Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-10-13

suuJoCt' 0oAAo6 - ~NSJ
A half dozen sermons can be prepared
if necessary.
But he needs air and exercise, so
he fixes himself up and starts out to
make more calls. Every place viait-
ed calls for some new subject Of con-
yersation. The ladies' aid society,
the church papers, a new pulpit car
pet-these are iavorite topics. The
choir leader submits new songs. The
treasurer tells about delinquent mem
bers. Teachers tell him about the
difficulties in keeping their classes
together. Some Of the members are
sick, some are busy, others are not
at home. Some have met with 'finan-
cial losses, some talk Of selling out
and moving away. He must laugh
with some. sympathize with Others
and be polite and agreeable to all.
On Friday evening large class Of
young people assemblies in the church
aud he delivers a lecture on "Old
Testament History and Characters"
So after making these calls he must
hurry home and read over again sew
eral chapters Of the Bible to iix fresh
" in his mind the events as founda.
ton for his lecture. This uses up
Friday evening, but it is an important
service. Its value lies in both the
educational and social qualities Of the
young people OF the church
Saturday morning comes. He goes
up town, attends to the family mar
keting, posts up notices Of his Sum
day services, talks with some other
preacher few minutes, gets his col
lars and cuffs from the local agent Of
a city laundry and goes home. Today
he can surely read a book. Only 20
pages are turned when there is a
knock. 1t is neighbor.
"Have you heard how Sister Brown
isP We're quite interested in her at
our house-she's such faithful
worker in the church"
The minister remembers that he
promised to "call again. So he lays
aside his book.and goes forth to make
his rounds among the sick brothers
and sisters again. All on whom he
calls are glad to see him-but in these
country towns the distances are mag
nificent. Much timeis spent in going
from house to house. The day wanes,
evening comes on and he goes home
Ionce more. There are four services
to attend tomorrow. He takes last
look at his sermons; he takes bath
and goes to bed.
Sunday morning he is up early.
His Sunday clothes are brought out
and brushed. A loose button is dis
covered which he sews on. He blacks
his own shoes, eats a hurried break
fast, retires to his study to 60 over
his morning sermon once more, and
starts for church. His wife and chill
dren get themselves ready and, as a
rule, go there separately.
1t is his business to greet all the
children as they come in, and happy
is the preacher that can call each BY
name. The Sunday school takes up
one hour, ho teaches a class. The
morning service begins at eleven.
The seats are not all filed. The peo-
pie keep coming until eleven-thirty.
A thirty-minute sermon is delivered
and at its close an invitation is given
A young couple walk up and present
letters from another church. Perhaps
young lady comes up and wants "
join. Some grand old hymn is sung
and the whole church comes up tt
greet the new members. Baptism ii
announced for s O'Clock and the morn
ing service is ended.
The preacher and his family MAJ
be invited out to dinner and be eat
Ia, big dinner, consisting OF many
indigestible things, for which be il
punished all the following week will
heart burn.
The baptismal service is held at
O'Clock. This necessitstes a chang
Of clothing-he is an advocate Of i'm
mersion. Next he takes another toul
among his people in order to see thos'
who cannot be seen during the week
He is invited somewhere to suppe