Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1900-03-08
HIS ONLY FAULT.


couch in his study. He had not
accomplished one of the things he
had planned for this day, and vet
it had been a very busy one. In
the morning he had been called to
conduct funeral service four miles
away, and in the afternoon had
come a summons to a sick parish
Toner, which necessitated a bicycle
ride over a rough country road in
another direction. When he reach.
ed home he found members of the
building committee awaiting him
to request that he would on next
Sabbath morning urge his people
to contribute more generously to-
ward the church fund. With the
usual volatility of countrymen it
had taken them long time to de-
eide upon the programme for Sun
day morning, But first he would
open the question box, which, for
the benefit OF his hearers, he had
fastened on the chapel door. Per-
haps at the prayer meeting the
night before some troubled heart
had come to him for help.
The number OF letters surprised
him. There we're actually elk.
Mum Der one was the simple query
which has puzzled men since the
world began "Is it ever right to
do evil that good may come -
The second please preach from
the text, -four and twenty knives. ]"
And the third "Do you believe
it possible for any one to attain
perfection in this life ?"
"The other three, which seemed
long letters, he left until last.
Their contents surprised aud shock
ed him. The fourth stated that in
view Of the heavy expenses which
the church had to support, il seem
cd to the writer, aud perhaps to
others, that il would be much bet
ter IL they bad a pastor who would
come to them for smaller salary.
Being deeply attached to dear Mr..
Ferris. his loss would be a trial to
them. but the greatest good TO the
greatest number muat always be-
considered, And so. laying all sell.
fish considerations aside, the writer
remained bic sincere wecl wishcr.
There was, Of course, no signature.
The tenor OF the 9th was much
the same, except that this writer
thought II they could have an un-
married man for the pastor il would
be better In these hard times re-
trenchmont was necessary every
where. aud with a minister without
a family they would be able to econ
omize much.
The last began With an apology,
but a few lines merged into the
statement that these are progress.
i've times, aud fresh, young ideas
ever in demand. The only fault to
be found with their pastor that be
was growing old, and a younger nan
would be more acceptable.
"GroEing old" Mr.. Ferris had
dreaded the time when he would
reach the ministerial dead line.
but he had not thought that il
came so early. lie had just passed
his forty-second birthday. To be
sure, gray hairs were plentiful, and
there were many lines OF care in his
fine face. However, he had come
at the wish Of this people, and at
their wish he would 90. So, with
languid step, Edward Ferris
crossed the village street, and en-.
tered the plain little manse.
His wife looked up with cherry
smile, and then, rs she saw his sad
face, exclaimed, whats the mat.
ter, dear ?"
The thought that this sorrow
must touch this sweet woman, who,
because she loved him, had so brave.
ly borne many trials, but added to
his trouble. 1t concerned her, too,
however so for answer he handed
her one Of the letters.
Her merry laugh rang out as she
finished. 80, Edward, isn't il
funny? They think the magni6ci.
ent sum of one thousand dollars
paid when they please. too much