The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-03-23
HIS FIRST SERMON.

an adverse kind too, when the fact became
known that young Dwight HarfeId, fresh
from the theological seminary, had been
called to the passionate of the church in his
native town.
The congregation of st. Elizabeth was
quite as wealthy, fashionable and aristo.
cratic as any which this particular western
town of rs, 900 Inhabitants afforded.
There had always been over this church
some man just old enough, just conven.
tioaal enough, to be correct and proper.
But this latest act of a supposedly intelli-
gent vestry had knocked all the traditions
and precedents sky high.
Comment is very volatile, and somehow
inklings of what was passing in the minds
of the people, like subtle fumes, came to
the consciousness of that very respectable
and commonly astute body the vestry.
And it disturbed them in spite of the Sc
curity they felt il their position.
Suppose now, for instance-the thought
would como, in spite of it's manifest ref1ec.
ton upon the reverend dignitary-that the
bishop of the diocese, upon whose casual
words they had confidently depended,
was, after all, only an interested friend OF
young Harfleld, and his words, the words
that had trapped them, only "sprynges to
catch woodoock -
The bishop had said, apparently without
intention. that the church which secured
that young fairfield first might be con-
graduated, because he would not be avail
able soon again. He had in him the max
ing of a great divine, and he was sure to
go high in ecclesiastical orders.
Now, they were seriously considering
whether or not they had been taken in by
a theological subterfuge. Might not the
bishop, if designated as authority and ap-
pealed to, say that he had merely given an
individual, private and casual opinion,
and could the vestry say otherwise?
There was one, however, who, though
she felt tremulous over the trial. never fol
a moment doubted the young clergyman's
ability to- come out of the ordeal triumph
antly, and that was Katharine Harmon,
the girl who loved him.
She was the daughter of one of the ves-
trymen, Abram Harmon, and she fire.
Quently heard from her father the fears
and miSgivings which agitated the body of
which he was member.
Katharine and Harfield had been per-
fectly honest with the staid old gentleman.
He knew of the love that from childhood
up had existed between them, and while
he did not actually discountenance it he
looked upon their affection with no favor
able eye. He did not fancy a minister for
a son-in-law.
When before entering upon his special
theological course Harfield had asked his
sanction to their betrothal, he had been
given To uuO0fSUd1Q buAb u0 was only UO1-
Grated on probation, and that the subse-
quent confirmation of his position depend
ed entirely upon his accomplishing some
thing.
1t had come to be understood between
Katharine and her father that should
Dwight Harfeld succeed at st. Eliza
beth's he might be considered to have ac-
complished something.
The momentous Sunday came, and,
without GooinO nVviCht Katharine
early to church. The Harmon pew was
far to the front, and when the young rec
tor entered his eyes could scarcely help
falling Immediately upon the girl he loved.
The chapel was crowded, the people ex-
pectant. But the young clergyman look
ed down in the heart of one person there
and saw trust and help and love. And he
grew strong, strong as very Samson of
the gospel.
He forgot his audience. He lost himself
in his subject. He spoke with a feFyor,
an eloquence, a directness, that thrilled
the people before him.
The old, staid, respectable pillars of the
church forgot to doze. The organist for
once forgot to admire his own strong,
shapely hands. The choir boys forgot their
pranks and behaved like the little cherubs
which nobody ever mistook them for.
After the sermon and services were over
the vestrymen found themselves the mas
G6TS O1 bn0 Cup VI Joy T6u
over when the leading banker of the town,
Mr.. Bullion, the dignified and retioent,
told as many of them as he could get to-
gether that they had "shown wonderful
prudence and foresight in securing the
services of that remarkable young man."
Katharine"
dwight, you spoke like one inspired
81 was. But, oh, my dear girl, am SO
ashamed. I was inspired by thoughts of
you.'
BE still, Dwight. came with the idea
that might help you. felt that I had a
message from a higher power that could
give you in a glance
Mr.. Harmon overlook them, and as he
wrung the young mans hand he ex-
claimed:
Dwight, my boy, in that one sermon
you have accomplished much"
"And what shall understand by that?"
asked the Clergyman.
Come into the house, said the old
man. There was a smile upon his face, q
blush on Katharine's, and a look of won
derful happiness shone from the eyes of
the rector of St. Elizabeth 's.-New York
World.