear it as a matter Of
display, however, but because it Is an heir
looEa, from which have been unwilling to
part In the season Of my direst need Ths
people cannot know my motive in having 1t
appear upon my person. and Will probably
misspprehend it / would ask If you are
willing to give it place in your safe at the
banks"
Most assureily Garry it there In the
morning, and / viii deposit it where it viii
be secure"
Thank you My mind Is relieved Of
great responsibility"
The next morning be went to the bank,
and saw his ring placed where MIR. Campbell
convinced him it would be secure"
After an absence Of five weeks Mr.. PEN
rel returned to his charge and Mr.. Smith
went from Brookville % a small village in
Maine, where he was engaged to preach for
short time, he said
There WAS wide and deep regret at bis
departure, and not few Of the membsrs-
especially those who had Joined under his
aduliniStration-freeiy expressed their wish
that the lay preacher might continue to
substitute for the regular pastor. whom such
remarks reached and deeply grieved
Finally matters settled into their foner
channel. and moved on peacefully for the
greater part, though not without an occa-
sionA dIstur oance, such as the parish bad
not known prior 60 the advent OF Mr.. Smith
Toward the close of September a panic
was created In the place by the runner thst
the bank had been burgiarised to tho amount
OF nearly fSetooV-o ruaor that proved truel
The day that this announcetnent was p,s<ac
Mr.. Smith again came to BrookviIIe to OBJ
tain the ring, which be had thought best
should remain in the safe while lie WA
away.
Despite the gloom Of those who had 50.
rereo oy the curg,ary. rney were gao TO see
him. and, learning his loss. were SO sorry as
almost to forget their own
Though the intrinsic value Of the ring
was considerable, I valued 1t chiefly because
it had been in our family SC many years
handed down from one to another genera
ton be said. .but nv loss does not deserve