The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1889-10-24
TRIED AS BY FIRE,
Rev. Phineas Dustin'e Month u.
Poke Island.

near barnbury, found among bis mail
one evening a letter in yellow en-
velope, addressed in an old-fashioued
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 u
view, TO- ;, settlement? Rev. Phineas
Dustin went home to his wife with
glad heart, and that night they offered
thanks to God for this providential
opening. He had preached in Huckins
many years and would have gladly re-
manned many more; but the craze for
younger man had struck the parish.
He was not SO very old-only fifty
three or thereabouts-but he had not
learned all the new and novel methods.
useful and otherwise, which the
younger generation were using. The
young people and some of the older
ones demanded a minister who should
introduce all the new ways, giving little
or no thought to such a 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 settled a pastor though
there bad beeu several candidates.
Rev. Phineas Dustin had preached as
a supply few times here and there,
but no hint of calling him had ever
been made; so this letter from Poke
Island seemed to him almost a call. It
was Wednesday evening when the let
ter came, and the parson and his wife.
after long consultation over the mat
ter. decided that he should start for
Poke Island the following Friday bv
the forenoon coach. This was done.
Rev. Phineas Dustin took his depart
ure with light heart and serene face,
carrying his inseparaple friend. the
umbrella, ard his handbag. This lat
ter was 'facetiously referred to by the
driver as ''gripsack full of gospel;'
but he meant no harm. Us he gave the
parson afree ride to the depot at Barn
bury. 1t was only a two hours ride by
railroad to the coach connection for
Poke Island, but it was nearly evening
when he reached the end of his journey
and was left by the roadside at path
leading to house perchcd high above
on the bluff which gave an unob-
structed view of the ocean. This WIS
the home Of Deacon Purkis who kept
the ministers hotel" which in every
parish some warm heart usually opens.
The deacon aud his wife were, from
principle. the friend Of the minister,
and. having no children are still
mourning over the death OF the deacon's
aged mother six months ago, were very
glad to entertain Rev. Phineas Dustin.
The next day our parson took look
over his prospective parish, a sort of
birds eye view. geographical add
spiritual. It was 4 crooked, struggling
sort of town.
Nearly every street began at small
wharf and, running back little way
into the country. ended in some
farmers door-yard.> The one road
worthy of the name was the old turn
pike by which he arrived. which led
along shore to the now settlement at
tho Bluffs. The people were plenty,
Woodworking, warm-hearted, many
fore handed. Farming and fishing
were the industries. and most families
carried on both branches. Before he
got back to the house the deacon met
him and asked him to 60 and visit his
mothers grave. 1t was on q bleak
hillside, seward. one of u few mounds
composing the family lot, and very
dreary because of its location. Over
the maternal grave plain marble slab
had been ere cted. with this remark
able inscription following TIE name
and age:
Honor. virtue. Love, combine,
"a This mother is NINE. J. p"
1t was original; the deacon's master
piece. carved in marble, with his own
initials added. In the eyes of the vii.
lage and in his own eyes the deacon
had at one stroke given honor to his
mother and won fame for himself.
Sunday morning dawned bright and
clear aud Rev. Phineas Dustin entered
the church in like condition. A little
embarrassed during the preliminaries
: he forgot it all during the long prayer,
: when he uttered the real longings o.
his heart. The sermon was somewhat
lengthy, logical and full Of lite and
: hope In fact. the preacher: though,
that night II he had only preached
that way in; Huckins he perhaps would
t. not. now be candidatiug. The people
uf Poke Island were delighted. Jus,
what they wanted. they said to one
another. Several of the brethren told