The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1897-12-16

the look of W ariness generally there
visible that his wife, noticing it, in
quired:
ssWhat has occurred that affords you
such evident grati6cation:"
''You know I was wishing that 1
might have temporary relief from
my cares, but was unwilling to take a
vacation because of my belief that no
church should, even for one Sunday,
be without preaching?"
eyes; and know that you owe it to
your people, not less than to yourself,
to rest from your labors; so doing, you
could accomplish much more. Have
you decided to go away for season?"
ssRead that" he replied, passing a
letter to his wife.
She unfolded the missive, whose con-
tents were:
c., NEW YoRK, July II, 1S-.
DEAR BROTHER PENNELL: You will be
surprised at hearing from your former class
mate in Andover, between whom and your
SELF there has never been any correspond
ence; but q few words will render all COM
prahensible. From my remembrance OF your
views respecting the duties OF pastor. and
from what have heard OF your fathfulnsss,
] apprehend that you would not sacrifice
what you, perhaps unwisely, regard the
welfare OF your people to your physical and,
Of coarse, mental health and strength.
A young man whom considered very
xifred has been studying with mo for nearly
/, fvo years and would like to preach few
Sundays, e1perimenta!ly. Provided you
wish TO be absent from your charge for a
month or six weeks, my friend will gladly
other compensation than his board. II, how
ever, you shall choose to make him trihing
donation, II will be very acceptible, as he has
90 provide for himself entirely.
y I shall be absent from home until the
middle Of September, SO, IL you think proper
TO accept my suggestion, please write to Mr..
Thomas Smith, Boston, whittier he is goinS
20 visit friends, on receipt OF this. Win
z kindest wishes, Fraternaily yours,
-, WILLIAM BLAKE.
ssYou will avail yourself of the op-
portunity to recuperate your energies?
I asked Mrs. Pennell, having finished
theletter.
.sI shall. 1t seems too much like a
dispensation Of Providence to be neg
lected.
II am so glad"
Mr.. Pennell went to his library and
wrote to Mr.. Smith, mentioning the
letter from seBrother" Blake and in
Sising him to substitute for him dur
ing the coming six weeks.
Three days later Mr.. Smith came to
Rockville.
He was Of the medium height,
slight pale-faced; had long auburn
Z swhiskers, worn Ia Anglais, curly
S,ksir of the same hue; blue eyes, that
we're eharp. inquisitive, penetrating;
regular, pleasing features; wis evi-
,dsntly not fsr,from 25.
The following Sunday he occupied o
ssatin the pulpit with Mr.. Pennell,
but took no part In the exercises, e1-
osps to offer the closing prayer.
At the conclusion OF the morning
ssryice--the only one for the day
The pastor introduced him to the more
prominent members with the re-
mark-it soon became sterotyped:
.sMr. Smith will preach for me
wkile I am having the vacation which
Il appears 10 be my duty to take, and
i think you will have no reason to re-
9ret the temporary change"
Everyone expressed his pleasure at
Knowing that Mr.. Pennell had con-
e1naed to rest; no one doubted but
shst Mr.. Smith would satisfactorily
uesst all requirements.
Indeed, the newcomer hal already
done much toward securing the favor
OF those who were to, constitute his
congregation.
iStsWhat feryent prayer!" ''How
earnest be seemsl' ''He is destined
: TO become distinguished" and other
like observations might have been
heard, soto yoce, from the elderly
people.
& The maidens whispered to one
smother, 'tDid you ever see such side
(. whiskers?" "What magnificent eyes
he has!'' 'sIsn' he fine looking!" and
30 on.
j The next Sabbath the subject of his
discourse was: "Iwas stranger, and
We took me in" As literary produc-
tionit was mastery. and it was de-
livered in manner that held the au-
diencs spell-bound.
When he descended from the pulpit
m old man, whose frame was bowed,
whose hair was silvered by age, ex-
tended his hand and said, tremulous-
":
ssBrother Smith, iu more than so
years I have never heard SO excellent
. sermon as yours"
THANK yoa," returned Mr.. Smith.
ssYour kind words are encouraging, :"
and blush sufused his face.
From that time his praises were on
every lip. People who were noted
Sabbath. breakers went to hear him;
the prayer-meeting had an attendance
larger than it had ever before known;
the Sewing circle" usually discon-
tinued through the hot months, was
, re-organized, and of it he was the NOV
ing spirit.
The young men liked him; the
E .-o~,o, ,,orrio1 oa uoll as