Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-25

II
Halseyvflie experienced great difficulty
in returning a minister.
Indirectly the small salary was the
cause Of the trouble. It was but $500
q year. and no man could be found to
accept 1t except some recent graduate
Just beginning his life work. These
young men were ali bachelors. There
was a girl in the congregation, Miss
Beatrfx Severance, daughter of the
managing deacon, who as soon as a
young man fresh from a theological
seminary took up the duties Of pastor
began to weave about him a spell. he
would gradually become devoted, then
on one pretext or another would hand
in his resignation and leave for anoth-
er field.
A few of the parishioners who were
in the secret advocated securing ncar-
ried man for pastor. Acting on the sug-
gestion, they called" a man with
wife and six children. But the salary
was SO small that the more prosperous
members of the congregation were con-
tinually compelled to put their hands in
their pockets to help the family out
Fairs and donation parties were resort
came weary of the business. The pas
tor secured call with higher salary,
and the First church returned to the
old system of having a bachelor to ill
the pulpit.
When the Rev. Thomas Ridgely, I'M
married, stepped into the pulpit vacat-
ed by the pastor with family, none of
the congregation except a committee
who had been sent to hear him preach
had seen him. As he stepped forward
to begin the service a few of those who
understood the cause of the frequent
designations of the church's pastors
looked at one another meaningly. He
had fiery red hair and enormous joints,
while his complexion was a freckled
brown. If these persons had spoken
their thoughts they would have said,
AT last we have a man whom Trix
Severance will let alone"
Beatrix, who was in her accustomed
seat in her fathers pew looking up at
the minister, was Of the same opinion.
However, when he sent his first word
rolling over the congregation 1t was
like the lower notes Of the organ.
There was scarcely a member Of the
congregation but admitted that Mr..
Ridgely possessed a resonant voice.
1t seemed not to make any difference
whether he raised it or lowered 1t,
the effect was the same. When he
spoke in those tones that are intended
to be impressive, but are usually in
audible, his most subdued note could
be distinctly heard in every part Of
the house.
But when Mr.. RidgeIy began his
sermon it was evident that his voice
was not his principal attraction. There
was a depth as well as a fervor in
everything he said that went both
to the understanding and the heart
For the first time in years the congre-
cation of the First church realized
that they We're under a powerful influ-
ence. They listened, every eye and
ear intent upon him, till he had finish
ed; then a murmur of satisfaction
broke the stiffness
When the sermon was over and the
were passing out of the
church the hum of conversation was
about the new pastor. Where
did the committee pick him up?"
what does it mean that such a man
will accept our little salary?" He'll
be called somewhere else within a few
These were some of the
made, and all were encomi-
ums on Mr.. Ridgely. But there were
q few, a select few, who looked at the
matter from a different point of view.
With them the question was, How
world Beatrlx Severance stand in the
matter. or would the clergyman be
driven away by her as the other
bachelors had been?
What were Miss Severance's thoughts
DR. intentions no one knew, for she
kept them to her own sweet self. !
Every Sunday she attended service. at
east once, and sat listening to the !
,lergyman's words without betraying |
" her expression an interest in him
Nevertheless the congre- |
cations soon noticed that she WAS |
Weaving the same spell over him she |
lad thrown about the others. |
Then low murmuring began to be i
heard against the girl. who. it was to
,e inferred, would drive out this gifted |
nan. They had failed to find fault
With her in the other cases. for the !
nen were not talented and could easily
,e replaced. But here was a wonder
Who. when they lost him. could not be
eplaced. Indeed, there was not a
member of the congregation but feared
hat at any moment he would receive q
all elsewhere at a far higher salary
han they were paying or could afford
o pay him. Should Trixie Severance !
'e allowed to deprive them of their
rize?
An informal meeting of those who
nt9rstood the matter was held Mt the
ouse of Mrs. Deacon SLOVENIAN,
therein 1t was discussed. and the re-
uit of the conference was that the
eaconess should request her husband
, go to Deacon Severance and ask him
, warn his daughter to keep hands or
ne new minister. Deacon Stoneman
allied on Deacon Severance. and the
wo were cfoseted together for the | .
pace Of half I'M hour. Then the visitor