The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1918-09-13

The following article appeared in thu
Christian Advocate! of Nashville, Ten
nessee, dated October s, 1917. 1t wa'
contributed by Rev. II. o. Chamber.
while he was pastor of the church a
Fairfield Alabama. Some time ago WI
requested permission from him to pub
lish the article. We believe 1t will b,
enjoyed by many people who will rec
ognize 1t fits more communities thar
the one:
This is quite remarkable" unused
quite remarkable. 1t was Sunday
morning / had just entered my pull
pit and it yet lacked five minutes OF
eleven. At this time a considerable
congregation had assembled 1t grew
until by eleven o'clock the house was
filled. loked over the congregation
/ saw the faces of members who had
not been to church before during my
two years ministry.
Things are improving" remarked
inwardly Just look at all these folks
here and see, too, how interested they
are in each other" For they We're
with one accord, conversing with their
neighbors / noticed also how ever and
anon some one looked at me,
"They are thinking how this unus-
ually large congregation pleases me.
thought l. "Ah! after all, my work
has produced some fruit"
The organist played the voluntary
/ began to announce a hymn, when
was interrupted The leading steward
arose and said: Brother Pastor, you
will please pardon me: but before 60
ing further into this service, there is
: matter which we desire to discuss. 1t
win require only few minutes.
have been asked to preside"
/ thought this rather unusual. but
decided that Annual Conference is on
ly two weeks akay. 1t is quite prob
able that my men want to try to raise
some of that back salary"
Brother Steward took the chair.
.'will some one state the object of this
meeting?" he said.
Brother Secretary Steward arose and
said. "only two weeks separate us
from Conference"
quite right" / remarked to myself;
"and the claims are still short. This is
a good crowd and some are here who
haven't paid one cent since 1 have been
pastor I'll just take collection this
morning."
But Brother Secretary Steward is
speaking: "Only two weeks separate
us from Annual Conference. Most OF
us have decided to ask DR.. Presiding
Elder not to return Brother Pastor.
We want to do the right thing, and SO
we want Brother Pastor to know what
we are. doing"
'My!" thought, what have l done
now?"
I'VE have a specific charge against
Brother Pastor. In the last two
months Brother Pastor has failed on
four occasions to attend Sunday morn
ing service. The congregation as
sembled but waited in vain for him to
appear. No apology or explanation
has been offered. We feel that he has
been neglectful of duty and that we
could not afford to retain such a man
as our pastor"
But, Brethren" / managed to say
as l stumbled to my feet
"Just wait a minute" said Brother
Secretary Steward Then looking at
me he said: Were you not absent
from church the first Sunday in Aug
ust?"
Il was"
why were you away when you knew
that the hour for service had arrived?"
/ regained my calm. l smiled in
Wardly. l said to myself: l have them
now all right well, you will remem-
Der that the first Sunday in August
was an especially hot day. ! came to
Sunday school then went home. took