El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-07-15
By Mana Springer White.

INV RELL. brethren = Deacon
w Somers rose slowly to en-
phasize his words. The
whole matter may be summed up in a
moment. Brother Faxon is not a mon
ey raiser. We want new church. We
must secure a minister with youth and
push who can raise the money for the
church. 1 move you, therefore, that
the board Of trustees Of the First
congregational church of GAINESVILLE
ask for the resignation of brother, Fax
on. to be effective within a month"
The members of the board Of trustees
looked at each other in silent admira-
ton Of the man who voiced the
thoughts they, with more timid spirit
or more delicate feeling. had not dared
to put into words. For hours they had
skirmished around the subject. The
ultimatum Of deacon Somers, whose
voice was loudest in prayer, whose
head was clearest and soundest in the
business matters of the church, was a
relief to most of them.
One man, however, did not acquiesce
in the general murmur of assent that
greeted deacon Somers's resolution.
Dixon, the blacksmith, for whose con-
version the old parson had wrestled
nightly a score of years before, and
tradition of the town, scowled blankly
at the crisp words of Somers, the
church leader. and the deferential as
sents of the other trustees. When he
rose to his feet, and addressed the
chairman of the board, the other mem
bers gazed open-mouthed at him. for
his voice never had been heard in
board meeting before save TO vote
AYE" or no"
Mr. Chairman" he said, ct am a
rough man. I haven't the gift OF fine
speech like brother Somers here"-his
voice held a perceptfble sneer-"nor
his clear business brain. But I'm here
to say and back 1t up'-he looked at
his fists and some of the weaker breth
ren shrank timorously in their seats
that If we ask elder Faxon to resign
we're doing the orneriest most low
down thing that was ever done in this
town.
Suppose he isn't a money raiser.
what of It? 1 never knew before that
was what the Lord wanted his preach
ers for. I had an idea until brother
Somers learned me different just now,
that a preachers business was to save
souls and to comfort and take care Of
the members Of his church. I'd like TO
see the man who would dare to say the
elder haSn [ done IneSe Things.
The silence which followed was bro
ken by new voice-one which had the
unmistakable CULVER of age. It was the
voice of the pastor who had slipped
into the meeting from the door at the
side of the trustees room which con-
nected with the parsonage.
Brethren" he said, and at the word
IA shamefaced men lifted their eyes to
his. II know you will pardon my
breach of ethics in coming into your
committee meeting, for I have some
thing to say to you which 1 feel must
be said now. If 1 guess Alright, you
have already voted to ask me to resign.
Is it not so, brother Somers?"
Yes, II is" returned Somers sullenly
The old preacher heard with head
bent. Then he Strengthened himself
and looked into the eyes Of the men
facing him. There was militant air
about him.
IF needed the whisperings Of un-
regenerate impulses not yet dead in
me, though kept under by prayer and
fasting for 40 years, I would not stay
long enough to receive the letter re-
questing my resignation which you
are ready to hand me- he said with
flashing eyes But you have not
called me to this work. I did not call
myself I firmly believe that God has
entrusted me with this portion of his
vineyard, and 1 mean to keep to my
trust. I do not suppose you care
whether 1 or another raises the money