The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-06-28
A WORN PARSON.

Parson Brown ought to open up little
Mary and 1 were sitting the front
porch Sabbath afternoon. Mary was read
ing sensational stories in a Sunday paper,
sometimes reading aloud to me. 1 was
little interested and finally began doing,
but managed to get wide awake before
Mary INDUCED in the foregoing remark.
After moments thoughtful hesitation
remarked: ''Well, I must say Pm get
ting tired Of the same old thing Sunday
after Sunday, the same face, the same
voice, the same gesture and sometimes the
same illustrations. Now, when I was at
Spenceryille, where they had just received
a new minister, there was so much going
on and everything so lively. There were
all the ladies fixing up the parsonage and
every body calling there and making pres
ents, and the house warming. Dear me.
1t all seemed to make so much good feel
ing
''That's it," said Mary. ''There is no
feeling at all here. Parson Brown is
good enough man, but he is so slow-pos-
itively so slow. 1t sometimes comes over
me, JOhn''-then Mary lowered her voice,
whether it was in fear of being heard by
the leaves of the apple tree near by, or by
the robins building their nest in the tree
top, by the old dog Madge that lay on
the mat by the window, cannot say
THAT perhaps it would be best for US to
have change of pastors, though would
not like to be the one to start the idea in
the parish"
mo, indeed, - said. "But still he has
been here a long time.''
Eyes, and getting trife old, little
wOrn-cheh worn, If we were to use a
mercantile term. a younger man, now,
would ltven up things. We could pay him
a better salary and give things a new
start, answered Mary.
'There is 10 fault to be found with
Brother Brown, though said I, for
could not find it in my heart to hear him
run down. mot a bit, not bit. It's
only that-tbat perhaps his usefulness
here Is at an cad. What do you say, Mary,
to driving over to hear Parson Jones this
morning, just for change? He is more
my style, beats and wakes folks up, so
they say
What" said Mary, "clear over to Pipe
town. 1t was ten miles away
eyes" said. IN hitch up in few
minutes, and we can make the trip in an
hour
Mary made no objeotion-ln fact, rather
enjoyed the suggestion-and in a little
while we were spinning on our way. As
we neared Pipetown we saw many people
on their way to church.
"Great many people out for morning
services said L "Our folks do not turn
out this way
"Parson Jones is a man that draws"
said Mary, keeps up the interest in the
church, you see.'
There was quite a crowd in the entry,
and as we were waiting for some one to
show us a seat we overheard a man say:
you'll hear something worth hearing
today. Mr.. Ct couldn't get hold of the
name, though I tried) is going to preach"
I looked at Mary. was afraid she had
set her heart on hearing Mr.. Jones, but as
far as was concerned didn't mind hear
ing a stranger, especially if he was like
what they said, for they we're talking right
on.
"He's a strong preacher-yes, strong,
that's just the word. We are always glad
when we get him on an exchange. Won
der he has staid long in the country.
He's none of your hop and jump sort,
does not waste any force in hammering
out sparks, but goes straight to the truth
and drives it home and olinohes it-that
is just the word, clinches it. -
could see the folks were expecting a
little something uncommon by the way
they looked as they settled into their seats.
was looking about a little to see if I
knew anybody present, for had frequent
" been to Pipetown.
did not look toward the pulpit till
heard the minister's voice, and then I al
most jumped from my seat as stared at
him.
Then I stared at Mary, and Mary stared
at me. 1t was Parson Brown, as sure as
you live. If it had not been in church,
should have laughed right out to see
Mary's blank look. But sobered down.
Then 1 could not help observing how the
people listened. 1t was very plain that
they considered Parson Brown a great
preacher. Their interest set me to noticing
him more carefully. I finally concluded
that, while he was not handsome man, 1t
is not often you see a more scholarly face
or hear more earnest words. Then no
ticed the deep lines of care on his face,
made largely by the heavy church burdens
he was obliged to carry. I thought of the
children he had baptized, of the funerals
he had conducted of the sorroWing hearts
he had colnforted, of the many kind and
helpful words he had spoken, and as I
kept on thinking felt tears swell in my
eyes and run down on my cheeks
When he came to his text, Mary gave
me nudge, for, if you will believe me, it
was the same we had heard the Sunday
before. But am willing to confess that
it was mostly new, for 1 did not listen
we'll before. In fact, I had got into the
way of thinking that Brother Browns
sermons were not edifying to me. saw
the man we heard in the entry nod his
head, as much as to say: Didn't tell
you so? That's one of his clinchers.' - After
the sermon was finished and the hand
shaking time came think Mary and I
were just little proud to have folks know
that Parson Brown was our minister.
We didn't speak a word for more than
half the way home, and then I said:
81 say, Mary, there's such a thing as
going farther and faFing worse. F"
WELL said Mary, ''if that's what you
mean, we have been faring just about the
same.''
ono, that isn't what I mean. Mary,
how much bigger salary ought we to raise
for Brother Brown2 Yes, it ought to be
done. These things need stirring up, and
for one am going to stir them up" Here
I jerked the lines till the horse fairly
jumped. 81 am going to take hold with
the pastor with greater heartiness than