Mower County transcript., 1889-10-23
TRIED AS BY FIRE,
Rev. Phineas Dustin's Month at
Poke Island.

near Barnbury. found among his mail
one evening q letter in a yellow en-
vetOpc, addressed in an old-fashioned
turned hand 1t was from the clerk of
the church at Poke Island. Would he
hear the Macedonian cry and visit Poke
Island. there to break to them the
bread Of life for one month, with y
view to settlement? Rev. Phineas
Dustin went home to his wife with
glad heart, and that night they offered
thaaks to God for this providential
opening. He had preached in Huckins
macy years and would have gladly re-
maiued many moro; but the craze for
a younger man had struck the parish.
He was not go very old-only fifty
three or tkerea bouts-but be had not
learned all the new aud novel methods.
useful aud otherwise, which the
younger generation were using. The
young people and some of the older
ones demanded minister who should
Introduce all the now ways, giving little
or no thought to such thing as individ-
ual conversion resulting. So he had
resigned, not with resentment but with
sorrow,
That was four months before. The
church had not sottled a pastor though
thoro had been several candidates.
Rev. Phine2s Dustin had preached as
a supply few times here and there,
but uo hint of calling him had ever
boon made; so this letter from Poke
Island seemed to him almost call 1t
was Wednesday evening when the let
ter came. aod the parson and his wife.
aftor long consultation over the mat
ter. decided that he should start for
Poke Island the following Friday BY
the forenoon coach. This was done.
Rev. Phineas Dustin took his depart
ure with light heart and serene face.
carrying his inseparaple friend. the
unbrolla. and his handbag. This lat
ter was facesously referred to by the
driver as 4 ''gripsack full of gospel
but he meant no harm. as he gave the
pareon afree ride to tho depot at Barn.
bury. 1t was ouly two hours ride by
railroad TO the coach connection for
Cotse Island. but it was nearly evening
when he reached the end of his journey
an" was left by the roadside at a path
leading to house perclcd high above
on the bluff which gave an unob.
struc:ed view of the ocean. This wae
tt:s home OF Deacon Purki< who kept
the 'ministers: hotel,' which In every
parish soR1e warm heart usually opens.
The deacon and his wife were. from
pf}uciple. the friend OF the minister,
aud. having no children are still
mourning over the death ofthe deacon {
aged mother six months ago, were very
glad to cotettI;n Rev. phineas Dustin.
The ncx: Gay our parson took q look
over hrs prospective parish. a sort oi
bird's cse Wow. geographical aod
spiritual It Wa q crooked, struggling
sort u town.
fcar'y every street began at a small
wharf tad, running bncx . little way
1ntD tho colatry. ended in some
farmers door yarL The one road
worthy OF tho name was the old turn
pike BY which he arrived, which le.l
si5rg shore To the new settlement at
the Bluff. K 40 people wore plenty,
h,.d-worxiag. war,u-hearted, many
fore harerd- Farming and fishing
wore tie :ac1str!es. and most faniiiea
cexrica ~ both branches. Before he
Get h..ek 10 :hc hou8e the DEACON met
i:n "a a4xe.. hilE 10 GO and visit hi.
saoshc>'s grave It wss on = blsaa