The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-09-13

said they had no pastor, would L preach
for them? l would and did. 1t surely
was a country pastorate.
l was camping on the farm of Mr.. Ben
nett and he drove me to service. about
four or five miles, l think, every Sunday.
When I returned to Philadelphia, in Octo-
Der, they offered me most generous pay
for my poor services. l kept one big
silver dollar and gave back the rest of the
money. 1 had received from those warm
hearted more than any money could meas
ure
l have been preaching ever since, a year
or two. in 1872 as assistant pastor Of
the Lower Merton Baptist church. Bryn
Mawr. Pa, during the pastorate Of the
Rev B. MacMacklin, now Of Philadelphia.
In 1888 that church licensed me to preach.
During my lecture seasons. which last
from October TO May and carry me all
over the United States. I have always
preached every Sunday. SO that my ''one
day pastorates' are scattered over this
| country from Maine to Texas. You might
have heard me when / preached in Madi-
son Avenue Baptist church. New York
City. some time in 1898. l think.
In fact / don't see how you can have
missed hearing me some Sunday during
the last eighteen years. In March, 1885 L
accepted a call as supply for the First
Presbyterian church Of Pasadena, Cal.
and continued as acting pastor-"stated
supply" the Presbyterians call it-for
little over year. In all that time / re-
manned a Baptist and they continued to
be Presbyterians. Nothing separated us
but the baptistry. And If ever I find
sweeter. more lovable people I will have
to go to heaven TO look for them.
At the close OF that pastorate I once
more resumed my lecture work. preached
once or twice week from Dan 10 Beer
sheba, returned home and accepted the
call to the pastorate of the Temple Bap-
list church. of Los Angeles.
To return to your question, How does
II feel to turn from humorist 10 preach
err" Wen. the transition has been so
gradual extending over period Of eigh-
teen years of preaching and writing and
lecturing that the shock ism I very appar-
ent Besides, it has been UP hill ali the
way
I have seen 1t stated that I "wesried OF
the strenuous life Of the lecture field and
sought case in the pastorate." Well
have tried both II I want an easy. lazy
time I would continue TO roam around
the country with half 8 dozen lectures,
each one so old that II will say itself
after you get il started. and change my
audience every day.
intellectually. popular lecturing is the
LATEST occupation Of earth. next after act
ing Of course But 10 60 into the pas
torate. 20 face two fresh sermons every
week with all manner OF unexpected
addresses coming in 10 i'll up the time. in
this day of intellectual activity and alert
ness when the congregation demands that
every sermon shall be the best. the man
who seeks the pastorate for q vacation
viii find far more quiet and ease and
meditative restIulness in falling down
stairs with a kitchen stove or lodging
automobiles on racing day.
ROBERT J. BURDETTE
APPRECIATION FROM a BROTHER
HCMORIST.
BY Eli Perkins Melville u. Iandoa)
Robert J. Burdette preach, Why, he's
been preaching ali these years he who
truthfuIly portrays nature with voice
or pen or brush is preache-. The true
humor1st who describes nature so close TO
lie that you laugh or cry and who makes
you embrace virtue and shun vice Is the