The Randall County news. (Canyon City, Tex.) 1908-1926, 1910-03-25
AN EASTER
SERMON
Bv GRACE ETtiE:. WEEKS
Copyright. 1910. by Anne, lean Press
ASSOCIATION.

The Rev. Tom Howard was not cut
out for clergyman. He was Tom at
school. Tom In college and Tom In the
theological seminary He was good
fellow whom every body loved. a big
framed. big hearted man who should
have followed all active career. He
had stood low In his classes while In
college. but had redeemed himself on
the football gridiron. carrying his uni
versity colors to victory on his own
herculean shoulders.
When Tom accepted his FIRST call
he tried extemporaneOus sermons.
They were not satisfactory. Members
of his congregation limited TO him that
they would prefer written sermons.
This was blow to him. 10 college
he had usually secured the services
of some student possessing literary
gifts to write his essays for him. He
returned to that plan.
Howard skirmished till be secured
the name Of clergyman living In II
small town distant from the city in
which he himself lived who made a
practice of writing sermons for other
incnmbents of pulpits. Tom thought
1t d pity that this man was born with
the ability to write not only his own
sermons, but those of other people
while be. poor fellow. was not able
even to write his own. There was
In broad
shouldered fellow, In the vigor Of his
youth strong as an OK. not being able
to get up a homily that would require
a brief twenty minutes to deliver.
Howard wrote the Rev. Egbert In
glehart asking II be would sell him
sermons. Inglehart replied that he
would and named his price. Howard
agreed to pay 1t and ordered half
dozen sermons. They were sent with
in q fortnight. and Howard was de-
lighted with them. After delivering
one of them many Of his congregation
surrounded him. pouring forth con
gratulations that be had found the
true method Of getting up his sermons
Mr.. Howard congratulated himself
that he had. At the same time be
felt somewhat uncomfortable at hav'
ing his abilities supplied by another.
There were certain points in the ser
mons that were very unlike Mr.. How
ard. feminine tenderness at times
more heitting reverend cream cheese
tnan reverend athlete, Howard
wrote Mr.. lngehart about II. and In
glehart asked him TO send him his
photograph. The photograph was sent.
and Mr. lnglehart asked: why didn't
you send it before? Now know what
kind of man yon are and can write
for you accordingly"
The next sermon received was n
Thanksgiving address to be delivered
on the date of great football match
between two prominent universities.
Ii was bristling with such expressions
as fight the good fight" "smote them
hip and thigh" and conquer by the
Lords help" In delivering it the min
lister was in his element. and his ser
mon was voted brilliant success.
From that time forward Howard
continued TO grow in favor with his
flock. Most Of the girls in the congre-
cation set their caps for him. But
there is safety in numbers. Besides.
the clergyman didn't fancy an! OF
them. However. he received hIany
hints that the church would prefer
married pastor. and he began to think
he must marry or find another field of
labor Thinking that one who had
helped him out so well with his ser
mons might be equally serviceable in
a matter of matrimony. he wrote Mr..
Inglehart. with whom he had become
quite intimate through correspondence,
of his dilemma and asked him If he
knew of any girl who would make
good clergyman's wife. lnglehart re-
piled that there we're n number of fine
young women in his parish and If he
would come up lnglehart would give
him a chance to look them over How
ard replied that he would go up for
brief visit in Lent because he wished
to talk over a sermon for Easter that
NOulh btui uIIDu Tue tulg VI inc y ObhS
men of his congregation to marry.
This would include himself. but he
was doing his own duty in looking for
Il wife
SO during the second week in Lent.
Howard. having secured cassmate
in the seminary to take his place ut
daily services for a day or two. went
10 visit Inglehart He had expected
that as a matter OF course his rever-
end brother would invite him to stay
at his house. But he received no such
invitation and on arrival went 10 a
hotel. The same morning he called
on Inglehart.
Please step into the study" said
the maid who admitted him
Howard passed into the study and
saw a girl writing at a desk.
Beg pardon" he said. Il supposed
l should find your father in here"
You are Mr.. Howard. / know you
from the photograph you sent me"
Sent yOu?"
Yes: pass as Egbert Inglehart.
That was nv fathers name. | have