, 1889-06-28


striking and pathetic address from the
words, 1.-THE foolishness of preaching, /"
and the physical disability under which
he vas evidently laboring only served to
heighten the effect of his illusions to the
"earthen vessels" to which celestial
treasures were so often intrusted. But
in the evening, obedient to his doctors
orders, the good man stayed al home,
leaving the whole service to Mr.. Cribber,
and submitting himself patiently to such
coddling measures as his wife thought
to enforce.
AS the night drew on DR.. Sparkle be
came very much depressed, despite all
his wife's efforts to cheer him.
81 am sure you would have been
pleased, dear, if you could have heard
the way the people spoke Of you when
coming out Of church this morning.
The Grundys had some friends with
them, and they said that they had never
heard q better sermon"
Generally the vicar was keen enough
to listen to any little bit of tittle-tattle
of n flattering character, but on the pres
ent occasion he seemed distressed rather
than pleased. Turning ~uneasily on his
pillow-his wife had made him go to
bed early-he merely said in a languid
voice:
"And you, my deas-what did you
think of it7'
II think it was the most beautiful ser
mon you ever preached, replied the lady
enthusiastically, Though all your ser
mons ave been splendid of late. Some
months ago, you remember, you COM
planned of feeling exhausted, and insist
cd that the fountain of your'ideas was
drying up But it seems to me that ever
since your ideas nave been brighter and
more original than formerly; they have
bubbled and sparkled as though to match
your name"
This was an old family joke, and it
always used to please him. Now, how
ever, 1t seemed to nave lost its efficacy.
The worthy man threw his arms impa-
tiently on the counterpart, and *
claimed bitterly:
81 feel exhausted and utterly dried up
tonight anyhow. I'm fit for nothing"
"You have studied too hard, Lethe,
dear. Your brain has been over
wrought" said Mrs. Sparkle affection
ately. 1--WE must go for q nice long
holiday when the new curate comes.
Only last week DIR. Brigg said that II
ever n man had earned a holiday you
had"
"Ah, by the way, 1 wonder how Crib
Der is getting onT'i interrupted the vicar,
glad, apparently, to change the topic of
conversation. 81 should like to have
heard him for myself"
"You are better where you are, dear,
much better" urged the good woman.
as she carefully tucked him In for the
night. "Mr. Grundy will bring us all
the news in the morning, and then we
al talk things over"
1.-THE important thing is what Mrs.
Grundy, tho mouthpiece of the flock,
will say" remarked the vicar, as he
settled himself among the pillows,
pleased apparently with his own wit.
On Monday morning the vicar was SO
far recovered that he was able to receive
Mr.. Grundy in his study. The worthy
church warden was evidently Ill at ease.
His inquiries as to the pastors health
were profuse and long drawn out; his OBJ
servations on the weather were diffuse
and inconsistent. At length DR.. Sparkle
found it necessary to bring him to the
point.
well, Mr.. Grundy, 1 am waiting to
hear how everything went off last night"
"Oh, first rate, sir, first rate. Large
congregation, beautiful anthem, offertory
above the average"
"And Mr.. Cribber7"
"a most excellent young man, as I
believe, sir. Fine voice, made a good
impression-that is, on those who hadn't
heard you in the morning."
The vicar smiled, and looked well
pleased at what he deemed to be q neat
compliment intended for himself.
"Well my friend, you must remember
he is but a young nan and without much
experience. Weought not to be too criti-
cal. We all had to make a beginning
once"
at isn't that, sir. It was the coinci-
dence that struck the people"
1.-THE whatY' exclaimed DIR. Sparkle,
a g sense Of uneasiness creeping
over him.
The Foolishness of Preaching over
again. mean his tex was the same as
that which you 80 ably expounded in
the morning"
Rather awkward" laughed the vicar.
II fear 1t would have embarrassed the
poor young fellow had he known about
1t; but, after all, the thing might easily
happen. Tho words are In the evening
lesson, though l took them for my text
in the morning. You see, the arrange
ment for Mr.. Cribber to preach was
somewhat hurriedly made"
but it isn't only the text-it is the
sermon itself the people are talking
about, sir. didn't pay much attention
myself, but Mrs. Grundy will have it
that, though the words were different,
the substance, the backbone, the skele-
ton was just the same"
THE skeletonI' exclaimed the yicar
in n horror stricken voice.
"Well, that's the word my wife used"
said the church warden apologetically.
II didn't quite follow her myself; for,
though I've heard of people having skele-
tons in a cupboard, l never knew of one
in u pulpit" Mr.. Grundy laughed at his
own smartness, but a lark cloud settled
upon the broad brow of DR.. Sparkle.
Il think" he at last said gravely,