The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-12-15

tne look OF W HrlneSS BeHeruiiy theTe
visible that his wife, noticing it, in
quired:
"What has occurred that affords you
such evident qualifications"
"You know / was wishing that /
might have temporary relief from
my cares, but was unwilling to take n
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 u season."
"Read that" he replied, passing
letter to his wife.
She unfolded the missive, whose con
tents were:
c., NEW YORK, July ~, 1s-.
DEAR BROTHER PENSELL; You will he
surprised at hearing from your former class
mate In Andoyer, between whom and your
self there has never been any correspond
ence; but a few words will render NIL com
prehensible. From my remembrance of your
views respecting the duties OF n pastor, and
from what have heard of your faithfulness,
/ apprehend that you would not sacrifice
what you, perhaps unwisely, regard the
welfare OF your people to your physical and,
OF course, mental health and strength.
young man whom / considered very
gifted has been studying with me for nearly
two years and would like to preach n few
Sundays, experimentally. Provided you
wish to be absent from your charge for a
month or six weeks, my friend will gladly
supply your pulpit during that time for no
other compensation than his board. If,how-
ever,you shall choose to make him triliing
donation. It will be very acceptable, ,as he has
to provide for himself entirely.
l shall be absent from homo until the
middle of September, so, If you think proper
to accept my suggestion. please write to Mr..
Thomas Smith, Boston. whittier he Is going
to visit friends, on receipt OF this. With
kindest wishes, Fraternally yours,
WILLIAM BLAKE.
"You will avail yourself of the op-
portunity ytorecuperate your energies?"
asked Mrs. Pennell, having finished
the letter.
''I shall. 1t seems too much like n
dispensation of Providence to be neg
lected."
81 am so gladr'
Mr.. Pennell went to his library and
wrote to Mr.. Smith, mentioning the
letter from "Brother" Blake and in
viting him to substitute for him dur
ing the coming six weeks.
Three days later Mr.. Smith came to
Brookville.
He was of the medium height,
slight, pale-faced; had long auburn
whiskers, worn a 10 Anglais, curly
hair of the same hue; blue eyes, that
were sharp, inquisitive, penetrating;
regular, pleasing features; was evi-
IDENTIFY not far from 25.
The following Sunday he occupied n
scat in the pulpit with Mr.. Pennell,
but took no part in the exercises, ex-
cept to offer the closing prayer.
At the conclusion Of the morning
service-the only one for the day
the pastor introduced him to the more
prominent members with the re-
mark-it soon became sterotyped:
"Mr. Smith will preach for me
while am having the vacation which
it appears to be my duty to take, and
I think you will have no reason to re
gret the temporary change"
Everyone expressed his pleasure at
knowing that Mr.. Pennell had con-
cluded to rest; no one doubted but
that Mr.. Smith would satisfactorily
meet all requirements.
Indeed, the newcomer had already
done much toward securing the favor
of those who were to constitute his
congregation.
"What fervent prayer" "How
earnest he seems!" Gle is destined
to become distinguished" aud other
like observations might have been
heard, sotto voce, from the elderly
people.
The maidens whispered to one
another, "Did You ever see such side
whiskers?" "What magnificent eyes
he has!" "Isn' t he fine looking!" and
so on.
The next Sabbath the subject of his
discourse was: 81 was stranger, and
ye took me in" As literary produc-
tion it was mastery, and it was de-
livered in a manner that held the au-
dience spell-bound.
When he descended from the pulpit
an old man, whose frame was bowed,
whose hair was silvered by age, ex-
tended his hand and said, tremulous-
ly:
Brother Smith, in more than 80
years have never heard so excellent
q sermon as yours.
'"Thank you," returned Mr.. Smith.
"Your kind words are encouraging, ~
and blush suffused his face.
From that time his praises were or
every lip. People who were noted
Sabbath-breakers went ~ hear him
the prayer-meeting had an attendance
larger than ii had ever before known
the Sewing CIRCLE" usually discon
tinued through the hot months, was
recognized, aud Of it he was the NOV,
ing spirit.
The young men liked him; the
young women--narried ss we'll q,
single--fairly adored him.
With reference to the gentler Sc,
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