Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-04-24
LAWYER AND PARsON.


LAWYER AND PARsON.
A Maine Clergyman About Whom Some
Good Things Arc Told.
That a moderate reputation at the bar
is not to be regarded as an insurmount-
able barrier to vital piety of church
membership has been definitely settled
in certain Maine town where an inter
esting revival of religion has been in
progress under administration of Par
son Brown, an able preacher and some
thing of wit. A young lawyer had
been regular attendant at the meet
ings and had gone forward to the
anxious seat, yet seemed to be in no
hurry to unite with. the church. The
sickle having been thrust in unsparing-
ly for several weeks, the good parson
was naturally longing to gather in the
sheaves. Hoping to hasten the harvest.
he invited the lawyer to tell his expe-
rience and explain the difficulties which
prevented his joining the church.
The hesitating convert arose and said
that he felt the need of being Chris
tian, but he was just starting in the
world and had no way of making liv-
ing but by practicing at the bar. He
doubted whether man could be law
yer and Christian, too.
At this juncture Parson Brown called
out: ''Come along, brother! Come
along! You are not lawyer enough to
hurt"
That church now numbers disciple
of Blackstone among its members.
Parson Brown, who loves joke,
though it be at his own expense, is
fond of relating his experience in circu-
lating su description paper for the pur-
pose of raising funds to single q
church. Among others he called on a
merchant who was liberal man where
the object was praiseworthy. In the
present instance he subscribed five dol
lars. Shortly afterward the parson
called to collect the amount, but tho
merchant. having had occasion to pay
out all his money that day, informed
the clergyman of the fact and invited
him to call again. This did not ex-
actly accord with the parsons views.
Looking around the store he discov-
cred kit of maclkerel. which he thought
might be easily converted into cash.
How much for mackerel?" he asked.
''Five dollars kit" replied the mer-
chant.
"Well, if you have no objection, I'll
take that kit for your subscription"
''All right, parson," said the merchant.
heartily. you're welcome to any thing
in my store to the amount of FIVE dol
lars, but though mackerel are famous
for making man dry, 1 wouldn't shin
gle my church with them if 1 were YOU"
The parson once numbered among his
Pensioners an eccentric character
known as ''Uncle Mark" who invaria-
bly, went to sleep in church. Sometimes
it happened that he began his nap be-
fore the commence ment of the sermon,
thereby relieving the preacher of the
responsibility of putting him to sleep.
On one of these occasions, when the
drowsy worshiper had snored through
the opening exercises, the parson rose
and in loud voice cried:
MARK
Taken completely by surprise, Uncle
Mark awoke with start and promptly
responded: ''Hello."
Perfectly regardless of him the par
son continued:
- Mark, 1 say, the perfect man and
behold the upright, for the end of that
man is peace"
Having thus announced his text the
parson went on with his sermon, during
the delivery of which, it is needless to
add. Uncle Mark managed to keep
awake.-Lewiston Journal