The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-10-19
TRIED AS BY FIRE.
Rev. Phineas Dustin's Month at
Poke Island.

Rev. Phineas Dustin, of Huckins,
near Barnbury, found among his mail
one evening a letter in a yellow en-
velope, 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 Il
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-
mained many more; but the craze for
a 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 We're using. The
young people and some of the older
ones demanded a minister who should
introduce all the new ways, giving little
or no thoughtto 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 had been 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 call. 1t
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 by
the forenoon coach. This was done.
Rev. Phineas Dustin took his depart
are with light heart and serene face,
carrying his inseparaple friend, the
umbrella, and his nd-bag. This lat
ter was facetiously referred to by the
driver as "gripsack full of gospel;"
but he meant no harm, as he gave the
parson a free ride to the depot at Barn
bury. 1t was only 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 was
the home of Deacon Purkis who kept
the ministers hotel" which in every
parish some warm heart usually opens.
The deacon and his wife were, from
principle, the friend of the minister.
and, having no children are still
mourning over the death of the deacons
aged mother six months ago, were very
glad TO entertain Rev. Phineas Dustin.
The next day our parsop took look
over his prospective parish, sort Of
birds eye view, geographical and
spiritual. 1t was 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 new settlement at
the Bluffs. The people were plenty,
hard working, warm-hearted, many
fore handed. Farming and fishing
were the industries. aud most families
carried on both branches. Before he
got back to the house the deacon met
him and asked him to go and visit his
mothers grave. 1t was on a bleak
hillside, seaward. one of few mounds
composing the family lot, and very
dreary because OF its location. Over
the maternal grave a plain marble slab
had been erected, with this remark
able inscription following the name
and age:
'Honor. virtue, Love. combine,
This mother is mine. j. r."
II 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