The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-06-01
Ministerial Surprise
) How Young Clergyman Captured
His Parishioners.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Green Island is away out west. a few
miles beyond anywhere, and 1t is, or was.
tired Of itself. Every one in it wondered
why any one else had moved there and
rather suspected that 1t was for reasons
which were best kept quiet. IL any one
ut Green Island showed any talent, ev-
cry one else was quick to proclaim that II
was quite inferior, else why should the
person be at Green Island? The town
was without social pleasures. No one
thought to ask any one else to dine. In
the strict sense OF the word indeed no
one at Green Island dined. The folks
ate when the table was set that was the
fact OF the case. Schoolteachers who
went there had a melancholy time and
usually broke down and had to 70 home.
Their complaints bore various names;
but, as a matter of fact, they were per-
ishing Of homesickness. 1t would not
have done for Green Island girl to have
taught No one would have confidence In
her. Even the town physician was re-
garded with constant distrust, and his
successful cases were accounted acct
dents or the work Of nature, while his
unrelenting tenacity. The attorneys
alone enjoyed something like a reputa-
ton, and they had a great deal to do.
In fact, litigation was one Of the few d.
versions Of the folk at Green Island.
The town had its religion, of course.
1t had three different brands--all blown
in on the bottle. And the one display Of
courtesy In the place was the obligation,
generally recognized, Of everybody to at.
tend an Ice cream social or an oyster
supper, regardless OF views about fore
ordination or immersion. BY such con-
trivances were the elergymen paid their
salaries-those microscopical salaries so
grudgingly bestowed, SO complaisantly
recollected by the congregation as II sat
estimating whether or not it was getting
its moneys worth. None of the three
churches had been able to secure a resi-.
dent clergyman, but each divided its
preacher with certain other congrega-
lions on an itinerary and enjoyed SER
mon once in three Sundays. But that
Sunday might not be passed without
worship 1t was the custom of the Green
Island folk to attend en- masse whatever
meeting house was open. This, 1t will
be perceived, caused a systematic rota-
ton.
ANOW IL huBPcHtd hhut thC titi man AZ
one OF these churches, having gathered
six olive branches about him, found it
inconvenient to live on $3.50 a year-he
was said by all to be an extravagant man
and he gave up his position, aye, turn
ed his back on his calling, and taught
Latin In certain high school. That was
how II came about that the Beth Eden
congregation and the two other churches
OF that itinerary stood in need of a new
preacher. One offered himself. He came
from the middle west. And he gave il
out that he was going to live at Green
Island. This was really feather in the
cap of Green Island, but the people did
not take it so. They wondered what was
the matter with him. Was there any
reason why he preferred an finland" te
a railway town? 1t was curious.
When he appeared, it seemed still more
curious. He was different. No matter
what any one else was like, he was diff
ferent. He walked along with big
swing and stride and seemed to think all
the people liked him. What imperti.
nence! He was dressed in an elegant
suit Of shot gray. Was it not known that
the uniform Of Green Island preacher
no matter what his denomination, was
shiny black7 His hat was an inch and
NAH tOO luE Ou TIC OaSh VI his hCoo AOf
clerical dignity, and from the edge pro
truded q fringe of handsome red curls
His eyes were red brown, large and
laughing; his heavy. auburn eyebrows
met above his nose; he was smooth
shaved and had n dimple in his chin; he
was Just the right height for his shout
ders, which were two inches broader
than the average; he had dark tan shoes,
no cane, no umbrella, no smirk, no rub
bling of the hands, no whine. no attitude
of humility. And, powers above, wheE
he got to a fence he vaulted overl
He had evidently made up his mind te
stay, for he began his activities, not by
calling on his Pensioners, but by pur'
chasing a barn at the end Of a peculiar
" shady and beautiful old lot, and be
proceeded to ct II up into most pictur'
esque abiding place. People came around
to see what he was doing, and he put NJ
seats under the trees and talked and told
stories till they forgot to go home. But
this was In the evening. II they called
during the day. he went right on with his
carpenteripg or painting or gardening
and invited them to take hand.
When he came to preach his hrst ser
mon, everybody was agog.
do yeh think he'll go into the pulpit
In that there speckled suiti" Mary Fen
mig asked Of Cora Belle Harmon. They
and the other girls were intensely inter
ested. But he was In black Of conven.
tional cut and he gave a good gospel
sermon with no personalities. He didn't
talk about the sips Of Green Island Of
the religious indifference OF the commu
nifty, rs Ne other preachers had been In
the habit Of doing. He appeared to be
ignorant about these subjects. Appar.
emily he took the religious interest Of q
community with three churches fol
granted. He made good deal Of the
singing and the prayers. and he had the
congregation respond in the reading OF
the Scriptures. Altogether, the service
seemed exceedingly short. but the eau.
tious consultation OF watches showed Il
to have been of the usual length.
The people had expected to be greeted
in . c6n1escending sort Of way BY their
pastor. Such was the custom. But this
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