The Charlotte Democrat., 1890-12-26
Trials of a Preacher.
Incidents in the Life of Methodist Minister
-. at Poor Appointment .~t-

Incidents in the Life of Methodist Minister
y. B., at a Poor Appointment ~f-
| One of the clergy men in the New York
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal
| Church, tells this story about himself:
| "When l was pastor of small church
in Delaware county, this State, had a
bard time in trying to keep soul and
body together. Ny labors were arduous
and the salary only s400 year, and if
we had not received various donations
of provisions from parishioners almost
equally poor as ourselves we would in all
probability have starved to death.
| It was what is known as 'backwoods
| appointment, being eighteen miles from
railroad and located IN a valley created
by thickly wooded hills. To give you
an idea of our reduced circumstances I
am compelled to say that there was but
one white shirt in the house, and that
was shared in common by my eldest son
| and myself When he wore it went
| into the pulpit without one and made up
for the deficiency the best could. -..
One Sunday we had the presiding elder
of the district with u.s. He had come
the previous night. Early in the morn
ing he was disturbed by this shrill ques-
Rather, father, who wears the sn1rt
to day, you or me?" r.t..s ... ....t ,
Well, [ was in doubt who was entitled
to enease himself in that useful garment
on that occasion, but in spirit of self
sacrifice shouted from the confines of
my room, / think it's your turn, my
boy .;,.....r ....., ......,.
thought no more about the matter un-
til after breakfast and family prayers
were over; then the elder took me aside
and asked if there was only one white
shirt in the house. Of course it was an
embarrassing question, and I tried to
evade making reply, but he was per
sistent, and finally was forced to admit
| the truth. Tears welled up in the elders.
eyes, and he offered to part with some of
his meagre hoard of money, but assured
him that did not need it, and as, / re-
fused absolutely to accept a cent, he did
not press the matter further. 49,. In
Still, although the elder was kind
hearted man, and receiving but little more
salary than myself, yet he loved to in
dulge in practical jokes. On another
occasion he accepted an invitation to dine
with us, and my wife, who always seemed
to stand in awe of the big, dignified elder,
made an extra effort to prepare a tempt
ing repast Oysters were scarce and very
high in that section, and consequently a
luxury, but my wife concluded that for
once we should have oysters, .'.'' 49,.
Well, thanks to recent wedding fees,
she was able to buy them. Then she
exercised all her ingenuity to place them
on the table in every conceivable form
/ that would please the eye and crafty the
Well, when we sat down to the table
we saw, oysters stewed, oysters fried,
oysters roasted and oysters on she'll It
was literally wilderness of oysters.
Outside of oysters there was, in fact,
but little to eat except bread, butter,
apple sauce and, believe, some sage
cheese. Still the little woman sat with a
Deaming countenance, eagerly antici-
pating the elders delight at the unex-
pected treat. tt.
After blessing had been invoked /, as
matter OF form, turned to our guest and
inquired: @180E TEaH 0hff
Elder, will you permit me to help you
to some of these oysters?'
The elders face assumed a severe ex.
preston as he slowly and deliberately
replied:
well, Dominic, l hate to say it, but
the truth of the matter is l very seldom
eat them 'i' .'. .''
Iglanced at my wife Her'face was
almost a crimson hue and tears were
starting from her eyes l think felt
just trife savage, but l betrayed no
sign.
After few seconds of the most painful
embarrassment l ever experienced the
elder broke the silence, by saying with
unruffied deliberation: You see, Domi-
ME, I very seldom eat oysters, because
very seldom get them, and he burst into
tremendous fit of laughter that almost
made the dishes rattle. -
Or course'h he did ample justice to- the
dinner, which atsthc best was frugal
enougo, but Idon't think that my wife
ever quite forgave him for those painful
moments Of suspense.-N. Y. Herald.
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