The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-11-28
POETRY.
THE APPOINTMENTS.

Es
was sitting in the wing.slp, close beside the
When the Bishop came in softly, with face
And a silence indescribably pathetic in its
such as might have reigned 10 heaven through
that "space OF half an hour"
Rested on the whole assembly rs the Bishop
rose and said:
ments will be read
Not as one who handles lightly merchandise
of little worth, ~
But as dealing with the richest, most impor-
tant things OF earth,
In the fellowship Of Jesus, with the fallings
The good Bishop asked forbearance-he had
done his best to plan
For the glory OF his Master. trusting Him 10
without prejudice or favor; and the preach,
ers cried Amen !"
"Beulah Mountains-Henry Singer'-happy
On the daintiest Of the gospel through the
changing year to feast:
Not church trial ever vexed thelh' all tnei
preachers stay four years,
And depart amid tempest OF the pu1est kinu
oftears.
Troubled Waters-Nathan Peaceful how
that sainted face grew red
How the tears streamed through his fingers as
be held his swimmi head ,
But his wife stopped down and whispered
what sweet message did she bear?
For he turned with face trapsfgured as upon
some mount of prayer.
Swift as thought In highest action, sorrow
passed and gladness came
Atsoine wondrous strain OF music breaking
forth from Jesus name.
"Holy Rapture" said the Bishop, II have
left 10 be supplied" :"
And | thought-"You couldn't fill 1t, MIR.
Bishop, II you tried.
For an angel duly transferred to TINS Conler-
Wouldn't know one-half the wonders that
those blessed people know; $50
They would note some strain OF discoru tno
he sang as heaven sings.
And discover some shortcomings in the feath-
ers of his wings"
"Grand Endeavor-Jonas Laggard." Blessed
be the Lord thought; ;
They have put that Bro. Laggard where he
has to work or die,
For the church at Grand Endeavor, with its
Will transform him to a hero or just drive
him to despair.
charming sound,
They will start big revival, and forget that
he's around.
"Unlon Furnace-Solon Trimmer'-what
Bishop he must be!
They have got the kind Of preacher that will
suit them to q T.:
Metho- Congo o-Baptist-Uni-in one nature.
blithe and bland,
Fire or water, hell or heaven. always ready
on demand.
hand the two will go
Through the years before them bringing hea'
venly life to earth below.
."Greenland Corners-Peter Wholesoul but
he lost his self-control,
Buttoned up his coat as If he felt cold wind
Saw the dreary path before him, drew deep
breath, knit his brows.
Then concluded to be faithful to his ordina-
tion vows.
In the front pews sat the fathers, hair as
white as driven snow
AS the Bishop read the appointments they
had filled long years ago.
Tender memories rushed upon them, life re-
vived in heart and brain
TIL it seemed that they could travel old cir.
- cults DER again.
"Happy Haven-Joseph Restfu"-how the
JOY shone in his face
At the thought. Of being pastor for four
"Hard-as-Granite-Ephra Smasher'-there
the stewards sat in row,
And they didn't want that Smasher, and he
didn't want TO go.
"Drowsy Hollow-Israel Wakim"-he is sent
to sow and reap
Where the congregations gather in the inter.
As they esS sit 'ps on Sabbath morning in their
softly cushioned pewS
They begin TO make arrangements for their
regular weekly snooZe.
Through the prayer diInness gathers over
every mortal eye;
Through the reading Of the Scriptures they
begin to droop and sigh;
. In the hymn before the sermon, with its mu-
sic grand and sweet,
They put forth one mighty effort 10 be seen
upon their feet;
Then amidst the sermon, throbbing with the
gospels sweetest sound,
They sink down in deepest slumber and
are nodding all around.
But l guess that Bro. Wakim, or the first
When he preches to that people, and is hesta:
a mile away, ,..
Till he strikes the strain of "lastly," and IN
warrant him to win.
For by al who ever heard him it is conf
II 'twere possible to mortal, he would wake
thevery dead
Then mist came DER my vision as the Bish.
op still read on.
And the veil that hides the future, for a mo-
ment was Withdrawn,
For saw the worlds Redeemer far above the
Bishop stand,
On His head a :crown Of glory, and long roll
in His hand.
Round His throne countless number Of tn
ransomed, listening, press'd-
He was stationing His preachers In the city
of the blest.
Some whose names were most familiar
known and reverenced by all,
Went down to the smaller mansions back
against the city wall
One who took the poorest churches, miles
away from crowds and cars,
Went up to throne OF glory with crown
ablaZe with stars.
How the angels sang TO greet him how the
Master cried, "Well donem
While the preacher blushed and wondered
where he had such glory won.
Some whose speech on earth was simple, with
no arguments but tears,
Nothing novel In their sermons for fastidous
Itching ears,
Coldly welcomed by the churches, counted
burdensome by all,
Went up to the royal mansion and were
neighborS to st. Paul.
Soon the Master called woman, only known
here In the strife
By her quiet, gentle nature, though famous
preachers wife
Praised and blessed her for the harvests she
had garnered in the sky;
But she meekly turned and answered, Twas