Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-04-22
FUGITIVE VERSE.
The Preachers Vacation.

The Preachers Vacation.
The old man went to meetIn'. for the day was
bright and fair,
Though his limbs were very totterin'. and
twas hard to travel there;
But he hungered for the Gospel. 80 he trudged
the weary way
On the road SO rough and dusty. meath the
Summers burning ray.
By and by he reached the building, to his soul
holy place;
Then he paused and wiped the sweatsdrops of
his thin and wrinKied face;
But he looked around bewildered. for the old
bell did not toll
All the doors were shut and bolted. and he did
not sac soul.
So he leaned upon his crutches, and said
"Wbat does this mean?"
And he look ed this way and that, till 1t almost
seemed a dream {;
He had walked the drzty highway aud breath
ed heavy Sigh
Just to come once more to meetin', e'er the
summons came to die.
But he saw little notice tackled upon tho
meetin' door.
SO he Iimped along to read 1t. and he read 1t
DER and Ger,
Then he wiped bis dusty glasses, and he read 1t
DER again,
Till his limbs began to tremble and his eyes
began TO pain.
AS the old man read the notice, how 1t made
his spirit bnrn!
"Pastor absent on vacation. church is closed
till his return
Then he staggered slowly backward. and he
sat him down to think.
For his soul was stirred within him, till he
thought his heart would sink.
So he mused:aloud and wondered. to himself
~ have lived to almost eighty. and was never
AS read that oldest notice. stickin' on the
meetin' door
Pastor offon vacation'-never heard the like
before.
"Why, when first Joined the meetin. very
many years ago,
Preachers Travelled on the circuit. in the heat
and through the snow;
If they got their clothes and wittals Ctwas but
little ash they got).
They said nothing bout vacation, but were
happy in their lot.
Nv ould the farmer leave his cattle, or the
shepherd leave his sheep?
Who would give them care and shelter. or pro.
vide with food to eat?
So 1t strikes me very singular, when man Of
holy hands
Thinks he needs to lave vacation. and for
sakes his tender lambs.
ibid ST. Paul get such notion? Did a Wesley
or Knox?
Did they in the heart of summer turn away
their needy f1ocks?
Did they shut their mestin' houses, just to go
and lounge about?
Why. they knew that If they did. Satan GER
tainly would shout.
Do the taverns close their doors, just to take a
little rest;
Why, twould be the heighth of nonsense, for
their trade would be distressed,
Did you ever know it happen or hear anybody
Satan taking vacation. shuttin' up the doors
of hell?
And shall preachers of the gospel pack their
trunks and go away.
Leavin .saints and dyin' sinners get along as
best they may?
Are the souls of saints and sinners valued less |
than sellin' beer?
u w pEeGCueTs CtJc QulCheT budu buo TeSt Vi |
mortals here?
Why it is cannot answer. but my feelfns'
they are stirred
Here I've dragged my tottering footsteps for to
hear the Gospel word,
But the preacher is a travelin and the meetin'
house is closed;
confess it's very trying. hard indeed to keep
composed.
Tell me. when tread the valley and go up
the shinin' height,
VIII hear no angels sinain', will I sea no
gleamin' light?
Will the golden harps be silent? Will meet
no welcome there?
Why. the thought is most dstractin' would be
more than could bear.
Tell me, when 1 reach the city over on the
other shore,
Will find a little notice tackled upon the |
golden door?
rellin' me, mid dreadful silencew in words |
that cut and burn
resIs absent on vacation, Heaven closed till |
his return.