Wright American Fiction

Search Options

page: (Halftitle) [View Page (Halftitle) ]Switch to Image ModeCLOSE Page (Halftitle)

page: (TitlePage) [View Page (TitlePage) ]Switch to Image ModeCLOSE Page (TitlePage)

page: 5[View Page 5]Switch to Image ModeCLOSE Page 5

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1858, by L. D. DAVIS, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District of New-York.

INTRODUCTION.

THE writer of this volume, on a former occasion, attempted a delineation of pastoral life in the itinerant ministry, and sought to show the practical workings of that system in relation to those who fill the sacred office. It is his effort in these pages to illustrate the influence of the same system on the laity of the Church. He also hopes to aid in correcting such evils as may be found to exist, most of which, as he humbly believes page: 6-7[View Page 6-7]Switch to Image ModeCLOSE Page 6-7 lieves, may be easily removed by the united efforts of the pastors and their people.

On both occasions the narrative form has been adopted as better calculated to secure the result. The characters drawn are believed, without a single exception, to have their counterpart in real life. Indeed many of them may be found in every Church, though a wider range than any single congregation must be taken to include them all.

As in "Life in the Itinerancy" some persons within the author's acquaintance have considered themselves personally referred to, it is anticipated that similar complaints may arise in regard to "Life in the Laity." If so, let such be assured that nothing of the kind is intended. If the reader finds the description appropriate and is inclined to make the application to himself, he is at liberty to do so at his pleasure, and it is to be hoped to his profit.

It may be thought by some that the delineation is too much confined to the wrongs that are found existing among us. It is true that these have a prominent place in the narrative, from the fact that it is to their removal the volume aims. The majority of the laity are true to the interests of religion and the Church, and such is the representation here given. But there is almost everywhere page: 8-9 (Table of Contents) [View Page 8-9 (Table of Contents) ]Switch to Image ModeCLOSE Page 8-9 (Table of Contents) where a restless minority, a class of small-minded persons, who contrive in public, as in these pages, to occupy positions of greatest notoriety, and who not unfrequently bring contempt on the institutions of the Gospel. Whether we desire it or not, these thrust themselves on our attention at all times and on all occasions.

Thankful for the favorable reception which has been given to his former work, the author submits these pages with the encouraging hope that their influence for good will not be altogether in vain.

CONTENTS.

• CHAPTER I. THE VILLAGE OF BERLIN—A REVIVAL—REV. MR. BLISS—OPPOSITION—THE CONVERTS—JOSEPH AMES—NEW ASSOCIATIONS—THE STATION. PAGE 13
• CHAPTER II. TESTS OF CHARACTER—AN INCONSISTENCY—ITS INFLUENCE—A CHANGE OF PASTORS—THE ITINERANCY—BACKSLIDINGS. 22
• CHAPTER III. A NEW STAND-POINT—THE BOARD OF STEWARDS—MR. VERNON—MR. GRAY—FATHER WELLS—MR. PUTNAM AND OTHERS. 35
• CHAPTER IV. REV. MR. OLEY—ONE-IDEA MEN—DISAFFECTION—SPEAKING EVIL OF THE CHURCH—AN ENCOURAGEMENT. 40
• page: 10-11 (Table of Contents) [View Page 10-11 (Table of Contents) ]Switch to Image ModeCLOSE Page 10-11 (Table of Contents)
• CHAPTER V. THE APPROACHING CONFERENCE—NOVELTY—DISCUSSION OF MINISTERIAL CHARACTER—A MISTAKE—FAREWELL TOKEN—MUTUAL PLEASURE. PAGE 49
• CHAPTER VI. THE PREACHER'S SALARY—RAISING A DEFICIENCY—EXCUSES—SCHOOL FOR THE STUDY OF HUMAN NATURE—LESSONS. 55
• CHAPTER VII. REV. MR. WILSON—FIRST IMPRESSIONS—VARIETY OF OPINIONS—A DECLENSION—REMEDY. 66
• CHAPTER VIII. LOSS AND GAIN—A REACTION—REPAIRING THE PARSONAGE—SELF-DENIAL OF THE FATHERS—FURNITURE—THE FESTIVAL—RENEWED PROSPERITY—ITS CAUSE. 78
• CHAPTER IX. PETITIONING FOR A PREACHER—CONTENDING FOR A PRINCIPLE—DIVERSITY OF OPINION—REV. MR. DUNN—A LOBBY MEMBER AT CONFERENCE—SUCCESS. 87
• CHAPTER X. THE FIRST QUARTERLY CONFERENCE—MAKING AN "ALLOWANCE"—A STRIKE—DISCUSSION—THE SALARY RAISED—THE DONATION VISIT—A MISTAKE CORRECTED. 95
• CHAPTER XI. PLEADING POVERTY—PUNISHING THE PREACHER—MEANNESS—ITS INFLUENCE. 110
• CHAPTER XII. BROTHER GRAY AT CONFERENCE—REV. MR. SPENCER—A CHEAP PREACHER PROCURED—THE LOAVES AND FISHES. 118
• CHAPTER XIII. SICKNESS AND DEATH OF BROTHER VERNON—HIS CHARACTER AND INFLUENCE—THE LOSS. 127
• CHAPTER XIV. DISCOURAGEMENTS—GOING ABROAD TO WORSHIP—REV. MR. NELSON—REDUCING THE SALARY ON A NEW PRINCIPLE—A CHEAP GOSPEL—RENTING PEWS SO AS TO MAKE MONEY. 132
• page: 12 (Table of Contents) -13[View Page 12 (Table of Contents) -13]Switch to Image ModeCLOSE Page 12 (Table of Contents) -13
• CHAPTER XV. CHARITY BEGINNING AT HOME—TAKING BREATH—THE BIBLE AGENT—SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION—THE MISSIONARY COLLECTION—A CENT A WEEK FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE WORLD—MR. TITUS—FIFTH COLLECTION—BROTHER QUIGLEY AND HIS TWO SHILLINGS. PAGE 147
• CHAPTER XVI. CHANGES IN THE OFFICIAL BOARD—DOING WITHOUT A PREACHER—BROTHER BURNS—A CHURCH DOLLAR—REV. MR. TOWNLEY—CHURCH REPAIRS. 162
• CHAPTER XVII. UNEXPECTED CHANGE OF PASTORS—SHORT TERMS—THEIR INFLUENCE—REV. MR. GOLDEN—CALLING ON THE PREACHER'S WIFE. 175
• CHAPTER XVIII. PASTORAL VISITING—BROTHER BENTON—SISTER QUIGLEY—A GREAT REVIVAL AND ITS FRUITS—REMOVAL OF THE PASTOR. 185
• CHAPTER XIX. RESULTS OF THE REVIVAL—REVIEW—ATTAINMENTS—CONCLUSION. 195