Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 July 1907 — Not His Province. [ARTICLE]

Not His Province.

The New r England ministers of early days were expected to preserve an aspect grave to the verge of solemnity on all occasions, not only on Sundays, but week days as well. If they possessed a sense of humor It sometimes made itself evident even In the midst of devotional exercises. One New Hampshire parish was guarded and guided by a quaint speaking elderly man who had a slight lisp. He was fond of outdoor work of almost every sort and was an able farmer as well as preacher, but all domestic matters he relegated to his wife. One day the old traveling baker, seeing the minister at work in the field, drew rein, and when the jingling of his horse’s bells had subsided he called •cut, “Any crackers wanted today, parson?” The minister raised his head and surveyed the baker from under his shaggy eyebrows. No smile of greeting crossed his solemn face. “Abraham in the field,” be responded gravely. “Tharah (Sarah) In the tent,” ahd wlthouV/another word he resumed his hoeing and left the baker to digest his Biblical reproof and drive on to the house to find out if “Sarah” would buy uny of his wares.