The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-12-29
listened 70 attentively by thoughtful, in-
tell gent and serious men; and II they were


tell gent and serious men and II they were
in pript could be read with profit by all.
Though spare looking man, his genera
health has been good and during all these
long wears he has seldom been absent from
his Dos, of duty. He has seldom Jailed u
administer the sacraments of the church Al
their proper seasons, or 10 visit the sick Ol
10 bury the dead. He has had but two
vacations ~ to speak, in all this time, AND
they we're of short duration--a visit to hl'
friends at ST. Anthony's Falls and 10 the
Hot Springs In Arkansas And when he
returned he did no, see III To entertain MS
congregation, in lieu Of sermon, with
sketch of his travels.
| He never preached political sermon
nor made political speech, during all the
| bitter strife OF our civil war lie observed
the proclamatuns II Thanksgiving and oi
fasting and prayer issued by the President
and the sermons he preached on THESE
occasions were rather those OF the patrio
tnan of the partisan.
He never preached fulsome funeral
sermon; he preached more to the living
than of the dead. He Is a strong and earn
est churchmaD, but Is not uncharitable tt
those who differ with him. He never an
polnccs the subject OF his next Sundays
discourse in quaint and irreverent way IL
order 10 draw a morbid crowd, after the
manner of popular sensational preachers
Such sermons may draw" far II while, but
they cannot stand the test OF thirty years.
Such may be some Of the reasons why
our rector has endeared himself TO his peo.
| pie In his walk and conversation In his
daily life and his pulpit.
C0wper deplOred the state OF the pulpit
In his day, and In his poem "Ihe Task,
he pictured TO himself our imaginary
preacher.
have thought that II Goldsmith's par
son could apply TO our esteemed rector In
manner Of life, COwpers preacher would
suit him In the pulpit when he says
Would describe preacher. such as Paul,
Were he on earth, would hear approve and own;
Paul should himself direct me,
would express him simple. grave. sincere.
In doctorIne uncorrupt; in tongue, PLAIN;
And plain in manner, much impressed;
Himself ~ conscious Of his awful charge
And anxious mainly that the flock he feeds
May feel 1t too aiiectionnte IN look
And tender In address, rs well becomes
messenger Of grace to guilty man.
Dec. 25th. A. w. ".
FARM RIDGE, Dec. 27.-The Christmas
festivities have been very mild and quiet.
Mrs. Griffith and children, are spending
the holidays In Chicago.
Mr. Jaeger is spending his weeks vaca-
ton 10 Ottawa.
The roads are very rough and everybody
stays at home or goes a foot
The Doctors housekeeper, Esther VII
son, was kicked by a colt this morning,
while she was caring for the DIS horses
in his absence.
Some of the boys of this burg attended
the crystal wedding of Mr.. T. }. Patterson
and wife, on the south side. They report
a splendid time and many presents
A very pleasant Occurrance Dec. 18th, at
the residence Of Mr. Holster, pastor OF the
Episcopal church In this place. was the
celebration of the thirtiety university OF
his pastorate, by his friends, who filled the
parsonage In the evening with smiling
faces and lively chatter; and after refresh
ments, provided by the guests, presented to
the pastor gold headed cane, together with
a purse of 1913. Rev. Mr. Edwards of Of
tawa, made the presentation In very neat
speech. u