The first minister was too old; he would not suit the young folks.  The second, just out of the seminary, was too young; the old folks said he had not experience.  The third had experience.  He had been in a parish three years.  He was still young, with the elastic hopes and strong enthusiasm of youth.  But he was a bachelor.  The people pretty universally declared that the minister should have a wife and a house.  The women all said there must be somebody to organize the sewing circles, and to lead the female prayer-meetings.  The fourth was married, but he had three or four children.  We could not support him.  The fifth was a most learned man, who told us the original Greek or Hebrew of his texts, and, morning or evening, never came nearer to America than Rome under Augustus C‘sar.  He was dull.  The sixth afforded us a most brilliant pyrotechnic display.  He spluttered, and fizzed, and banged, as though Fourth of July himself had taken orders and gone to preaching.  The young people were carried away.  But the old folks all said he was sensational.

Then, besides those we have heard, there are several we have talked about.  There is the Rev. Mr. C—­ who has the reputation of being a most excellent pastor.  He is indefatigable in visiting the sick, in comforting the afflicted, in dealing with the recreant and the unconverted.  But Mr. Wheaton says emphatically he will never do for our people.  “He is no preacher, Mr. Laicus,” says he; “and our people demand first-rate preaching.  We must have a man that can draw.”

We talked over Mr. K—.  He is a rare preacher, by all accounts.  I understand that his health has suffered somewhat by excessive study, and he would like another parish, a quieter one, where he can have more time to his study, and can use his old sermons.  He preached once or twice in exchange with our old pastor before he left.  But Solomon Hardcap would not hear of him, and even Deacon Goodsole shook his head at his suggestion, “He is not social,” said the Deacon.  “He does not know half the people in Highkrik, where he has been settled for over five years.  He often passes his best friend without noticing him, on the street.”  “Never would do,” says Mr. Hardcap.  “He only visits his people once a year.  I want to know my minister.  We want a man who will run in and out as though he cared for us.  Preaching is all very well, but we don’t want a minister who is all talk.”

I am in despair.  And despite the breach of ecclesiastical etiquette, I have resolved to resort to advertising.  I have not submitted my advertisement to the other members of the committee, but I am sure that it is in accord with the general feelings of the Church.

“Jennie, what do you think of my sending this advertisement to the Christian Union?”