The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1890-07-18

ing a pastor, an occupation that had en-
crossed their energies FOR some time past
For it was fully seven months since The
council had assembled to formally dismiss
Mr. Barnes, and had declared the pulpit
vacant. Mr.. Barnes had labored faithfully
in their service for five long years. Dur
ing this time he had preached good, if moi
brilliant, sermons; attended regularly al
the prayer-meeting. and made all the pas
toral calls that one mortal man, without
a horse and buggy, could reasonably be
expected to make. And yet his congrega-
ton was not satisfied. limitations finally
reached the ears of the good mar
that resignation would be resignedly ac
cepted. lie sent 1t in, and the papers mex
day announced the grief of the First church
at the resignation OF their beloved pastor,
Mr.. Barnes, whose lies health forced
him to seek a mere sainbrious climate.
Nlereupen il deyoised upon the orphaned
congregation to choose for themselves a
pastor-a man after thdr own hearts; one
who should possess all the virtues of their
late pastor as well as those he lacked.
They proceeded to search fer him in a truly
orthodox way, namely, by entertaining
candidates. Sabbath after Sabbath be-
held a different divine in the pulpit. They
came, We knew net whence, and went,
We knew not whittier. They embraced
every known type Of man, from the veneer
able d.. D., Of three score and ten to the
immature theological student of twenty
one
At length, when expectation was we'll
nigh exhausted, a cheering ray penetrated
tile gloom oftleir dependency. and in their
minds eye they could see as their "
established pastor the brilliant young
preacher who was holding audiences spell
bound in a Western city. a delegation
was dispatched to treat with him. He
had graciously considered tho matter, aud
the whole ituation was as encouraging as
it we'll could be. He was to preach for
them, on trial, on the first Sabbath in De
cember, aud on tie Saturday evening Prev
iously Deacon GIlkey and his wife were
returning from IA days shopping in
Chicago. Just as the cars were starting,
Mr.. Anles, another pillar in the church,
hurried IN, and seeing Mr.. and Mrs. Gill
key, dropped into the seat behind them,
the other half of which was occupied by a
strange gentleman in a fur trimmed over
coat and a seal-skin cap.
Getting chilly, remarked Mr.. Ames
to Mr.. Gilkey, as an introduction to con
versation. meanwhile buttoning up his
ogercoat.
The remark recalled the fact to Mr.. Gil
key. and he bustoned mp his coat aud re-
plied:
Yes; looks like a little storm"
Suppose you'll be out u church to
morrow said Mr.. Ames.
"Yes, 1 presume SO. assented Mr.. Gil
key, aud Mrs. Gilkey, said Yes, certain
ly." with a glance at the band-box at her
feet, which suggested the idea that a mil
liner had made assurance dnubly sure
in her case, but, OF course, suggested no
such thought to Mr.. Ames, who observ-
ed.
Il guess our people will turn out pretty
generally to hear N new man."
They ought to" said Mr.. Gilkey, for
lie seems to be about cur last chance, and
Isay we'd better take him if he suits any
kind of way"
I'VE might as we'll shut mp the church
il We don't get some one before long,"
said MIR. Ames, gloomily. There wasn't
a bakers dozen out last Sabbath, and the
Halls and McAllisters have given up their
pewS. Hail says he won't pay pew-rent
for the sort of preaching we've had late
ly."
at needn't MAKE any difference to him
what kind of preaching we have; he's
never there remarked Mrs. Gilkey,
severely.
What does DIR. Williams have To say
about this Mr.. Grant that's going to
preach Tomorrow inquired Mr.. Gilkey.
sIIe won't take any stand at all, said
Mr.. Ames, says it's none of his funeral
who they get. He's put out because they
Wouldn't call Mr. Otiin; but we never could
have made that thing work
'.IIe preached good sermons" said Mr..
Gilkey, refiectiyely.
lie talked through his nose, " said Mrs.
Gilkey, couolnsively.
Then the Whites said Mr.. Ames.
'They wans that Eastern nan with long
hair. He's a sort o~fceusin to Whites wife
The West End are all united on that man
| from Washington. And DR.. Glover's got
A man down South that he's trying to run
in this long Time" Mr.. Ames paused for
breath, and Mrs. Gilkey took up the bur
den of his complaint.
Yes she said, "and the Georges say
they won'l vote for anybody but that Mr..
Paine, from Ohio. He stayed with them
while he was here. and they say he is Just
as agreeable and entertaining as he can be-.
You'd never suspect that he was a minis
ter"
AT this stage, Mr.. Ames happening to
look up Suddenly, surprised an amused
smile On the face Of the stranger Who shar-
cd his seat. Il beg yonr pardon" said