The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1917-09-15
An Important
Easter For the
Rev. John Red6eld
b. EllNoR MARSH

snt. His father had died insOlvent.
aud the support OF mother aud young
er brothers and sisters dsv0ived upon
tho sOn.
John was about to accept y 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. He was to 70 up on
Sunday morning, to meet tho presi
dents car at the station.
John considered $50 q very liberal
foo for single sermon aud conscien-
tiously determined to do his best to
merit the money. He was In sympa-
done some work to amellorate their
condition. He spent much time In
preparation, but wrote nothing, since
he possessed the gift Of speaking ex.
tempOraneOusly.
On Easter morning John made half
an hours journey to Edmonson and
on alighting at tho station saw only a
single vehicle waiting. 4 car with
girl In 1t. She was evidently looking
out for an arrival and. seeing q man
In clerical dress. beckoned to him.
When he Joined her she asked II be
was Mir. RedHeld and when be admit.
ted the fact said that she was Miss
Chalhnch. The president OF the Ed
monson company had been suddenly
called away. and she had come to take
him 10 the home Of her aunt, with
sVh -LA -.
drive him to the church.
Redaeld was conveyed to q 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 chainnch.
What connection she had with the Ed
monson Manufacturing company was
not apparent: but, not liking to ask
her point blank what II was. 10 re-
mained In ignorance Of It. Miss Chal-
tnch was not a. backward a. be In
asking questions and learned from him
the conditions which have been thus
far mentioned.
RedAeid, seeing q 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
Chaldnch was seated among them aud
seemed much pleased at the effect pro
duced upon the listeners- At the close
Of the service Ruinber OF men and
women gathered around John and Ca
gerly asked him II he was the new
rector. When he said he had only
come to preach the Easter sermon they
looked disappointed.
Meanwhile Miss Chalnnch was walt
Ing for them to dnish their questions
and when they had done 90 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 Chalnnch spent the time before
John was to return to bis homo chat
ting with him. and the questions abe
asked as to his affairs. the require
ments OF his family and other matters
seemed somewhat inQuisltivs to him,
Finally she said that the church built
by the Edmonson company was a.
yet without q pastor and asked him
how be would like the position. John
said that he had weighed the subject
Of remaining In the ministry and bad
decided that be could not afford to do
10. encumbered ~ he was- He would
be Obliged In = pastorate to start with
diminutive salary. and, since his
heart would be In the deld OF the poor.
he would not be likely to increase II.
II money were bis object-and, consid.
ering his responsibilities. money was
an important matter with HINT was
far better for him to enter business.
Miss Chaihnch agreed with him iE
this. She said she believed the Edmon-
son company was to pay the salary Of
the pastor Of the church aud that II
was not to be 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. 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 u
trying to persuade them to the con-
trary, For my part, believe that the
right man In the pastorate Of the
church would be \ 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 It was nearly his train time.
Would you accept 5000 year and
rectory free?" asked Miss Chalfnch.
Would l accept the sky for q pas
ture?" replied John. smiling.
Il have asked you = question. and I
think I am entitled to q reply
I'm that case l assure you that l
would accept 5000 year with great
pleasure"
Very we'll Consider yourself called
to the pastorats Of the Edmonson
church"
Nm k.r . -