Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-09

Is popular preacher, too, renowned
throughout the length and breadth Of the
Methodist connection for lucidtty Of thought
and delicately-turned utterance. In his adj
dress to the candidates for deacons' orders
there was an instructive lecture on the un-
skillfulness Of some who profess to be fsh-
ers of men. but who fail to catch anything
because their methods are faulty. The con-
ference absorbed every word Of that con-
denSed homtly.
1.-The successful fisherman" said the
bishop. 'is he who makes careful selection
of a pole, so as to have the one best suitAd
to the kind of fish he desires to catch; he
chooses the proper sort of line and hook
and Is particular as to the bait. Then he
approaches those places where the speckled
trout are probably to be found In cautious
manner and so casts his line that the fish
are not alarmed, but attracted. How diner
entity does the unskilled fisherman proceed!
How careless are some Of those VINO term
themselves fishers of men! How unsuc-
cessful too! Needless as to the quality OF
their equipment and of its fitness for the
work to be done. they sally forth with any
sort Of pole and line and hook and oait.
They tramp noisily to the bank OF the
stream overload the hook, and as they cast
with vehemence and splash that frishtens
away every fish in the vicinity tney eA.
claim: Bite. or be damned! Ihat ABOUT
what they say, brethren.
And most of the brethren were evidently
of that opinion, for there were mods ana
sounds of assent from all quarters.
A Novel Letter Box.
ut would be a good thing If some OF the
preachers here who have city charges du-
plicated this plan," said one OF the busiest
of the conference members yesterday even
ing, The plan he referred to consists
materially, of a boX-a letter box-in the
vestibule of the Mount Vernon Place M. +.
Church and a liberal sprinkling OF cards
in the pew book racks. The cards nave
on one side a printed blank. which, when
properly filed out, will result In having
the pastor call on the person or persons
named thereon. The reason for requesting
the call is to be stated, and there Is space
for other suggestions as we'll as for the
signature of the individual making the
request. On the other side Of the scrap or
pasteboard are catalogued the uses of the
pastors box in the vestibule, which Uses are
as follows:
they desire the pastor to call upon them.
..2. For those who desire to connect them
selves with the church.
'.3. For any one of the congregation to
give notics of a change of residence. 1t
is particularly requested that the pastor
be notified promptly of all such changes
~. For calling the pastors attention to-
The sick in our parish; those who are IN
quiring the way of life; those who are in
special temptation; instances of poverty
and distress; strangers who have decided
to attend our church and Sunday school
80. For any communication or sugses-
ton of either a general or personal
nature, relating to the life and work of
the church,
This combination CT card and box" con-
tfnued the suggesting minister, has done
marve.ously good work, ard it would do
as well elsewhere If it was given an oppor-
tunity to show itself and prove it's useful
ness.