isa-normaladvance-1903-00107

Description:	THE NORMAL ADVANCE.107The Doctrine of Predestination.Brother Cantlow, Deacon Weathers leanedback with the full assurance of a two-hundred-fifty-a-year subscription member, Im sure youwill take kindly to a few suggestions—mere suggestions, you understand. He smiled complacentlyand the shrewd wrinkle around his half closed eyesdeepened. That was a fair beginning he thoughtand he fingered his fob approvingly.I hope so, quietly rejoined the pastor, I amglad, to receive helpful suggestions and it has always been my desire to serve you well.Yes—yes—Im sure—I told Brother Cole, howaved his hand depreciatingly—that you wouldbe reasonable. Now as for me, Im satisfied—hepaused and glanced inquiringly at the minister whobowed his acknowledgement of the honor,—butyou know Brother Cole is great on doctrine. Giveme sound truth, says he. Says I, Give me thetruth, but give me a preacher that is a drawingcard. He paused long enough for the compliment to have weight. For how can you convictunless you first get them there? The Deaconwaxed eloquent as he remembered his argumentative ability he even went so far as to withdraw histhumb from his buttonhole and lean forward. Thepastor still looked inquiringly at him and he continued. Yes, I said, when have we ever hadsuch crowds, and when did the brethren ever payup as well ? and thats when a religion counts—when it goes as far as a mans pocketbook. liehad plainly delivered himself of his climax and itcalled for a reply. It certainly indicates much,responded the pastor as he leaned his head uponhis hand and looked out of the study window.Exactly—I knew youd see it as I do, but DeaconCole is rather set in his views. He dont like thenew-fangled ways, he says. Give me doctrine,says he. Now Im with you, Im for progress, butit is best to conciliate, conciliation is the basis ofunity. The vest swelled perceptibly. Now,while I feel you are on the right track—you understand I am not voicing raj own opinions,—if youwould preach a good, sound sermon on doctrine,say on Predestination, just to show them you can —he leaned forward and the shrewd wrinklesdeepened as his diplomacy unfolded itself,—asermon strong enough to satisfy the brethren andgarnished up enough to please the crowd, a sort ofcombination affair if you would do that, it wouldfix matters all around. He-leaned forward confidentially and waited for the reply of the pastorwho still gazed out of the window.Finally he turned and, looking at DeaconWeathers, asked in a quiet voice And the brethren are dissatisfied and have instructed you to present the complaint?The Deacon moved uncomfortably. No—0,no !—not exactly that—only—I understand what you mean, they think Idont preach enough doctrinal sermons and havesent you to request me to do so, and you wanted toarrange a compromise.The Deacon was slightly annoyed—he had hopedto evade plain statements.Take this answer back to them, that, as soonas the opportunity presents and I feel equal to theoccasion, I will preach a doctrinal sermon.The Deacon breathed a sigh of relief and leanedback in his chair. I knew you would see it as Ido, and that will arrange matters nicely—verynicely.—The thumb went back to his button holeand his admiration for bis own cleverness increased.There is another matter, a very slight matter,I have not given it the slightest consideration, butpeople will talk you know, especially when apreacher is unmarried. Ive always said, Shameon you for your gossip, dont you know your pastor will choose his society well, and give a preference to his flock? There was something in thepastors eye that checked him—0, of course Iknow there is nothing in it—I merely mentionedthe fact.He arose and reached for his hat. By the
Source:	http://indstate.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/isuarchive/id/33872
Collection:	Indiana State University Archives

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