The Pastor's Visit

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Aug 15, 1878

The Pastor's Visit.

It is said of Dr. Heman Humphrey, that in the early part of his ministry—perhaps his first pastoral charge—a member of the congregation, whom for convenience we will call farmer Jones, took a great dislike to him, regarding him as an upstart and a fop, and declared that he would never go to hear him again, nor permit any of his family to do so, and that if he ever visited his house he would send him out! The matter coming to the ears of the pastor, he concluded that was the very family, above all others that needed a visit. Accordingly, on the first leisure day he put his thought into execution, resolving, however, that on that occasion he would not say a word on the subject of religion, or about church matters. On his arrival at the house, he received a cordial welcome from Mrs. Jones. After a few of the ordinary compliments about the weather, health, etc., he inquired for Mr. Jones. The lady, with some apparent trepidation, answered that he was in the field cutting grain. Mr. Humphrey proposed to walk out and see him, as he thought it not proper to call him in from his harvest work. The lady, with a trembling voice, advised him not to do so, frankly stating that Mr. Jones had taken such a strange dislike to him that she feared he would insult him. "Oh, certainly not," said Mr. Humphrey; "and if I have done anything to offend him, I all the more wish to see him, so that I may make it right." And, being pointed the way, he made for the field, and found farmer Jones there alone, just as he had finished a "round," and was whetting his scythe for another. Laying down the cradle he gave the pastor a slight recognition with a nod over his left shoulder in reply to his hearty "good morning" then stepped aside to help himself to a drink of water. Meanwhile Mr. Humphrey picked up the cradle, felt the edge of the newly-whetted scythe, remarking, "It has a keen edge. I should think this a good scythe." "Very good," said Mr. Jones, rather pleased at the compliment to his trusty blade. Then taking it by the handle as if to try the heft and hang of the cradle, Mr. Humphrey gave it a little swing, remarking, "I believe I could cradle with that instrument pretty well myself. With your leave Mr. Jones, I'll try it a round." Surprised that the parson should make any pretensions in that direction, Mr. Jones answered, "all right," and following after him he soon discovered that the parson was no novice at the business. The round accomplished, Mr. Humphrey handed back the cradle with an additional compliment to its excellency. Then said Mr. Jones, "Won't you come into the house with me, Mr Humphrey?" "Well, yes," said the latter, "if it will not be a trespass on your time." "Oh, no," said Jones, looking at the sun, "it's pretty near noon at any rate, and you will stay and take dinner with us." To the house they went. In due time the good wife had the dinner ready, and a good dinner it was. On invitation by the host, the parson asked a blessing; then the dinner disposed of, and after an hour or two of pleasant conversation, Mr. Humphrey bade them good-bye, which was followed by a cordial invitation, "Call again."

The next day, Farmer J., meeting one of his neighbors, said to him, with an air of no little satisfaction, "The parson called to see me yesterday, and cradled a round. I used to think I was something of a cradler, but, I tell you, the parson can beat me." On the following Sabbath Mr. J., with his family, was at church, and not long after was converted, became a fast friend of the pastor, and a devoted and useful Christian—Sel.