Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1893-06-22
NO SERMON.
How a Ciers yman Went Calling-And His
Education In Housekeeping.

A clergyman heard that certain poo
pie were criticising the infrequency
with which he risited them. "Do they
say neglect the sick or the afflicted"
mo, but they think you might drop
in oftener in a socit way
"Ah! see; thank you very much for
n hint I'll attend to this"
Monday morning the pastor left his
home, and carrying carefully-revised
list of his parishioners in small book,
he began house-to-house visitation. 1t
was wash day. His congregation was
made up of all sorts and condi-
tions of people. He didn't mind it.
He at once adapted himself to
circumstances. Entering a house,
he began talking about soap, and am
monia, and royal bluing, and wire
clothes-pins, and patent line pullies,
and stationary tubs, and pickup din
ners, and tired laundresses. 1t was just
delightful.
Tuesday, he resumed his rounds.
Now he discoursed on becswax, smooth
ing irons, satin-finished shirt fronts,
the consumption of fuel, and the ever
lasting raking at the stove. He grew
in favor.
Wednesday, he continued ringing
bells and rapping at doors. He threw
out wise suggestions about the work.
basket, spoke of stocking darning, and
how to sew new patches in the
demoralized seat of little boys trousers.
He showed charming familiarity
with needles, and scissors, and thimbles.
He made deep and abiding impress
sion.
Thursday, nothing daunted, and
moved by noble ambition to elevate
the flock, he spent the entire day COM
menting upon pleasures derived from
formal calls, evening parties, and
dramatic entertainments. 1t tired him
awfully, but he would not give up.
Friday found him talking up the
merits of furniture polish, the advan-
tages of salt over tea leaves for clean
ing carpets, describing different meth.
DDS of busting, and the wholesome eff
fects of exposing mattresses to the sun.
light. He kept growing in favor.
Saturday morning, he hurried
through breakfast, and after consult
ing the list of names, he informed his
wife that he would not return until
late in the evening, and again renewed
his pilgrimage. Some families
who didn't keep cooks were at
xxrn,.l1 -, 4ha,,. l.,talon. Il
sisted upon going there, so as
not to disturb their plans. He fasci-
mated them with his knowledge of Gu.
linary science. He discussed the rela.
tive merits of baking powders, told how
to make ice-cream without eggs brown
bread without yeast and delicious jelly
from dried apples. He expressed hope
that they never fried fish without flour
ing, and warned them never to drop
crullers into the kettle until the lard
was boiling. He abominated hot lemon
pie, but by the urgent invitation of a
newly-married experimentalist, he con-
sented to eat piece, and suffered for
two days afterward in consequence.
Footsore and tagged, he returned to
the parsonage about nine o'clock. Sun
day came. The church was filled. The
preachers stock had suddenly jumped
way up. At the time for the sermon
he came to the pulpit step and
thus spoke; with desire to concili.
ate those of my brethren who never in
health or sickness land / have been in
both conditions) think it is necessary
or polite to call upon me, | have spent
the entire week in the parish. Out OF
two hundred families, l have found
just nineteen persons ailing. Two com.
| planned of liberated teeth, one was
suffering from stiff neck, one was
nursing toe with an ingrowing nail,
three had sick headache, five were doc
toring for neuralgia, two had asthma,
one was laid up with broken leg and
| four had colds in their heads. Under
the circumstances | have had no time
left for study or the preparation of a
sermon. Of course you do not expect
one. Let us pray"-Living Church.