The Republican journal., 1896-09-17
The Aged Pastor.

Memory often takes me back to my ma
tive town, and with the minds eye | can
see those who were actively engaged in
the pursuits of life forty and fifty years
ago. Among the number was an aged
pastor who had labored long years in the
Masters vineyard. He belonged to the
Calvin Baptist church. He was man
with fair intellect and he made the Bible
his greatest study. He was honest in his
belief and whatever passed his lips always
seemed to come from his heart. He tried
to do all the good he could, and like the
Master preached without money and with
out price. Benevolence was large with
the aged pastor. He was ready to bestow
kindness on the stranger, the afflicted and
the humble He and his companion lived
blameless lives. They reared quite large
family and gained livelihood by the
sweat of their brows. Often the aged
pastor was called to condole with bereaved
families. | remember one instance in par
ticular. 1t was the death OF talented
young woman. She was a vocalist: her
sweet melodious voice could be heard in
the choir whenever she could attend
church, She had trouble with her eyes
and it affected the brain. Her insanity
took a suicidal turn and She ended her
life. The aged pastor was called to con
duet the funeral services. His sermon
was from words of the psalmist, 'Many
shall see it, and fear, AMI shall trust in the
Lord He spoke words Of comfort to
The afflicted family.
His aim seemed to be to do all he could
to make the world better How different
was chen to what it is at the present
t me. Now it seems that everything is
done that can be done to save the young
and raise the fallen. i is wonderful to
think of the work that is done in the pris-
ons all over the land Society is apt to
think harshly OF those who have been
sentenced to prison, and seldom stop TO
consider that if they had been surrounded
by better influences perhaps they would
not be where they could hear the creak-
ing of the prison doors. Much is being
, done by the State and by private individuals
to establish schools and chapels in the
prisons all over the country.
The aged pastor had charge of a little
flock in an neighboring town who thought
! very highly of him. 1t is doubtful if Dr..
Talmage stands as high in the estimation
of his people as the aged pastor did with
his church. His people looked forward
to their quarterly meetings with a great
deal of interest They always intended
to have their best speakers break the
bread of life to them on Sunday The
aged pastor was always selected to be
first on that day. In his sermons he often
talked of election and predestination, and
sometimes his sermons were well seasoned
with depravity.
| think there are but two surviving
members OF that ''little hock,'' and they
are an aged couple who have passed the
four score limit of human life. They have
been consistent followers of the Master,
but for some time have been sorely atflict-
ed. By fall the wife became helpless
cripple She has borne her sutferings for
a number of years with Christian patience
and fortitude.
| The question is often asked, why are
some people afflicted in this life SO much
more than others? No doubt affections
are sent for a wise purpose, and if they
answer their design they purify the gold
by separating it from the dross. An emf
nent divine has given as his opinion that
God sometimes heats up the furnace for
those He can make the most Of 1t is
often the case that adversely develops
noble qualities that prosperity could never
bring out
We often see people who seem to pros
per in everything they undertake. Wealth
will flow in for them on every hand. The
death angel never entered their dwelling.
They never saw those who were dearer to
them than life shrouded for the grave. Is
it to such ones that we can go for heart
felt sympathy? Some are naturally more
sympathetic than others; but in order for
us to feel for the woe of others we must
have sorrow of our own. 1t has been
said that sorrow can be detected in pub
lie speakers and in musicians and
writer's. Their work is heart work.
The aged pastor continued his labors of
love for long years. l do not know Of any
of his surviving descendants, except a
grandson and great granddaughter.
They are prominent people who reside in
Stockton Springs, and are engaged in the
mercantile business. No doubt the grand
son after laying aside the business cares