New Britain herald., 1927-10-15
WHEN THE PASTOR
 SAYS GOOD NIGHT
Must Be Diplomat, Mind Reader
 and Patient
The service was over.


 The F. R. otherwise known as "erstwhile reporter" remained in the ofting. "Offing," ofttimos is usel 10 mean proximity. According to Webster 1t means Fin deep water without . pilot" Either explana- ton may be accepted here.
 The offing in this case was i'm meliately in the rear Of the min ister.
 He Is a conscientious minister and likes hs people He also is popu- lar and his people like him. There fore it hchooved him 10 be at the door and offer the glad hand of Christian fellowship to the members IS they passed out.
 His diplomacy and courtesy un- der circumstances which time and again threatened to embarrass him, and which would make any man ab- Sent-minded, were q revelation to he E. R,
 Good evening, Mrs. So and So. How is your husband this evening @' he !nuuired as q middle aged Wom- an took his outstretched hand. For two or three minutes he was forced 70 listen to reasons why the unrc- generate hubby would not go to church on a week night while 150 people stood in line waiting for q chance to shake hands with the pas- tor and 20 home to bed.
 How do you do, sister," was the greeting to a woman, whose name he had temporarily forgotten. She beamed at the sister" and failed TO notice that her name was not mentioned.
 Why. hello, Mrs. Such and Such, How did you like the mecting?' as 4 stately woman with q stranger, also Of the fair sex. stopped 10 greet him. The minister was grant ed an introduction to the visiting young woman, and again the line waited patiently (almosD while IF minister tactfully sped the parting guests with as much eXpcdioncy as extreme courtesy would permit.
 Flows your husbands rhcuma- -ism ?" was the query which met an- other woman. As she stopped to tell her spouse's farorite symptoms, q man. who is prominently identified with various activities in the church iunatient at the delay, tried Sto sneak out In back Of the munster and was caught Hey, George Fictitious name), you old rascal where arc you going?' and shame facedly. George returned for the handshake.
 And thus they went, one after another getting real pleasure out oi grasping the minister by his right hand, and the minister getting thrill such as only ministers, poll ticians. walking delegates. distric governors Of civic clu}I aGd lodgc organizers can get out Of tho grip.
 The last man and woman had le: the meeting place. But small group remained around the lobby. The !. F. began to wonder when he va! going 10 get a chance 10 interview inc lllTlSLel dllt Sp IlNIl'' " '''' he'd. The minister, probably won dered when he too was going to ge away. r he did. he never shoTer it. He left one group. only to b' stopped by another. Others were waiting. Father confcssor of hi! flock, he was the willing and vel come recipient of their trials anC troubles. To all he gave sym pathetic ear and smiling and op timistic advice.
 When I was janitor," said ar elderly man, holding towards th' stragclers. "I started to turn out thu lights. Then they went homo.'
 Pretty soon the regular ianito began 70 turn off the lights, Th' remaining few of the congregation went out. Then the other churc' workers went out. Finally more o the lights went out. Making q hur ried appointment with the mi,ist" for the next day, the sleepy F. F also went out.
 Eventually. if is believed even th