Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-10-06


discourse. In country places he can
not use a manuscript. 1t will not do
He must be prepared to preach "oi
hand" He has very little time u
prepare, but when he breaches b.
must handle his subject as though b.
always knew 1t.
Next be takes up the Sunday scboo
lesson for next Sunday, for he is OF on
called upon to teach class or revie"
the lesson for the school. He studies
up this lesson we'll fact he puts In
more time and research upon it than
he does upon bis sermon.
1t 10 noon. To the door comes q
tall country boy.
~ was sent to tell you" he solemn
| " begins, "tbat Mrs. Nevercome's
baby has died and they want you to
preach the funeral"
"How far IS itp" y
"Only two miles and a half. It's
at two O'Clock
The minister groans inwardly.
"The baby's grandma was a mem
Der Of yer church back in Tndiany."
J He promises to 60, bolts q dinner,
borrows a horse and buggy, dresses
up, takes his Bible and his wife and
starts for the house Of mourning.
The services are conducted. He
trieste soothe the grief-stricken father
and mother with the comforts Of the
gospel. He heads the procession to
the wiud-Swept prairie cemetery, and
takes leave OF the friends who are
moving sadly away from the open
grave. t.t
He hurries home for he must leave
on the $3.50 train for his meeting TO.
night. He rushes to the depot with
out supper. The train is thirty min.
utes late; then as they are leaving 1t
is side.tracked by an eastbound stock
train. He gets to the place just in
time to begin services. He 10 tired,
hungry and thirsty. He moves among
them greeting them all as affably and
pleasantly as he can. Soon the SER
vices begin. He has to lead the sing
ing, and finally begins his sermon.
By this time he has forgotten hum
ger and weariness. He 10 enthused.
He gets such splendid atteation.
That 10 o characteristic Of country
places. He warns to bis subject and
II seems to him that 1t 10 the best SER
mon he ever preached. He gives out
q closing song and invites everyone
to come and seek q new life. At the
close everyone comes up and shakes
hands and says II enjoyed your ser.
mon" but it 10 oftea said in snch
perfunctory way that he doubts the
truth Of the statement.
Then by the aid Of lantern he is
walked nearly a mile to brothers
house to stay over night. He sits in
he parlor and talks with the family
IN religious topics, tells the children
tories and finally he is shown to bed.
he Is asked II he has been
% supper, but oftener not.
He is put to sleep in the "spare
oom." In winter 1t 10 chilly place.;
y summer 1t is poorly ventilated or
nay DO infested with mosquitoes.
lis mind dwells on his sermon and
10 cannot sleep for a long time. Be-
ore nature 10 satisfied with the guam
ity Of rest, the family is stirring, the
attic Of stove lids, the earthquake
ar Of the coffee grinder, the smell Of ;
rying potatoes and the clamor Of
hildren's voices soon wake him up.
10 Is weak and yearns for light,
ainty breakfast, but solid food-6t
My for men who dig and shovel-is I
assed to him. But he gets through
18th this meal and then has four
ours left before train time. He
ANTS to begin work on his Sunday
srmons but there is no chance. He 2
'anders about the little village. Some T
len tell him old jokes and stories d
lat are hoary with age, but he is
zpected to laugh heartily aud take n
sep interest In each one. After hear. !. :,
& all about the crops and the live s.
ock, opinions are even ventured on o
sxt years politics and the probable q
itcome Of the special session Of con- a
Al | M