The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-15
THE NEW MINISTER.
[From THE Story Of a Country Town

CFrom THE Story of a Country Town."
by E. w. Howell
Rev. Goode Shepherd came west, am
of the opinion, because the east was
crowded with good men, and because
he had heard there was a scarcity of
such in our direction. Although he had
some vague ideas on the subject of
growing up with the country, he prob
ably consented to come because some
body recommended it, and not because
he was exactly clear himself how the
move was to be of benefit
Had some one in whose Judgment he
had equal confidence suggested after
his arrival that he had better go back
again. have no doubt that he would
have become convinced finally that the
Lord had said it, instead of a friend,
and quietly returned to the place from
which he had come; for he was always
uncertain whether his convictions were
the result of inspiration, or whether
they were the result of the gossip he
had heard.
1 had remarked of my fathers re-
ligion that it was a yoke that did not
fit him, and which was uncomfortable
to wear; but the Rev. GoOde Shepherd s
religion was his vocation and pleasure,
and he believed in it with all the
strength of which he was capable.
That he was poor was evidence to him
that he was accepted of the Master who
had sent him, rather than that his life
had been a failure; and the work ex-
and with enthusiasm. He had no de-
sire to do anything which was not re-
ligious; and the higher walks of his pro-
feSSiOn, and heaven finally as his re-
ward. were all he desired or expected.
There was abundant scope in theology
for his ambition, and, far from craving
an active business life, he rather chose
his profession because it offered ex-
cuse for knowing SO little about the
affairs of men.
I have thought that because he took
pleasure in his religion, and loved it,
was one reason why it was not so hard
and unforgiVing as my fathers, for
on this question there was nothing in
common between them except that both
believed that there is a heaven, and
that If is desirable to be saved, The
Rev. Goode Shepherd believed that
learning and luxury could go hand in
hand with religion; my father, that
luxury was an invention of the Devil
10 make men forget, and that learn
ing could be trusted to only a very few,
because, unless coupled with the most
pronounced piety, it was very danger
Gus. The Rev. GoOde Shepherd believed
that a religious life was most easily
lived, and that a merciful Providence
had ordered it that way because tins
children of men are weak; my tather
that the easy road to travel was the
broad one which led to torment, and
that The other was narrow and diff
cult, but ending very pleasantly as a
recompense for travelling it, and that ii
was ordered that way so that only the
brave and deserving should win the
prize, Kidding the righteous of the weak
and the undeServing by burning them
1 Nd The Rev. Goode Shepherd believed
that while walking the golden streets
of the heavenly city he would meet
/ MANY of the friends he had worried
about. saved by love infinitely greater
| than he expected; my father, that he
would miss many faces in Paradise he
/ had half expected to see, but who hac
fallen. exhausted by the wayside ano
! given up the struggle.
| The new dispensation did much fol
| Fairview and it's advancement after
the coming of Mr.. Shepherd was GER
| tainly more rapid than it had eVe1
| been before.
I never knew. but it seems probable
/ to me now, that Mr.. Shepherd was edu-
/ Gated for the ministry because he was
quiet and religious as boy, and haC
/ always led a blameleSS and exemplary
/ life [ think his expenses at school were
paid by relatives none too well off them
selves, and that he went directly from
college to the pulpit. don't know VIVA
made Inc think 1t, but 1 always be
lieved d widowed mother-aided, per
haps by an older sister or two engag-
ed in teaching-had provided for his
| education by the closest economy; thai
| he had always intended to become IA
| NOUS to repay them for their Kindness
DuL HnQlHS II d ilstIueI ldSh tASi1i ne no
! agined, that he had. in later life, set
| tied down to the conviction that to be-
| good is better than to be great.
When his tall form and pale face ap-
| peared above the pulpit at Fairview fol
the first time, the impression was gen
eral among the people that he was oldel
| than they expected. The one child he
had written he was possessed of turned
out to be a pretty girl of nineteen OF
twenty, who attracted great deal o.
attention as she came in with her moth
ed and sat down near the pulpit. Boil
sat throughout the service withOu
looking around, perhaps because the!
thought it was not likely they woulC