The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-03-07

Incidents In The Life NJ Methodiss
Minister az Poor Appointments.


One Of the clcrgymen in the New
York Conference OF the Methodist
Episcopal Church tells this story about
HIMSELF :,
when was the pastor OF small
church Ia Delaware county. this State,
/ had n hard time in trying TO keep
soul ard body together. My labors
were arduous and the salary only x'Oo
"A wear. aud II we had not received
various donations Of provisions from
parishioners almost equally poor rs
ourselves. we would in all probability
have starved TO death.
1T was what Is known as back
woods appointment being eighteen
miles from railroad and located In a
valley created by fhickly wooded~hilis.
To give You m idea OF our reduced cir
cumstances | am compelled to say that
there was but one white shirt in the
house. aud that was shared In common
by my eldest son and myself. Nhen
he wore II l went into the pulpit Will
ont one and made up for the deficiency
the best could.
lone Sunday we had the presiding
elder of the district with ms. lie had
come the previous night. Early In inc
morning he was disturbed by this shriii
question from my SOM
Father. father. who wears the shirt
to-day; you or meg'
well | was in doubt who was en-
titled TO encase himself in that useful
garment on that occasion. but In
spirit of self-sacrifce shouted from
the confines of my room. i think it's
your turn. my boy.
II thought no more about the mat
ter until after breakfast and family
PRAYERS were over; then the elder took
me aside and asked IL there was only
one white shirt in the house. or course
| Il was an embarrassing question and L
/ tried TO evaSle making n reply, but ne
was persistent and finally was forced
10 admit tho 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 Il. and ms refused absolutely
10 accept a cent he did not press the
matter further.
Still. although the elder was kind
hearted man and receiving but little
more salary than myself yet he loved
20 indulge in practical jokes. On an-
other occasion he accepted an invita-
ton 10 dine with us and my wife, who
ALWAYS seemed TO stand in awe of the
bir. digniied elder. made an extra
effort 10 prepare tempting repast.
Oysters were scarce and very high IN
that section. and consequently lux
ury, but my wife concluded that FOL
once we should have oysters.
We'll, thanks TO recent wedding
fees, she was able 10 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 taste.
We'll, when we sat down TO the
table we saw oysters stewed, oyster:
fried, oysters roasted and oysters OF
the shell. 1t was literally awildernes'
of oysters.
Outside of oysters there was. u
fact. but little TO eat except bread
butter. apple sauce and, l believe
some sage cheese. Still the lttl,
woman sat with bcaming countc
nance. eagerly anticipating the elder
delight ut the unexpected treat.
After a blessing had been invoked
|. ms a matter OF form, turned To oul
guest and inquired:
Elder. will you permit me to hell
you to some Of the oysters"
The elders face assumed sever
expression rs he slowly and deliber
ately replied:
well. Dominic. hate to say il
but the truth of the matter Is l YER
seldom eat them
II glanced ut my wife. Her fac
was almost a crimson hue and tear
were starting from her eyes. thinl
! felt just tribe savage. but ] be
trayed no sign.
After n few seconds Of the mos
painful embarrassment | ever eXpe
rIenced the elder broke the silence, b,
saving with unrufiled deliberation:
You see. Dominic. | very seldor
eat oysters. because | very seldom z,
them and he burst into tremendou
roar OF laughter that almost made th
dishes rattle.
''Of course he did ample justice |
the dinner. which ut the best was fri
gal enough, but don't think that m
wife ever quite forgave him for thos
painful moments of suspense"