Year: 1871




witty divine Of that denomination was serving
his second year in country town in New Eng
land. 1t was rather remarkable in those days
for the conference to send the same minister two
successive years to the same church, especially
In a country town but it was done in this in
stance, and it seemed to be entirely satisfactory
to all concerned The clergyman enjoyed the
confidence and love of his own church and par
ish, and he had, by his piety and fidelity to the
cause of Christ, won the respect of all good peo-
pie who knew him, outside of his own parish.
SO the other two churches-Congregation
and Baptist-bad begun to manifest tolerance
toward him and his church, quite unusual for
them.


About Thanksgiving time regular attendant
of the Baptist church died +; the Baptist minister
was sick and the Congregational minister was
out of town. Under these circumstances it was
decided to invite the Methodist minister to con-
duct the funeral exercises. The invitation was
accepted, and at the proper time the good cler
gyman started for the house Of mourning. lie
had some four miles to travel on foot, and to
save distance left the road and went across the
fields and through woods. Near this by-way
where he was travelling there lived an old lady
member Of his church. AS he was SO near he
thought he would call for a moment. The old
lady did not go to church very often it was so
far from her home, and she was lame, too she
was, therefore, of course, oyerjoyed to see her
minister, and what he had intended to oe mo-
mentary call was prolonged into quite visit, in
spite of his efforts to get away.


The old lady was making sausages when he
called. AT last he told her he must co. and she
said he must wait minute while she put up
mess of sausages for him to carry home with
hm-enough for his family's dinner. He tried
TO explain to her the improperly of her plan
der the circumstances, but she was inexorable
take the sausages he must, and she could fix
them so there would be no inconvenience to him,
and the matter need not come 10 the knowledge
of any one else


The sausages were neatly done up in white
cloth and snugly pinned-two parcels-and put
in the pockets of his swallow tailed coat behind
parcel in each pocket.


Then he hurried away. She did not imagine
what shame, notification and sorrow OF heart
this act would cause her pastor and he, in his
bury to make up lost time little dreamed what
awaited him in consequence of the old lady
gift.


When he arrived at the house of the deceased,
pc found large company waiting. The neigh
boring farmers from far and near had assembled
to pay their tribute of respect, and perform the
lost dofEc hot Twin f,r
the dead. Some had come in carriages and
their horses were litched to the surrounding
trees, fences and posts. They had allowed their
dogs to follow them There was large gather
Ing of men and boys about the yard door, wait
ing for the preacher who was late the women
mad mostly gone inside, and the dogs were ex-
changing civilities or incivilities, in true dog
style, as they happened to take liking or dis
liking to each other-trotting about with their
tails rolled up in rigid coils, scratching the
ground aside at times, causing the dust to fly,
and casting approving glances or uttering low
growls of warning, according they felt
towards each other, When the minister arrived
be was recognized, shook hands with such as he
was acquainted with, and was introduced to 9TH
ers. He had hurried to get there in time, got
heated up, and warmed up the sausages in his
pockets. They were very savory, and were
emitting a fragrance that soon came in contact
with the olfactory nerves of the hungry dogs.
The latter left off their attentions to each other
and began to snuff for the source of the pleasant
cdoF, which they highly appreciated and they
soon traced it to the minister, They clustered
about him in very friendly manner, but no no.
tice taken of them and when he went into
the house, they went too.


prayer was offered at the residence, during
which the dogs smelt out the Whereabouts of the
saYory meat exactly, and in the doing of this
they greatly annoyed the minister, and caused
his cheeks to burn and his heart to ache. After
the prayer the corpse was carried to the church,
which was pear by, and thither the whole com
pany followed, where the services were to be
protracted. The dogs went too and soon after
the minister took his place in the pulpit they be-
gan to skirmisl around his coat pockets. Ifit
had been anywhere except in church, or on
any occasion but a funeral the dogs would have
been cudgecd and sent bowling away; but as
it was, no one wished to disturb the quiet sane
lity Of the place by the yelping of dogs. They
seemed to comprehend the situation, and made
the most Of it, They went up into the pulpit-a
single one at time-two or three at time,
Sometimes two companions would meet coming
from opposite sides of the pulpit, but all center
ing behind the minister, whose only means of
defence was in kicking out behind at them, by
guess; but the dogs were wary, good at dodging
end none got hit.


Thus the 4rvices went on. The mental an
guish of the 6od minister cannot be described /;
but there was no alternatiye-he must proceed
as best be could. At last, to bis great relief, he