Smyrna times., 1909-12-15
REV. BURKE'S XMAS STORY
Tells of an Incident of His EArly Min
istry When In Charge of a Cir
cult In This Conference.

The near approach of another
Christmas calls very vividly this
little story to mind. 1t was in my
early ministry, / had a circuit of I
three churches. My wife and l asked /
the privilege of furnishing the Christ
mas turkeys for the tables of our
dear old parents. The coming Tues ,
day was Christmas day and the com
] ing Sunday was expected to put into
our hands the needful funds. These
would come from our country churches
and particularly from one of them
where, the previous week, an enter
tainment had netted snug sum which
the good women meant seould be
turned over to the pastor. l never
liked festivals Ito raise the salary,
but l was ready to accept it with
thanks now, for these two turkeys
must be provided. The sermon over,
che treasurer of the entertainment
arose and read his report and
closed by saying the church owed him
an old bill which he had covered by
the overflow placed in his hands.
About that time there were two very
heavy hearts. The other country
church owed nothing on salary and
was not expected to make any advance
payments. had no appetite for din
ner, didn't even 90 to the table In
due time we had covered the distance
to the other church. Silently wife
and l prayed for divine help. He
who while on earth fed thousands
from a basket little boy swung on
: his arm, could in some way furnish
: the funds for those two Christmas
turkeys. The sermon over, dis
missed the audience, but there wel {
, three persons who did not turr
4 toward the door, wife and self and E
dear friend of a sister church, whC
was pressing toward the chancel hold
i ing in his outstretched hand some
q thine that made our hearts beat very
q quickly. AS he neared me he said
: 81 have had a presentment, m!
brother, chat you may need a little
more cash to tide you over th'
. Christmas holidays, accept this, >
is reaching me a good-sizei greenback
r. with my kindliest wishes for
ID pleasant Christmas. l. had chnk
It ing sensation and couldn't make an,
1t reply save in a few unbidden tears
at The two turkeys were now safe TO
Of the tables of our dear parents. Th
le distance home was covered befor
ed we we're aware of it. The followin
of morning "bright and early" W
or were on the road to Wilmington
Mt The turkeys were purchased, packe
C. and shipped and after the purcha'
nd of a few cheap toys and some cano
wv for the children we turned homewal
al with hearts as happy as could haN
ce been found. The drive home was I'll
tie ,eakably pleasant, and our hometo
.e, was in sight before half the distan
lry it seemed had been covered. AS '
tor turned into our home street we SO
H. the children rush out, each eager
ru- be the first to bear to US some 81
mssage. In our absence a donati
had dropped in on us and there W
Ae' for us big t turkey for our Chris
nor mas, several chickens. fruit, veg
we tables, flour and feed for a mon
aid for our house. was ashamed
in acknowledge my faith in my HEAVIER
uld Father had ever wavered. "Give
to thfSaHay our daily bread, mes
&C. more than bare language, The p
He phet assured the poor widow If
ga trust wavered not "the barrel
owe meal shall not waste neither shall
an, cruise of oil fail" There are peo
/. d" in our town who crave more than Il
azel will likely get for barrel and or
ted let's help them out of our sea-
und supplies. A merry Christmas to
Iery &C. W. B.
rib ---- ---------------