The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-04-25
An Important
Easter For the
Rev. John Redfield|
By ELINOR MARSH

and the support of mother anu young
er brothers and sisters devolyed upon
the son.
John was about to accept business
position when he received through the
bishop an offer to deliver an Easter
sermon, with fee of $50. at the
church of the Edmonson Manufactur-
ing company lie was to 90 up on
Sunday morning. to meet the presi
dents car at the station.
John considered $50 a very liberal
fee for a single sermon and consclen-
tiously determined TO do his best 10
merit the money. He was in sympa-
thy with the labor classes and had
done some work 10 ameliorate their
condition. lie spent much time IN
preparation, but wrote nothing, since
be possessed the gift of speaking ex-
temporaneously.
On Easter morning John made half
an hours journey to Edmonson and
on alighting at the station saw only a
single vehicle waiting, a car with a
girl in it, She was evidently looking
out for an arrival and, seeing a man
in clerical dress, bcckoncd to him.
When lie joined her she asked if he
was Mr. l;edticld and when he admit
ted the fact said that she was Miss
Chaltnch. The president of the Ed
monson company had been suddenly
called away. and She had come to take
him to the home of her aunt, with
whom She lived, whence She would
drive him TO the church.
Redticld was conveyed to hand
some house in the principal residen-
tial part of the town, where he spent
an hour before the time for the church
service chatting with Miss Chalfinch.
What connection she had with the Ed
monson Manufacturing company was
not apparent; but, not liking to ask
her point blank what it was, he re-
mained in ignorance Of 1t. Miss Chal-
finch was not as backward as he In
asking questions and learned from him
the conditions which have been thus
far mentioned.
Redfeld. seeing congregation of
working people looking earnestly up
at him for advice and comfort, soon
warmed to his subject and preached
heart to heart sermon to them. Miss
Chalfinch was seated among them and
seemed much pleased at the effect pro-
duced upon the listeners. At the close
of the service a number of men and
women gathered around John and ca
gerly asked him if he was the new
rector. When he said he had only
come to preach the Easter sermon they
looked disappointed.
Meanwhile Miss Chalfnch was wait
liig for them to finish their questions
and when they had done so led John
out to the car and drove him to her
home for dinner. Her aunt and John
and herself dined together, and after
dinner the aunt retired to her room.
Miss Chalfinch spent the time before
John was to return TO his home chat
ting with him, and the questions she
asked as to his affairs, the require
ments of his family and other matters
seemed somewhat inqusitive to him.
Finally she said that the church built
by the Edmonson' company was as
yet without pastor and asked him
how he would like the position. John
said that he had weighed the subject
of remaining in the ministry and had
decided that he could not afford to do
so, encountered as he was. He would
be obliged in a pastorate to start with
a diminutive salary, and, since his
heart would be in the field Of the poor.
he would not be likely to increase ii.
If money were his object-and. consid.
ering his responsibilities. money was
an important matter with him-it was
far better for him to enter business.
Miss Chaliinch agreed with him In
this. She said she believed the Edmon-
son company was TO pay the salary of
the pastor of the church and that II
was not to be over $500 a wear. She
expressed her appreciation of this un-
less man could be secured who would
have marked effect for good on the
They are not well edu.
Gated" she added. "or used to relying
on themselves. They require some one
to lean on, and that person can often
influence them to action required for
their welfare when some demagogue Is
trying to persuade them to the con-
trary. For my part, believe that the
right man in the pastorate of the
church would be a good investment. to
say nothing of other considerations.
Redmond was much impressed with
this opinion. but made no rejoinder
Taking out his watch. he remarked
that 1t was nearly his train time.
Would you accept 5000 year and
a rectory free?' asked Miss Chalfincb
Would | accept the sky for a pas.
ture?" replied John. smiling.
Il have asked you a question. and
think | am entitled to a reply"
"ln that case l assure you that |
would accept 5000 year with great
pleasure"
Very well. Consider yourself called
10 the pastorate OF the Edmonson
{ hurch."
John looked at her. wondering if she
mad gone daft.
My father owned nearly oil A.