The Afro-American advance., 1900-04-07
AMinisteriaI Surprise

GREEN ISLAND is away out west,
few miles beyond anywhere;
aud IL is or WAS - tired of itself,
Everyone in IL wondered why anyone
else had moved there, and rather sus-
pected that Ii was for reasons which
were best kept quiet. II fanyone at
Green island showed any talent, ev-
eryone else was quick TO proclaim that
Il was quite inferior-else why should
the person be at Green Island The
town was without social pleasures. No
one thought to ask anyone else 10
dine. In the strict sense of the word,
indeed, no one at Green Island dined,
The folks ate when the table WIS set
that was the fact of the case.
school-teaehers who went there had
melancholy time, and usually broke
down and had to go home, Their
complaints bore various names, but,
as matter Of fact, they were perish
ing Of homcsickness. n would not
have done for Green Island girl TO
have taught. No one would have con-
fidencc In her. Even the town pbysi-
clan was regarded with constant dis
trust, and his successful eases were
accounted accidents, or the work of
nature, while his unsuccessful ones
were remembered with unrclenting te-
nacity. The attorneys alone enjoyed
something like reputation. and they
had a great deal TO do. In fact. liti-
cation was one OF the few diversions
of the folk at Green Island.
The town had it's religion, OF course.
II 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 10 attend an ice cream
social or an oyster supper, regardless
Of views about foreordiDation or im-
merAion, by such oontriynnces were
the elerRymen paid their salaries
those mieroscopical salaries so grudg-
ingly bestowed, 10 complaisantly ree-
objected by the congregation as Il sat
estimating whether or not IL was get
ting lts moneys worth. None of the
three churches had been able 10 Sc
cure resident clergyman, but each
divided it's preacher with certain 9th.
or congregations on an itinerary, aud
enjoyed sermon once In three Sun.
days. But that Sunday might not be
passed without Worship. It was the
custom OF the Green Island folk 20 at
tend en- masse whatever meeting
house was open. This, II will be per-
oeiyed. caused "A systematic rotation.
Now II happened that { e clergy
man at one of these churches. having
gathered six olive branches about him.
found u inconvrnleut To live ON $3.50
n ycar-he was said by all To he an
extrayagant man-nnd hr gave up his
position: aye, turned his back ON his
calling aud taught Latin In a certain
high school. That was how IL came
about that the beth Eden congrega.
tion and the two other churches of
that itinerary stood In need of new
preacher. One offered himself lie
came from the middle west. And he
gave II out that he was going 90 live
nt Green Island. This was really
feather In the cap Of Green Island,
but the people did not take IL 80.
They wondered what was the matter
with him. Was there any reason why
he preferred an Finland" To railway
town. II WAS curious.
When he appeared II seemed stili
more curious. lie was different No
matter what anyone else was like, he
was different He walked along with
big swing and stride and seemed 10
think all the people liked him. What
impertinence! lie was dressed In an
elegant suit Of shot gray was II not
known that the uniform OF Green
Island preacher, no matter what his
denomination. was shiny black His
hat was an inch and half too far
ON the back OF his head for clerical
dignity, aud from the edge protruded
fringe of handsome red curis Ills
eyes were red-brown. large aud laugh.
ing, bis heavy auburn eyebrows met
above his nose. he was smooth. shayen,
and had dimplc In his chin. lie was
Just the right height for his ahoul.
ders, which were two inches broader
than the average, He had dark tan
shoes, no cane, no umbrella. no Amlrk.
no rubbing Of the hands, no whine. no
attitude Of humility. And powers
aboycl When he got to fence he
vRulted overt
He had evidently made up his mind
to stay, for he began his activities.
not by calling on his parishianerA. but
by purchasing barn al the end uf a
peculiarly shady and beautiful old lot,
and he proceeded 60 az IL up into a
most picturesque abiding place. Peo.
pie came around to see what he was
doing, and he put up seats undcr the
trees. and talked anj told stories TIN
they forgot to go home But this was
In the evening II they called during
the day he went right ON with his
earpentcring or painting or garden.
ing, and invited them To take a hand
When he came "a preach his first
sermon everybody MAS agog.
"no yeh think hc'll SO into the pull.
pit in that there speekled suit =" Mary
fenuig asked of Cora Belle Harmon.
They aud the other girls were intense.
ly interested. Hut he was In black.
Of conventional cut, aud he gave a
good Gospel sermon with no personal.
itieH. lie ditlnt talk about the sins
Of Green Island or the religious lndif.
terrence Of the community, az the other
preachers had been in the habit Of do
ing, He appeared 10 ee ignorant about
these subjects. Apparently he took
the religious Interest Of "A Cs1fSttnun{tx