The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-12-05
WORN OUT.

Ing sensational stOHe8 IN sunday paper
sometimes reading aloud to me. I was
little interested and finally began doing,
but managed to get wide awake before
Mary INDUCED in the foregoing remark.
After a moments thoughtful hesitation
Remarked: ''Wel, must say / IN get
ting tired Of the same old thing Sunday
after Sunday, the same face, the same
voice, the same gesture and sometimes
the same Illustrations. Now, when I was
at Spencerville, where they had just re-
ceived new minister, there was SO much
going on and everything SO lively. There
were all the ladies fixing up the parsonage
and everybody calling there and making
presents, and the house warming. Dear
me. 1t all seemed to make SO much good
feeling
That's it, - said Mary. ssThere is no
feeling at all here. Parson Brown IS a
good enough man. but he is 50 slow-posi-
lively so slow. 1t something comes over
me, John then Mary lowd44d her voice,
whether it was in fear of being heard by
the leaves of the apple tree near by, or by
the robins building their nest in the tree
top, or by the old dog Madge that lay on
the mat by the window, 4 cannot say
that perhaps it WOULD be best for us 20
have change Of pastors, though I would
not like to be the one to start the idea ia
the parish.
No, indeed, " 1 said. "But still he has
been here a long time"
Yes, and getting a tride old, q little
worn-shelf worn, if We were to use a
mercantile term. A younger man. now,
would nven up things We could pay him
a better salary and give things a new
start, - answered Mary.
There is no fault to be found with
Brother Brown, though" said /, for
could NOT find it in my heart to hear him
run down. Not a bit, not a bit. It's
only that-that perhaps his usefulness
here is at an end. What do you say,
Mary, to driving over to hear Parson
Jones this morning just for a changer He
is more my style, beats and wakes folks
up, 50 they say"
'sWhat," said Mary, "clear over to
Piperowns'' 1t was ten miles away.
=. Yes, " I said. I'm hitch up in q few
minutes, and we can make the trip in an
hour. -
Mary made no objection-in fact. rather
enjoyed the suRgestiOn-and in a little
while we were spinning on our way. As
we neared Pipetown we saw many peopls
on their way to church.
Great many people out for morning
services, \ said L. "Our folks do not turn
out this way
.Parson Jones is a man that draws,
said Mary, keeps up the interest in the
church, you see.
There was quite crowd in the entry
and we were waiting for some one to
show us a seat we overheard a man say.
" You hear something worth hearing
today. Mr.. q couldn't get hold of the
name, though I tried) is going to preach. "
looked at Mary. was afraid she had
set her heart on hearing Mr.. Jones, but
as far as I was concerned i didn't mind
hearing a stranger, especially if he
like what they said, for they were talking
right
Hes a strong preacher-yes, strong,
that's just the word. We are always glad
when we get him on an exchange Won
der he has staid long in the country.
He's none Of your hop and jump sort,
does not waste any force in hammering
out sparks but goes straight to the truth
and drives it home and clinches iU-that
is just the word, clinches IT, -
I could see the folks were expecting a
little something uncommon by the way
they looked as they settled into their
seats. / was looking about a little to see
If I knew anybody present, for had fire.
quently been to Pipetown.
did not look toward the pulpit till /
heard the minister's voice, and then I al
most jumped from my seat as 1 stared at
him.
Then I stared at Mary and Mary stared
at 1T was Parson Brown, as sure as
you live. If 1t had not been In church.
should have laughed right out to see Mary's
blank look But / sobered down. Then
could not help observing how the people
listened 1t very plain that they con
sidered ParsOn Brown a great preacher
Their interest set me to noticing him
more carefully. 1 finally concluded that
while he was not a handsome man it is
not often you see a more scholarly face or
hear more earnest words. Then I noticed
the deep lines Of care on his face, made
largely by the heavy church burdens he
was obliged to carry. / thought OF tho
children he had baptized, Of the funerals
he had conducted Of the sorrowirE
hearts he had comforted, Of the I~-ny
kind and helpful words he had spoken,
and as I kept on thinking 1 felt tears
swell in my eyes and run down on my
cheeks
When he came TO his text, Mary gave
me a nudge, for, if you viii believe me, it
was the same we had heard the Sunday
before But 1 am willing to confess that
it was mostly new, for / did not listen
well before. In fact, had got into the
way of thinking that Brother Browns
sermons were not edifying to me. saw
the man we heard in tho entry nod his
head, much to say Didn { tell you
SO? That's one of his clinchers After
the sermon was finished and the hand
shaking time came / think Mary and
were just a little proud 70 have folks
know that Parson Brown was our minis
ter.
We didn't speak wotFH ss iormore than
half the way home, and then I said:
Z" I say, Mary, there's such a thing
going farther and faring worse.
Well " said Mary, If that's what you
mean, we have been faring just about the
same "
No, that ISM what I mean. Mary.
how much bigger salary ought we 70
raise for Brother Brown Yes, it ought
to be done. These things need stirring
up, and for one am going to stir them
up" Here ! jerked the lines till the horse
4af4.. a..