The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1902-08-07

pei. who spoke with the assur-
ance OF a man who IL decided success
In his profession. but Il II his expert
ence and knowledge Of human nature.
From the moment man graduates
from the theological college 10 the end
OF his career as clergyman his expert
ences are worth recording.
Really ] think my most ridiculous
experience. a rather, the experience
showing the most peculiar specimen Of
human nature. occurred about two
years ago. had ofiiciated at funeral,
anS the grieving husband assured me
that he wished TO pay me something for
my services, and would come TO see me
In the course Of n few weeks. I pro-
tested, but thought no more Of It.
Six months later he appeared in my
home, accompanied by a lady. He said
he wished 10 marry the young woman.
and % tied the knot. Then he asked
me to 60 out into the hall, and he hand
ed me $40 bill, saying:
Bay. Ia that enough for both jobsT
Let me tell you Of case which
sounds like the tale of revivalIst. One
stormy winters night. when the con-
gregation was small, I preached SER
mon on honesty.
After the service n stranger. who
had been sitting In one of the back
seats. asked me n he might have lit
tie talk with me. consented, and took
him into my study.
HE said that my sermon had stirred
him all up: that several years ago he
had told q falsehood, committed dis
honest act. and had thereby got possess
sion Of large sum Of money. He said
neither his employer nor any one else
knew Of his dishonesty, but that he had
not had a comfortable moment for all
these years.
HE was engaged to n spirited young
woman. and was about TO be married.
He wanted me to determine for him
whether he should 20 to his employer.
make clean breast OF .he matter. and
then tell his betrothed. and leave II to
her TO break or keep the engagement,
as she saw ft.
II talked with him long while and
advised him To clear up the whole affair.
] told him that II he did not his mar
riage would mean nothing to him. as he
could not possibly be as good husband
with such cloud hanging over him.
and that probably II would change his
whole temperament 30 that he would
not be lovablc. ! advised him To get
the whole thing on his conscience.
1.-TWO weeks after had letter from
him from far part OF the country.
He wrote that he had told his employer,
lost his place, ruined his reputation,
lost his sweetheart. but now. he was
having rest that he had not been able
to enjoy for years. He said that II near
u broke his heart to give up his lady
love. but that some day he might ask
another woman to marry him, and then
he could ask her TO marry an honest
man.
Real Tragedies Encountered.
But think of what heavy RESPONSE
bility the man put on me In asking me
what course he should pursue.
I'VE run across real tragedies every
once In while and some OF such ma
ture that they eat into our very soul
over them. One wild rainy night be-
draggled woman came to my home.
"She was wet through, her hair was
flying down her back and around her
face and her garments were worn and
frayed. When came'into the room she
was squeezing her hands together until
you Noutu ssgah hht oouNo CtoSA.
"'Do you know who I amr she
asked.
II told her I did not. Then she asked
me II remembered reading In the pa
pers about q woman killing her hns-
band, and said she was that woman.
81 remembered the newspaper story.
The provocation for the murder had
been so great that the grand Jury would
not indict her.
shs was in . fearful state, half crazy,
not because she had murdered her hus-
hand, hut because she believed she had
sent him into eternity without a chance
for repentance and salvation. She be-
lieved that by repentance her crime
would be forgiven her, but she could
not get over tie idea that she had taken
away all chance Of salvation from her
husband.
II reasoned with the woman and
prayed with her-and told her that the
question Of salvation did not lie In her
hands, hut In she hands of the Ever
Just One and that he would grant mer-
cy where Il was deserved and that we
mortals could not shape such things.
II got the woman quieted and In q
saner frame Of mind and I believed that
I had settled the question for her. A
month later ! picked up the newspaper
and saw that they had found her and
her children dead In bed with both gas
burners turned on. Evidently she had
become crazy over the subject and could
not stand II any longer.
Annoyed By Anonymous Letters.
DO you know that anonymous letters
are the bane OF clergyman's life3 A
neigh b0r Of mine went crazy simply
because OF such letters. He had re-
ceived 20 many threatening his life and
also demanding LIackmail that he did
not dare 10 20 out on the streets and
finally became insane.
"0enerally these letters are not q
scheme for money, but are pure devil
ment on the part of the writer Oi
course. We get all sorts Of criticism In
these letters and numerous suggestions.
The only way p dispose Of such letters
b 70 throw them into the Are nj once.
"The criticisms which q minister
must stand directly from his congrega-
tion are often most Irritating, but q
Methodist friend OF mine got the better
0t one old fsult-hndcr. The m!nister's
views were q little moro liberal thar
wese allowed by that denomination II
'He had received warning that he
vus thought 10 be something Of here-
Tie, 20 he became very careful his SER
mons were q model OF Methodism. hut
he lst himself ont In his prayers when
ne offered these petitions he prayed for
everything and everybody and was a
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