The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-04-07
An Important
Easter For the
Rev. John Redfield
BY ELINOR MARSH

seminary full of honors, but despond
and the support of mother and young
er brothers and sisters devolved upoI
the son.
John was about to accept business
position when he received through th,
bishop an offer to deliver an Eastel
sermon. with fee Of $50, at the
church of the Edmonson Manufactur
ing company. He was to go up or
Sunday morning, to meet the presi
dents car at the station.
John considered $50 a very liberia
fee for a single sermon and conscien
tiously determined to do his best to
merit the money. He was In sympa.
thy with the labor classes and had
done some work to ameliorate 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 the station saw only a
single vehicle waiting. a car with a
girl In 1t. She was evidently looking
out for an arrival and, seeing a man
In clerical dress, beckoned to him
When he Joined her she asked II he
was Mr.. Redfeld aud when he admit
ted the fact said that she was Miss
Chalfinch. 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.
Red6eld 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 Chaltlnch.
What connection she had with the Ed
monson Manufacturing company was
not apparent; but, not liking to ask
her point blank what 1t was, he re-
manned 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
Chalfnch 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 II he was the new |
rector. When he said he had only |
come to preach the Easter sermon they
looked disappointed.
Meanwhile Miss Chalinch was wait
ing for them to finish their questions
and when they had done so led John
,ut to the car and drove him to her
home for dinner. Her aunt and John
ind herself dIned together. and after
Inner the aunt retired to her room,
Miss Chaltinch spent the time before
John was to return to his home chat
ing with him. and the questions she
nents of his family and other matters
seemed somewhat inquisitive to him.
Finally she said that the church built
~ the Edmonson company was as
ret without pastor and asked him
low he would like the position. John
laid that he had weighed the subject
II remaining In the ministry and had
lecided that he could not afford to do
10. encountered as he was. He would
,e obliged In a pastorate to start with
diminutive salary. and, since his
Ieart would be In the field OF the poor.
lie would not be likely to increase it
+ money we've his object-and. consid-
ring his responsibilities. money was ,
n important matter with HINT was
ar better for him to enter business.
Miss Chalfnch agreed with him in
his She said she believed the Edmon-
on company was to pay the salary of
be pastor of the church and that II
vas not TO be over $500 a year. She
expressed her approbat ton of this I'M
,ss man could be secured who would
They are not well edu-
lted." she added. ''or used to relying
a themselves. They require some one
D lean on and that person can often
lfuence them to action required for !.
heir welfare when some demagogue Is
wing to persuade them to the con- :
airy. For my part. | believe that the !
ght man in the passionate of the
hurch would be good investment, to I
~ nothing of other considerations" i
Redmond was much impressed with r
lis opinion. but made no rejoinder.
aking out his watch. be remarked t
lat 1t was nearly his train time. e
Would you accept 5000 a year and :
rectory free?" asked Miss Chalfnch.
Would accept the sky for a pas
Ire" replied John. smiling.
II have asked you a question, and l
link / am entitled to reply"
I'm that case / assure you that
ouId accept $1,000 year with great
easure-"
Very well. Consider yourself called
the pastorate of the Edmonson
lurch."
John looked at her. wondering If she
ID gone daft.
My father owned nearly all the
ock of the Edmonson company and
# It TO me in his will. / can do what
Ike with the property. but have never
terfered in its management except