Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1889-06-25

/ hitno-N Nlinh NNu nv ttkhtf RNhh
dy." assented the vicar. eagerly. "Mr.
Cribbcr seems scarcely up to the mark
for such a congregation as ours. There
were several other applicants who were
highly rccommendcd-Mr. Playfair. for
instance"
II am surc he would h. popular" said
the church warden.
"well. I shall give the matter my
best consideration: and you may rest
assured II viii H. my wish to do what.
ever i for the highest interests of the
congregation"
DR. Sparkle spoke In his most dulcct
tone. but as soon as Mr. Gnndy left
the room be- at down aud wrote a. fol-
lows Ia the Rev. Jonathan;
"D,ar Sir-From what | hear ~ the
sermon delivered by you last night. !
rrgrrt that am obliged Ia conclude
that YOU arc altogether unsuited 90 NV
cumcy. My poplo have bscome accus-
toned Ia original. Or at all events indie.
pendent thought In the pulpit, and ! do
not suppose you would yourself main.
tain the applicability u either of these
words to the discourse with which YOU
favored them. return the testimonials
YOU scnt me. and remain yours. faith.
fully. T. SPARKLE"
Having sent this III tempered produc.
ton 10 the post. the unfortunate man
vas forthwith ashamed u himself and
would gladly have recalled u. lie blamed
himself for all that had happcned. and
i.came 4, victim to horrible rcmor-c and
abjcct fear. Ills wife. who had learned
something - what had passed. had her
own suspicious. but. like q wise woman.
she kept them 90 herself, and did her
bcst to comfort her husband.
That very afternoon tic Rev. iona.
than Cnbler. In bot Indignation. sought
out the clerical agent who had made up
for his own lack of brains and energy.
and bearded him IN his den.
At first be- stated his case without
mentioning any names.
II can only say" replied the suave
cleric Who devoted hi, energies 90 help
Ing hi. weaker brethren. "tlat Tor origin
ality of thought and freshness - treat.
ment consider The Foolishness of
Preaching to h. among my master
pieces. I could show YOU numcrou. let.
tiers that have received In reference 10
that very sermon. There must. take
II. b. something very unfortunate In
your voice or mo'lo ~ delivery. Now
| ann about Ia form clerical rlocution
class. and would strongly urge upon
yVu" --
"lly voice Ia excellent. sirl lhavc been
congratulated upon IL again and again,
roarpd the Reverend jonathan.
II DO not doubt IT, power. sir" rc.
plicl the clerical agent. with deprc.
catory motion - the hand. "Lut 1t may
ned
You talk about letters. sir. Read
that. sail the iratc Cribler. interrupt.
ing him and hinging Dr.. STarkle's note
ulon the table.
Tho agent rcal the letter. and then.
after a few minutes conversation. BE- rc-
marked.
do YOU mean 10 say that YOU gave
them The Foolishncss ~ Preaching IN
Dr. sparklc's churchf
II lo. and Why no,l paid you Tor
Tho sermon.
"You told me YOU were In Lincoln
diocese when ssnt IL 90 YOU"
And ~ was. but ! came tO town to
sec after Dr. Sparklc's cuucy. ! had a
I-ricct right a. prach the sermon.
.ail the Rev Jonathan ticrcely.
"Y,s. suppose you had-at your own
risk. admitted the agent.
"lut 1t las lot mc an excellent Gu
ncy." continued the inte Cubber.
"And YOU have 1t tue an excellent
client. Cool morning"
On the following Sunday Dr. Sparklos
pulpit was occupied hy Mr.. Play fair,
and it was announced that the vicar. IN
Obedience to the Ierrmptory orders ot
hi. medical adviser. had gone abroad
Tor a few weeks
The doctor j. now. with his faithful
wife by his side. recruiting his energies
nud LAYING in "a genuine stock - frcsh
ideas. llc has resolved Tor the future
Ia have 10 secrets frCm Mr. Sparkle,
aud to csch,w skeletons " - London