Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1910-07-08
AN EASTER
SERMON
By GRACE ETHEL WEEKS
CopyrighI lsl0 by American Press
ASSOCIATION

framed. big hearted man who should
have followed an active career. He
had stood low In his classes while In
college. but had redeemed himself on
the football gridirou, carrying his uni,
versity colors to victory ou his own
hep'ulpan shoulders.
When Tom accepted his first call
he tried extempuraneous sermons
They were not satisfactory. Members
of his congregation limited to him that
they would prefer written sermons
This was blow to him. In college
he had usually se'ured 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 a clergyman living in a
small town distant from the city In
which be himself lived who made
practice of writing sermons for other
incumbents of pulpits. Tom thought
II pity that this man was born with
the ability to write not only his own
sermons. but those OF other people.
while he. poor fellow. was not able
even to write his own. There was
something pathetic In this big broad
shouldered fellow. In the vigor OF his
youth. strong "a 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
rvla hn
sermons. lnglehart replied that he
would and named his price. Howard
agreed to pay II and ordered half a
dozen sermons. They were sent with
In a fortnight. and Howard was de-
lighted with them. After delivering
one of them many of his congregation
surrounded him. pouring forth con
gratuIations that he had found the
true method of getting up his sermons.
Mr.. Howard congratulated himself
that he had. At the same time he
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, a feminine tenderness at times
more betting a reverend cream cheese
than a reverend athlete. Howard
wrote Mr.. lnglehart about It. and In
glehart asked him TO send him his
photograph. The photograph was sent,
and Mr.. Inglehart asked: why didn't
you send II before? Now know what
kind of man you are and can write
for you accordingly"
The next sermon received was a
Thanksgiving address to be delivered
Oh the date Of great football match
between two prominent universities.
1t was bristlIng with such expressions
as fight the good fight" ''smote them
hip and thigh" and conquer by the
Lords help" In delivering 1t 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. Resides.
the clergyman didn't fancy any of
them. However. he received L,any
| hints that the church would prefer a
married pastor. and he began TO think
he must marry or fud another field Of
| labor. Thinking that one who had
helped him out so well with his ser
mons might be equally serviceable In
matter of matrimony. be wrote Mr..
Iuglehart. with whom he had become
quite intimate through correspondence.
of his dilemma and asked him II be
knew of any girl who would make a
good clergyman's wife. Inglehart re-
piled that there were a number of fine
young women In his parish and II be
would come up Inglehart would give
him a chance to look them ever. How
ard replied that he would go up for a
brief visit IN Lent. because be wished
to talk over a sermon for Easter that
would bear upon the duty of the young
men of his congregation to marry,
This would include himself. but be
was doing his own duty In looking for
a wife.
So during the second week In Lent.
Howard. having secured a classmate
In the seminary to take his place at
daily services for day or two. went
to visit lngIehart. 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 to 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 desk.
BEG pardon" be said. Il supposed
l should find your father in here"
"You are Mr.. Howard. know you
from the photograph you sent me-"
"Sent yoRr'
Yes: pass as Egbert Inglehart
That was my fathers name. have
written the sermons sent you"
The big man looked down on the
girl. and hot blush spread over bis
face. The girl looked amused.