The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-08-16
SELECTED STORY.
The Candidate at Binnacle.


making a ten-pound sentence weigh
ton" reflected the Rev. Leander Knox
sadly, as he came away from an inter-
view with the secretary of the com.
mittee on distribution of ministers. He
was a pleasant faced young man of
somewhat slender physique and quite
unnecessary stoop. He had sufficient
skill in the making of sermons and an
agreeable voice for their delivery. He
was also very much in earnt st regard
ing his work, and thought it the great
est thing in the world to be worthy
minister. But he had one seemingly
fatal defect. He was unimpressive
The few iudicious persons who are the
salt of every congregation found pleas
ure and profit in his thoughtful SER
mons, but the majority slumbered or
allowed their minds to wander at will.
eyes, Mr.. knox," the secretary had
said kindly, "thev liked you very well
at East Corsica. In fact they came near
giving you a call; but there were some
you know there always are some
who thought they wanted a preacher
with more animation"
'Probably Deacon Cross and Mr..
Slobridge," thought the young minis
ter. They both closed their eyes when
the opening voluntary began and didn't
show any further signs of life until it
was time for the last hymn. But he
said nothing. He only sighed and
looked down at his carefully-polished
shoes, both of which showed signs of
breaking open at the sides.
"Now, the people at Binnacle want a
young man." continued the secretary
briskly and with even more kindliness
than before. 81 think you had better
90 there for next Sunday"
Binnacle?" said Mr.. Knox, hesi-
tatingly; that's quite distance, isn't
it."
go yes, it's long way; clear up the
east coast, you know. But you go the
whole distance by boat, and the fare is
ridiculously low just now"
There was comprehending twinkle
in the secretary's eye as he spoke.
"Thank YOU" replied the Rev. Lean
der, with sigh of relief. I'll shall
be glad to go wherever you recommend.
But do you think the people of Binna-
Gle will be less critical of my my
unfortunate lack of animation?"
He flushed painfully as he remem
bered that it was but few weeks since
he had thought of East Corsica and
Binnace as places altogether too small
for the exercise of his talents.
Why, no." rejoined the secretary
candidly," don't suppose they will
But you see, my dear fellow, there
isn't going to be a lack of animation
any more. Forewarned is forearmed
of course, and the impre ssion you will
make depends altogether upon your
self. There's plenty of good stuff il
you. Just give it chance TO come
out. Drop in here when you get bacl
from Binnacle. I'll warrant you'll have
something good to report. Boat leaves
at seven Saturday night. Goodby, ant
good luck to you'll"
The secretary nodded good humoret
dismissal and turned his attention to
heap of unopened letters.
After that first envious wish for thu
secret of Twemlow's oratory the youn!
ministers's reflections took on NOR
cheerful hue as he walked homeward
His slight figure grew more erect, AM
he even whistled bar or two of
college song under his breath. Tn
secretarv's words had done him good
He felt a glow of ardor-a desire t.
prove then and there that those word
were true. The subject for sermon
particularly appropriate to the people a
Binnacle flashed into his mind, and it
outline began to take shape as b
walked. From that it was easy to pas
in imagination to the picture of wei
filled church and the eager faces G
people who drank in every word of hi
preaching. Not single nodding hea
or wandering eye, but a breathless ir
tentness through which his voice re
sounded like the strokes of bell, wal
ing an echo in every soul. How gloriou
it would be to have such power fo
good! The glowing colors of his visio
quickly blotted out the remembrance {
many listless and unsympathetic al
diences.
He went eagerly to work upon tn
sermon which was to be his maste
piece. Never before had his mind bee
so active and Illuminated as now. tn
subject unfolded itself with wonderf'
clearness and he was able to clothe b
thought in simple but effective phras
ology. Illustration and anecdote an
apt quotation came crowding upon hi
as he worked. 1t was theme whiC
had been long time ripening in b
mind, and under the stimulus of ne
hope he poured out his soul upon tt
paper with fiery energy which a
tonished even himself.
"There!" said he, as he flung dow
the pen and casped his hands, trer
bling with excitement, above his hea
~ know there's go enough in tn
sermon, and if | don't stick my mise
able self in between it and the peop
next Sunday morning it will do son
good"
And then he went to bed and dreamt
that the people of Bnnacle were
determined to have him for their mi
lister that they put their church upon
raft, and chased him with it all up al
down the Atlantic coast, giving him
"call " through an enormous speakin
trumpet every time they came with
haiing distance.
1t was a pity that this high tide of no
and courage could not have lasted; b
by the time the Rev. Ieander Kn
al no TO- Sot,