Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-09-17
when The Elder STOOD PAT
**A BY NJ. c. Wilson. " 80

"s+ BY N. c. Wilson. -"
"Well, brethren"-Deacon Somers
rose slowly to emphasize his words
"the matter may be summed up in mo-
ment. Brother Faxon is not money
raiser. We want a new church. We
must secure a minister with youth and
push who can raise the money for the
church. move you therefore that the
board Of trustees of the First Congre.
gational church Of Janesville ask fol
i the resignation Of Brother Faxon, to
be effective within a month"
The members Of the board of trus-
tees looked at each other in silent ad-
miration 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 ul-
timatum 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 Somer's resolution
Dixon, the blacksmith, for whose con-
version the old pastor had wrestled
nightly a score Of years before, and
whose unregenerate days were still q
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 en-mouthed at him, for
his voice never had been heard in a
board meeting before, save to vote
AYE" or no"
"Mr Chairman" he said, Il am a
rough man. haven't the gift Of fine
speech like Brother Somers here"-his
voice held a perceptible 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-
rem 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't done those things"
The silence which followed was bro
ken by q new voice-one which had
the unmistakable quaver of age. II
was the voice Of the pastor, who had
slipped into the meeting from the door
at the side of the trustees room which
connected with the parsonage.
Brethren" he said, and at the word
fourteen shame-faced men lifted their
eyes to his, II know you will pardon
my breach Of ethics in coming into
your committee meeting, for I have
something to say to you which I feel
must be said now. II guess Alright
you have already voted to ask me to
resign. Is it not so, Brother Somers?
"Yes, it is," returned Somers sullen-
ly.
The old preacher heard with head
bent. Then he Strengthened himself
and looked into the eyes Of the men
facing him. There was a militant air
about him.
IF I needed the whisperings Of un-
regenerate impulses not yet dead in me-
though kept under by prayer and fast.
ing for forty 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 flash
ing eyes. But you have not called me
to this work here, did not call my
self. / firmly believe that God has en-
trusted me with this portion Of His
vineyard, and mean to keep to my
trust. I do not suppose you care wheth-
er I or another raises the money for
the new church. win make a propo-
sition to you. You know that while my
means are small, yet I am not depend
ent upon the salary you pay. 1t will
mean retrenchment and privation, but
will serve the church without salary
until the new church Is built.I could
not accept any more money from you
and will engage to raise the money
for the church within year or give up
the pastorate. I leave the proposition
with you. I thank Brother Dixon for
his warm defense, and request that he
be the one delegated to bring me the
news Of your decision"
Il think you are crazy" was the first
comment Of his wife when he detailed to
her his speech to the trustees. mot
that I mind about the salary, you know
that, william. 1 feel about that just
as you do. I couldn't eat a mouthful
bought with the money Of Somers and
lndt CTOWu, duQ WtH SSl dioh6 ooiiiS
way. But where In the world are you
going to raise money for that church
And II you fail, it will make you feel
just that much worse a year from
now"
1.-The Lord will provide" said her
husband with the touch Of belief so
er-worldly in its childlike SINGER
ity that his practical little wife had
always been awed by it.
He took the daily newspaper and
sat down by the window to read as
calmly as II there were no session of
his trustees in the next room. But his
calmness vanished a few moments la
ter when he sprang to his feet and
waved the paper over his head like a
boy.
I've got it," he shouted! 1--WE got
It,"
Got what?" demanded his wife.
1.-The church." he returned. mo,
I'm not going to tell you. If I succeed
I'll tell you. If fail, / never will"
He was interrupted by rap at the