The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1917-07-19
An Important
Easter For the
Rev. John Redfield
BY EINoR MARSH

John Redheld left the theological
seminary full OF honors. but despond-
eut. His father had died insolvent,
and the support OF mother aud young
er brothers aud sisters deyolyed upon
the son.
John was about TO accept 0 business
position when he received through the
bishop an offer to deliver an Easter
sermon, with a fee OF $50. at the
church OF the Edmonson Manufnctur.
lug company. He was TO go up on
Sunday morning. 20 meet the presi.
dents car at the station.
John considered $50 very llbera.
fee for single sermon and conscien-
tIonsly determined TO do his best to
merit the money. lie was In sympa-
thy with the labor classes and had
done some work TO amelorate their
condition. He spent much time In
preparation. but wrote nothing since
he possessed the gift OF speaking ex.
temporaneonsly.
On Easter morning John made half
an hours journey 10 Edmonson and
On alightlng at the station saw only q
single vehicle waiting. car with a
girl Ia II. She was evidently looking
out for an arrival and. seelng u man
In clerical dress. beckoned to him.
when be Joined her she asked u be
was MFR. RedHcll and when be admit.
ted the fact said that she was Miss
chainnch The president OF the Ed
monson company hag been suddenly
chilled away. aud she had como 10 take
hlm 10 the homo OF her aunt. With
whom she liYed, whence she would
drive him 10 the CHURCH.
Redneld was conveyed TO hand.
some house in the principal residep.
tlal part OF tho town. where he spent
an hour before tue time for the church
service chatting With Miss chaltinch.
What connection she bad with tho Ed.
monson Manufacturing company was
not apparent, but. not liking 90 ask
her point blank what Il was. be re-
maincd In ignorance OF Il. Miss Chal-
finch was not as backward a. he In
asking questions aud learned from him
tht tVuuilVub NhAeh haNt eeta haea
Ear mentioned.
Rednold. seeing congregation or
working people looking earnestly up
at him Tor advice aud comfort. soon
warmed 10 his subject and preached a
heart 10 heart sermon 20 them. Miss
Cbainnch was seated among them and
seemed much pleased at the effect pro
duced upon the listeners. At the close
OF the service number OF men and
women gathered around John and en-.
gerly asked him II he was the new
rector. When he said he had only
come 60 preach the Easter sermon they
looked disappointed.
Meanwhile Miss Chalfnch was walt
ing FOR them 10 nnlsh their questions
aud when they had done 40 led John
out 20 the car aud drove him b her
home for dinner Her aunt and John
aud herself dlned together. and after
dinner the aunt retired 20 her room
Miss chalnnch spent the time before
John was 10 return 20 bis home chat
ting with him. aud the questions she
asked as 20 his affais. the require
ments OF his family and other matters
seemed somewhat lnquisitive 20 him
Finally she said that the church built
by the Edmonson company was as
yet without a pastor and asked him
how he would like the position. John
said that he bad weighed the subject
OF remaining In tue ministry aud had
decided that he could not afford 10 do
50. eucumbered as he was. He would
DO obliged In pastorate 10 start with
dlmlnutive SALARY. and. since bis
heart would be la the field of the poor.
he would not he likely 10 Increase IL
IL money were his object-and. eonsid-
ering his responsibilities. mOney ~as
an important matter with hln--it was
far better for him 20 enter business.
Miss Chalnnch agreed with him In
this. She said she believed the Edmon'
sou company was 10 pay the salary "I
the pastor OF the church aud that Il
was not TO DO over $500 year. She
expressed her appreciation OF this un-
less man could be secured who would
have marked effect for good on the
congregation "rhey are not well edu'
Gated" she added. "or used 10 relying
ON themselves, They require some one
10 lean on. and that person eau often
influence them TO action required foi
their welfare when some demagogue Is
trying TO persuade them TO the con
tTary. For my part ! believe that the
right man Ia the pastorate OF the
church would be a good Investment, Il
say nothing Of other considerations
Redmond was much impressed with
this opinion. but made no rejoinder
Taking out his watch, he remarked
that Il was nearly bis train time
"Would you accept 5000 a year anc
rectory frcey' asked Miss Chalhnch
Would | accept the sky for a pas
turei" replied John, smiling.
II have asked you a question, aud
think 1 am entitled 90 a reply"
In that case 1 assure you that
would accept 5000 a year with grea
pleasure"
VERY well. Consider yourself calles
a