The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1917-03-29
An Important
Easter For the
Rev. John Redfield
By ELlNOR MARSH


the son.
John was about to accept Z 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 Manufacture
ing company. He was to so 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 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 gilt CT speaking eX-
temporaneOuSly.
On Easter morning John made half
an hours journey to Edmonson ana
on alighting at the station saw only
single vehicle waiting, a car with a
girl in it. She was evidently looking
out for an arrival and. seeing man
in clerical dress, becbOned to him.
When he joined her she asked if he
was Mr.. Redfield and when he admit
ted the fact said that shn was Miss
Challinch. The president of the Ed
mons0n 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.
Redfald 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 Chalfnch.
What connection she had with the Ed
mons0n Manufacturing company was
not apparent; but, not liking to ask
her point blank what it was, he re-
manned u ignorance Of it. Miss Chal-
finch was not as backward as he in
asking questions and learned from him
the conditions which have been thus
far mentioned.
ReddcId seeing CONGREGATION of
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 lie said he had only
come to preach the Easter sermon they
looked disappointed.
Meanwhile Miss CbaIfnch vos wait
inc for them 70 finish tbnir Questions
and whom thor had dono ca Iod Tohn
out to the car and drove him 70 her
homo for dinner. Her aunt and John
and herself dined together. and after
dinner the aunt retired to her room.
Miss Chalfpch spent the time before
John was to return TO his home chat
TING with him. and the questions She
asked as to his affairs tho rrouire-
ments of his family and other matters
seemed somewhat ipduisitfyp TO him
Finally she said that the church buiIr
by the Edmonson compauy was as
teC without q M StDr and asked him
how he would like the rosftion John
said that he had weighed the subject
Of remaining in the ministry and had
decided that he could nor afford TO do
so. encountered rs he was. lie VorIG
be OBLIGED in Il r9Storate To start with
a diminutive salary. and since his
heart would be in the field Of the moor.
lie would not be likely to increase if.
If money were his obiect-and consfd-
ering his RESPONSIBILITIES. money was
an important matter with hint was
far better for him to enter business.
Miss Cbalfucb agreed with him i'm
This She said she believed the Fdmop-
con oor,non,. was 70 nav tho coIo,.,- of
+bo naetor If tbn cburcb and that II
was NOT +o no over $500 q wear. She
ovnrasead hor annrohation Of this nm
less man could be secured who would
have a marked effect for good on the
conoraoo+ion .Tbnv arc NOT we'll edu-
Gated" she added "or used 70 relying
on themselves. They reouire some one
TO lean on and that person can often
Influence them 70 action required for
their welfare when some demacogue is