The Monitor-register. [volume] (Woodstown, Salem Co., N.J.) 1892-1972, 1896-02-28
AUNT HErrYs VOCATION.

AUNT HETTYS VOCATION.
"Do you like the new minister, Aunt
Hetty ?"
ssTo be sure / like him. Why shouldn't
II He's one o. the Lords own servants,
en- he's been sent by the conference to
feed us with the bread o. life. declare,
he said 80 many good things this mornin
that can't remember half on 'em; an
I'm rely afeared that won't be able to
do a quarter o. what can ricollect, bein'
Pm sech weak an hayward creetur."
30, Aunt Hetty, don'tsay thatl You're
perfect saint compared with the rest OF
us; we all own up to that"
II be notl But I do love all the
preachers. Pm alters sorry to see an old
one 90, an never forgit 'em, but when
the new one comes, somehow he finds
warm spot in my heart most right of.
1 do hope there wasn't nobody dissatisfied
with Brother Smith this mornin', was
they?"
80, no, not really; only-weli, bis
delivery wasn't SO very fluent, and he
didn't read the Scriptures as impressively
as our last dear minister did"
81 want to knowi Well, now, didn't
know that. Ye see was SO took up
with the words he read, bein' that was
my Johns fav'rite chapter alters till he
went up to the many mansions it tells
about. Why. thought 1t sounded just
beautiful. did, re'lly!"
ibid you like his style of reading the
hymns?"
''Why, guess so. They was all on
'em very upliftin'. How firm founda-
ton, ye saints o. the Lord, an Rock of
Ages, cleft for me-, an, Jesus, my ALL
Why, yes. the hymns was wonderful
comfortin'."
"Did you think he was eloquent in
prayer, Aunt Hetty P''
"To be sure. He took lis all right up
to the throne O. grace, with all our sins
an Shortcomings an troubles an worries,
an jest left as there in the dear Lords
hands. It's blessed thing to be prayed
for that away, deed tits; an Pm mazin'
thankful fort"
"How about the sermon. Auntie Pr
SWELL, as said afore, can't ricollect
nigh all on it, but I'm a-goin' to try an
live up to what can. fall short o. my
duty all along, know, but do mean TO
try to do better"
eve thought you'd feel bad, like the
rest of us, over our minister being
removed SO unexpectedly. It's such a
pity, and will surely hurt the church."
80, no, dearie, 1t mustn't. Yes, 1 was
sort o. took back when first knew of 1t,
but it pears to be the Lords dom, an
he's sent another servant O. his to
minister to us without the JbreSR-cf a
single Sunday; SO it's III right. We'k>
have wonderful yssr O. blessing with
him, if We take holt an do our part; l
make no doubt o. that
TIE little group of takers reached the
end OF the village street, and turned into
their respective homes, Aunt Hetty,
burdened with years. to lie down in her
quiet room for little rest, and the others
to talk and think over her words,
The new pastor had not been at his best
that morning. He was very weary with
conference week. He had faithfully
attended every business session, and
having so few opportunities for intel
lectual culture and enjoyment, he had
not missed single anniversary, sermon
or lecture possible to reach, and had also
served on committee. Then, just at the
close, he had taken severe cold, which,
besides making him dull and uucomfort-
able, rendered his voice harsh and
unmusical, and aggravated a sensitive
tooth.
Neither was he fully at ease in his
mind. b is own expectation had been
upset. He knew that he had not been
''called" to this particular charge, and
that the preacher whose return had been
asked for was very popular.
The church was filled on that first
morning, but in looking over the audi.
ence his eyes rested on no face which
seemed to hold such sympathetic feel-
ing and cordial welcome as did the white,
wrinkled face of an old, old lady, who
sat in front pew. Aunt Hetty, dear
heart, will never know, perhaps, how
much she helped the new minister
that morning; first by her devout atten-
tion and evident enjoyment Of the entire
service, and then by her eager hand .clasp
and cordial greeting and blessing at the
close of it, which made his heart glow.
She was not able to come to the even
ing service, but several others, remember
ing her words, put aside their disappoint-
ment and critical spirit, and listened
humbly and gratefully to the preachers
message, and gave him more cordial
welcome among them before they parted
for the night.
Aunt Hetty someti mes says she
wonders why she fingers so long ON
earth when she is past her usefulness.
We think 1t is because she is needed to
welcome the new preachers, and to
smooth their way, so oft beset with
peculiar trials; and also to be an example
to her fellow church members, Of
humility and faith and loving kindness.