Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 February 1910 — FOR HIS FRIEND. [ARTICLE]

FOR HIS FRIEND.

Many stories are told of the way In which a certain Parson Adams of Lunenburg, well known in the first half of the last century, attended to matters which he decided were in need of, summary treatment. On one or two occasions, at least, hia aibtion was not limited to his own parish. One amusing instance of this sort occurred oneSunday, when he exchanged pulpits with a friend who presided over a well-to-do but somewhat careless congregation in a neighboring town. This friend, who was one of the meekest and most long-suffering men imaginable, told Parson Adams, wlttfc much mortification, that there were one or two things about the church, which sadly needed attention, but that although he knew his parishioners meant well, these matters seemed to slip their minds from week to week. “The window behind the pulpit is sadly in want of repair," the gentleminister explained, “and so is the pulpit cushion, In which there Is a larga hole. I mention these matters so that you may be saved annoyance. I hav& learned to stand at one side to avoid the draft from the broken window,, and I refrain from bringing any forceto bear upon the pulpit cushion.” Parson Adams looked at his friend Indulgently, but made no rash promises, simply saying that he had no doubt he should get along all right. On mounting to the pulpit in his friend’s church the next day, however,, he proceeded to electrify the congregation by taking several handfuls of rags out of a piece-bag which he carried with him and deliberately stuffing, them Into the broken panes of the unsightly window. Then proceded calmly with theservice, but when he began his sermon it soon became evident that the pulpit cushion was by no means to be spared at his hands. In some way or other the largest hole in the cushion was worked round until it was well to ths front, and after that, each of three emphatic thumps from Parson Adams’ vigorous hands, as he expounded his Ideas, sent a shower of feathers floating down over the heads of the deacons and their families In the front pews. The next Sunday, when the gentleparson resumed his charge, there were no broken panes in the window behind him, and the pulpit cushion had a brave new cover.