Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1917-03-29
An Important
Easter For the
Rev. John Redfield
By ELINoR MARSH

UcAfAA0Ay Aul1 VI uOuOIS, UuL UcSpOuU.
emit His father had died insolvent,
and the support Of a mother and young
er brothers and sisters devolved upon
theSson.
John was about to accept 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 Manufactur-
ing company. He was to go up on
Sunday morning, to meet the presi-
dents car at the station.
John considered $50 very liberal
fee for 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
single vehicle waiting, a car with
girl in it. She was evidently looking
out for an arrival and, seeing man
in clerical dress, beckoned to him
When he joined her she asked if he
was Mr.. Redfeld and when he admit
ted the fact said that she was Miss
Chalfnch. 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.
Redtield was conveyed to hand
some house in the principal residen-
tial part of the town, where lie spent
an hour before the time for the church
service chatting with Miss Chalfnch.
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-
NAMED in ignorance of it. Miss Chal-
finch vas not as backward as he in
asking questions and learned from him
the conditions which have been thus
far mentioned.
AkCoACAos SCCl1lS d SOl1SlCSdIlOA VI
working people looking earnestly up
at him for advice and comfort, soon
warmed to his subject and preached a
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 if he was the new
rector. When he said he had only
come to preach the Easter sermon they
looked disappointed.
Meanwhile Miss Chalfinch was wait
ing 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 Chalfnch 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 inquisitiye 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 pastorate to start with
diminutive salary, and, since his
heart would be in the field of the poor.
he would not be likely to increase it.
If money were his object-and. consid-
ering his responsibilities, money was
an important matter with hint was
far better for him to enter business.
Miss Chalfnch 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 it
was not to he over $500 year. She
expressed her appreciation of this I'M
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 is
tying to persuade them to the con.
trary. For my part, believe that the
right man in the passionate 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 $1,000 year and
a rectory free?" asked Miss Chaltnch
Would | accept the sky for a pas.
ture?" replied John, smiling.
II have asked you question, and
think am entitled to reply"
I'm that case assure you that
would accept $1,000 year with great
pleasure"
Very well. Consider yourself called
tn thn to ~ ho